Our country is divided, and religion often complicates matters further, with many people growing up thinking there’s only one right way. As a Believer, I recognize that we don’t all hold the same beliefs, even when faced with atheists who do not believe in God. I can hold firm to my faith while respecting others’ perspectives.
Estraletta and I have had the fortune to travel worldwide and immerse ourselves in different cultures. Even where we do not know the language, we can bridge communication through dancing, a universal language. We’ve danced worldwide, and at this year’s ACBSP Conference, I had the opportunity to teach dance lessons.
I was thrilled when asked to teach Salsa lessons at the conference, though I knew some of my Latin colleagues might be skeptical of an agenda item that read, “Saturday, 3 pm Salsa Lessons with Daryl Green.” They might think, “This guy isn’t Latin.” I couldn’t wait for the curious looks and questions during the dance session—that’s a story for another time.
During our stay in Miami, Estraletta wanted to visit Little Havana. I was open but unsure of what to expect. We navigated from our hotel to a good parking location and stopped at a nearby park. It was an evening of singing and dancing. Who is Latin? Who can speak Spanish? What I found was that people enjoyed the culture. We fit right in.
Dancing has been a great communication tool for us, and at Little Havana, we experienced this firsthand. We are still growing our cultural intelligence, and dance provides a good opening for discussions about diversity and inclusion.
I learned a lot in Little Havana. It reminded me that while our beliefs and backgrounds differ, we can always find common ground. The ACBSP Conference reaffirmed this belief with its rich tapestry of diverse cultures and ideas. Let us continue to embrace and celebrate our differences, finding unity in our shared human experiences.