Currently, as a young eighteen year old, I find myself challenging social norms... otherwise known as social constructs. I feel this way because I do not believe there should be one "right" way to live, or rather, one specific standard of what to like, or how to like it, or in the most basic terms, how to live.
So to me, aspects of pluralism do sound like a good idea. Certainly, there will always be differences between groups of people, whether it is within our culture or religion, or economic situation... or even just how we have been wired as human beings. Regardless of our differences, there is certainly beauty to be found inside of them. Recently this summer, I traveled to Nicaragua with a social enterprise/non-profit called The Pulsera Project. In the most simple of terms, the project employs Nicaraguans to make pulseras...(which is just spanish for bracelet) while having fair working conditions and wages. Nicaraguans can then support their families and live a more sustainable life. Additionally, it helps to educate US American students and teachers on Nicaraguan culture, which makes it a cultural exchange. There was a lot to be learned on this trip, but an overall message was that one way of life, one culture is not better than another. There are always strengths and weaknesses to both, there are always different pieces we can take from both to fill in the gaps that both sides hold. So, while this is an example of the larger scale of things (when we're talking about two very different countries,) the same thing can be said for the everyday people here in the United States.
While I think there are certainly importances to pluralism, because clearly, at the core of it all, we are all just humans trying to make it through our days, we should be able to recognize the differences of one another we are faced with to better ourselves as an entire society, rather than putting everyone in one category. If we can be okay, and content with the differences of one another, without passing judgement, and having humility together as a society, we can grow more together. In the end, although it may not be the easiest, we will still come to a point of understanding. This understanding will continue to grow society, and as time progresses, we will come closer and closer together.
