speech on unity and diversity

CBSE Class 10th
CBSE Class 12th
UP Board 10th
UP Board 12th
Bihar Board 10th
Bihar Board 12th
Top Schools in India
Top Schools in Delhi
Top Schools in Mumbai
Top Schools in Chennai
Top Schools in Hyderabad
Top Schools in Kolkata
Top Schools in Pune
Top Schools in Bangalore

Products & Resources

JEE Main Knockout April
Free Sample Papers
Free Ebooks
NCERT Notes
NCERT Syllabus
NCERT Books
RD Sharma Solutions
Navodaya Vidyalaya Admission 2024-25
NCERT Solutions
NCERT Solutions for Class 12
NCERT Solutions for Class 11
NCERT solutions for Class 10
NCERT solutions for Class 9
NCERT solutions for Class 8
NCERT Solutions for Class 7
JEE Main 2024
MHT CET 2024
JEE Advanced 2024
BITSAT 2024
View All Engineering Exams
Colleges Accepting B.Tech Applications
Top Engineering Colleges in India
Engineering Colleges in India
Engineering Colleges in Tamil Nadu
Engineering Colleges Accepting JEE Main
Top IITs in India
Top NITs in India
Top IIITs in India
JEE Main College Predictor
JEE Main Rank Predictor
MHT CET College Predictor
AP EAMCET College Predictor
GATE College Predictor
KCET College Predictor
JEE Advanced College Predictor
View All College Predictors
JEE Main Question Paper
JEE Main Cutoff
JEE Main Advanced Admit Card
AP EAPCET Hall Ticket
Download E-Books and Sample Papers
Compare Colleges
B.Tech College Applications
KCET Result
MAH MBA CET Exam
View All Management Exams

Colleges & Courses

MBA College Admissions
MBA Colleges in India
Top IIMs Colleges in India
Top Online MBA Colleges in India
MBA Colleges Accepting XAT Score
BBA Colleges in India
XAT College Predictor 2024
SNAP College Predictor
NMAT College Predictor
MAT College Predictor 2024
CMAT College Predictor 2024
CAT Percentile Predictor 2023
CAT 2023 College Predictor
CMAT 2024 Admit Card
TS ICET 2024 Hall Ticket
CMAT Result 2024
MAH MBA CET Cutoff 2024
Download Helpful Ebooks
List of Popular Branches
QnA - Get answers to your doubts
IIM Fees Structure
AIIMS Nursing
Top Medical Colleges in India
Top Medical Colleges in India accepting NEET Score
Medical Colleges accepting NEET
List of Medical Colleges in India
List of AIIMS Colleges In India
Medical Colleges in Maharashtra
Medical Colleges in India Accepting NEET PG
NEET College Predictor
NEET PG College Predictor
NEET MDS College Predictor
NEET Rank Predictor
DNB PDCET College Predictor
NEET Admit Card 2024
NEET PG Application Form 2024
NEET Cut off
NEET Online Preparation
Download Helpful E-books
Colleges Accepting Admissions
Top Law Colleges in India
Law College Accepting CLAT Score
List of Law Colleges in India
Top Law Colleges in Delhi
Top NLUs Colleges in India
Top Law Colleges in Chandigarh
Top Law Collages in Lucknow

Predictors & E-Books

CLAT College Predictor
MHCET Law ( 5 Year L.L.B) College Predictor
AILET College Predictor
Sample Papers
Compare Law Collages
Careers360 Youtube Channel
CLAT Syllabus 2025
CLAT Previous Year Question Paper
NID DAT Exam
Pearl Academy Exam

Predictors & Articles

NIFT College Predictor
UCEED College Predictor
NID DAT College Predictor
NID DAT Syllabus 2025
NID DAT 2025
Design Colleges in India
Top NIFT Colleges in India
Fashion Design Colleges in India
Top Interior Design Colleges in India
Top Graphic Designing Colleges in India
Fashion Design Colleges in Delhi
Fashion Design Colleges in Mumbai
Top Interior Design Colleges in Bangalore
NIFT Result 2024
NIFT Fees Structure
NIFT Syllabus 2025
Free Design E-books
List of Branches
Careers360 Youtube channel
IPU CET BJMC
JMI Mass Communication Entrance Exam
IIMC Entrance Exam
Media & Journalism colleges in Delhi
Media & Journalism colleges in Bangalore
Media & Journalism colleges in Mumbai
List of Media & Journalism Colleges in India
CA Intermediate
CA Foundation
CS Executive
CS Professional
Difference between CA and CS
Difference between CA and CMA
CA Full form
CMA Full form
CS Full form
CA Salary In India

Top Courses & Careers

Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com)
Master of Commerce (M.Com)
Company Secretary
Cost Accountant
Charted Accountant
Credit Manager
Financial Advisor
Top Commerce Colleges in India
Top Government Commerce Colleges in India
Top Private Commerce Colleges in India
Top M.Com Colleges in Mumbai
Top B.Com Colleges in India
IT Colleges in Tamil Nadu
IT Colleges in Uttar Pradesh
MCA Colleges in India
BCA Colleges in India

Diploma Colleges

Top Diploma Colleges in Maharashtra
UPSC IAS 2024
SSC CGL 2024
IBPS RRB 2024
Previous Year Sample Papers
Free Competition E-books
Sarkari Result
QnA- Get your doubts answered
UPSC Previous Year Sample Papers
CTET Previous Year Sample Papers
SBI Clerk Previous Year Sample Papers
NDA Previous Year Sample Papers

Upcoming Events

NDA Application Form 2024
UPSC IAS Application Form 2024
CDS Application Form 2024
CTET Admit card 2024
HP TET Result 2023
SSC GD Constable Admit Card 2024
UPTET Notification 2024
SBI Clerk Result 2024

Other Exams

SSC CHSL 2024
UP PCS 2024
UGC NET 2024
RRB NTPC 2024
IBPS PO 2024
IBPS Clerk 2024
IBPS SO 2024
Top University in USA
Top University in Canada
Top University in Ireland
Top Universities in UK
Top Universities in Australia
Best MBA Colleges in Abroad
Business Management Studies Colleges

Top Countries

Study in USA
Study in UK
Study in Canada
Study in Australia
Study in Ireland
Study in Germany
Study in China
Study in Europe

Student Visas

Student Visa Canada
Student Visa UK
Student Visa USA
Student Visa Australia
Student Visa Germany
Student Visa New Zealand
Student Visa Ireland
CUET PG 2024
IGNOU B.Ed Admission 2024
DU Admission 2024
UP B.Ed JEE 2024
LPU NEST 2024
IIT JAM 2024
IGNOU Online Admission 2024
Universities in India
Top Universities in India 2024
Top Colleges in India
Top Universities in Uttar Pradesh 2024
Top Universities in Bihar
Top Universities in Madhya Pradesh 2024
Top Universities in Tamil Nadu 2024
Central Universities in India
CUET Exam City Intimation Slip 2024
IGNOU Date Sheet
CUET Mock Test 2024
CUET Admit card 2024
CUET PG Syllabus 2024
CUET Participating Universities 2024
CUET Previous Year Question Paper
CUET Syllabus 2024 for Science Students
E-Books and Sample Papers
CUET Exam Pattern 2024
CUET Exam Date 2024
CUET Cut Off 2024
CUET Exam Analysis 2024
IGNOU Exam Form 2024
CUET 2024 Exam Live
CUET Answer Key 2024

Engineering Preparation

Knockout JEE Main 2024
Test Series JEE Main 2024
JEE Main 2024 Rank Booster

Medical Preparation

Knockout NEET 2024
Test Series NEET 2024
Rank Booster NEET 2024

Online Courses

JEE Main One Month Course
NEET One Month Course
IBSAT Free Mock Tests
IIT JEE Foundation Course
Knockout BITSAT 2024
Career Guidance Tool

Top Streams

IT & Software Certification Courses
Engineering and Architecture Certification Courses
Programming And Development Certification Courses
Business and Management Certification Courses
Marketing Certification Courses
Health and Fitness Certification Courses
Design Certification Courses

Specializations

Digital Marketing Certification Courses
Cyber Security Certification Courses
Artificial Intelligence Certification Courses
Business Analytics Certification Courses
Data Science Certification Courses
Cloud Computing Certification Courses
Machine Learning Certification Courses
View All Certification Courses
UG Degree Courses
PG Degree Courses
Short Term Courses
Free Courses
Online Degrees and Diplomas
Compare Courses

Top Providers

Coursera Courses
Udemy Courses
Edx Courses
Swayam Courses
upGrad Courses
Simplilearn Courses
Great Learning Courses

Speech On Unity In Diversity - 10 Lines, Short and Long Speech

Speech on unity in diversity.

From the different colours of our skin to the various cultures and traditions we come from, it is our differences that make us special and unique. But it is not enough to recognize and appreciate these differences. It is vital that we also strive for unity, for it is only through an agreement that we can truly thrive as a society. As the famous quote by Martin Luther King Jr. says, "We may have all come on different ships, but we are in the same boat now." Here are some sample speeches on unity in diversity.

10 Line Speech On Unity In Diversity

Unity in diversity is the idea that despite our differences, we can come together and work towards a common goal.

It is important to respect and embrace the differences of others and seek to understand their perspectives and experiences.

Unity in diversity can create a sense of community and belong and contribute to the overall strength and success of society.

There are many examples of unity in diversity in the world, from the various cultures and traditions that make up our communities to the diverse backgrounds and experiences of individuals.

Unity in diversity is not about ignoring or erasing our differences but rather about celebrating and embracing them.

It is only through unity that we can truly thrive as a society and work towards creating a more inclusive and harmonious world.

Unity in diversity can be achieved through open communication and dialogue, as well as a willingness to listen and learn from one another.

It is essential to recognize that unity in diversity is not a one-time effort but rather a continuous process of understanding and respecting others.

By embracing unity in diversity, we can create a more compassionate and understanding world where everyone is valued and included.

The beauty and strength of unity in diversity is something that should be celebrated and embraced, as it is through our differences that we can indeed come together and thrive as a society.

Short Speech On Unity In Diversity

Unity in diversity is the idea that we can come together despite our differences and work towards a common goal. It is a concept rooted in the belief that diversity enriches and strengthens society and that unity is the key to creating a harmonious and prosperous community.

From the various cultures and traditions that make up our communities to the diverse backgrounds and experiences of individuals, This diversity is what makes our world unique and special, and it is crucial that we embrace and celebrate it. It is important that we also strive for unity, for it is only through unity that we can truly thrive as a society. As the famous quote by Mahatma Gandhi states, "Unity in diversity is the highest possible attainment of a civilization, a testimony to the noblest possibilities of the human race."

How Do We Achieve Unity In The Midst Of Diversity?

It starts with respect and understanding. We must respect and embrace the differences of others and seek to understand their perspectives and experiences. By doing so, we can create a sense of community and belong and work towards a common goal of creating a harmonious society. It is through our differences that we can truly enrich and strengthen society, and it is vital that we embrace and celebrate them. By striving for unity, we can create a more harmonious and successful world.

Long Speech On Unity In Diversity

As the quote by Desmond Tutu says, "If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner."

Unity in diversity is a concept that is essential to the success and well-being of any society. It refers to the idea that despite our differences, we can come together and work towards a common goal. This concept is not about ignoring or erasing our differences but rather about celebrating and embracing them and recognizing that it is through our diversity that we can truly thrive as a society.

Example Of Unity In Diversity

In India, for example, there are over 1,600 languages spoken, and numerous religions and cultural practices coexist alongside one another (Reference: Census of India, 2011). This diversity is celebrated in the country's motto, "Unity in diversity," which highlights the importance of coming together despite our differences. But unity in diversity is not just about celebrating and embracing differences; it is also about respecting and understanding them.

Achieving Unity In Diversity In Practice

It starts with open communication and dialogue, as well as a willingness to listen and learn from one another. By coming together and listening to one another, we can learn from each other's experiences and create a sense of community and belonging. It is also essential to recognize that unity in diversity is not a one-time effort but rather a continuous process of understanding and respecting others.

As the old saying goes, "Rome wasn't built in a day," and it takes time and effort to create and maintain unity in diversity. In fact, it is often during times of conflict and disagreement that the importance of unity in diversity becomes most evident. By coming together and working towards a common goal, we can find solutions to even the most difficult problems and challenges.

Belongingness and community | Unity in diversity can lead to increased productivity and economic growth, as well as a decrease in crime and social unrest. As the quote by the Greek philosopher Xenophon states, "A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in." By embracing unity in diversity, we can create a more compassionate and understanding world where everyone is valued and included.

Unity in diversity is about celebrating and embracing our differences and seeking to understand and respect the perspectives and experiences of others. By embracing unity in diversity, we can create a more inclusive, compassionate, and understanding world where everyone is valued and included.

However, it is not enough to recognize and appreciate our differences. It is crucial that we also strive for unity, for it is only through unity that we can truly thrive as a society. As the saying goes, "unity is strength." When we come together and work towards a common goal, we are able to accomplish so much more than we could individually.

Applications for Admissions are open.

Aakash iACST Scholarship Test 2024

Get up to 90% scholarship on NEET, JEE & Foundation courses

ALLEN Digital Scholarship Admission Test (ADSAT)

JEE Main Important Physics formulas

As per latest 2024 syllabus. Physics formulas, equations, & laws of class 11 & 12th chapters

PW JEE Coaching

Enrol in PW Vidyapeeth center for JEE coaching

PW NEET Coaching

Enrol in PW Vidyapeeth center for NEET coaching

JEE Main Important Chemistry formulas

As per latest 2024 syllabus. Chemistry formulas, equations, & laws of class 11 & 12th chapters

Download Careers360 App's

Regular exam updates, QnA, Predictors, College Applications & E-books now on your Mobile

Certifications

We Appeared in

Speech Topics For Kids
Speech on Unity In Diversity

Speech on Unity in Diversity

Unity in diversity is a term used to praise the feeling of togetherness shown by people. There is a Swahili proverb that says, “Unity is strength, division is weakness.” Do you want to know more about the power of unity? Use this article for more information regarding the topic and present an enlightening speech on unity in diversity.

Unity in diversity speech in english, one-minute speech on unity in diversity, speech on unity in diversity in 150 words, top quotes to use in a speech on unity in diversity, frequently asked questions on unity in diversity, sample speeches on unity in diversity.

A couple of sample speeches on unity in diversity are given below. Go through them and utilise the resource to better understand the topic.

As we all know, India is a secular country. We, in India, are diverse in language, religion, culture, etc. Despite all these differences, there exists a remarkable sense of unity among us, which is why India is presented before the world as a nation that exhibits unity in diversity.

In India, there are nearly 1.38 billion people, and all of them share different thoughts and ideologies. The freedom struggle for Indian independence is enough to highlight the unity in diversity of our nation. People belonging to different religious and cultural beliefs unitedly fought in the movements for the liberation of our nation.

India is one of the world’s largest countries and has people believing in various religions, and each of these religions has got its religious festivals. The people of India speak numerous languages like English, Sanskrit, Hindi, Bhojpuri, Punjabi, Marathi, Gujarati, Malayalam, Tamil, Odia, and so on. In spite of all these diversities, everyone lives in India with a strong love for the nation. It is this love that brings people together. It is never an easy thing to bring unity among these people. Nationalism and patriotism play a vital role in uniting the people of India. Unity in diversity increases the harmony and peace of a nation, and it shows the strength of a nation.

Unity in diversity is a dream for many nations and organisations. In 2000, the European Union adopted “Unity in Diversity” as their official motto. The adoption of this motto highlighted the unity of diverse nations who were members of the European Union. This concept is integral for the betterment of human society. People have to develop faith in such uniting concepts. Then only can the world bloom in its full colours. People have to respect and love each other irrespective of their differences. With such virtues developed, people can easily eradicate civil challenges like discrimination and oppression from society. Let’s unite together and spread love for a better world.

Unity in diversity can be stated as a conceptualisation for uniting people with different characteristics. The concept of secularism and unity in diversity has been used in our nation since time immemorial to symbolise the unity of people under one title – India. The thought of unity in diversity helps individuals to accept people. People start respecting the individuality of living beings, value their uniqueness, and respect the opinions of the people. It develops a trust and connection between the people. Such coordination helps in effective decision making and aids in the growth of the nation. By improving mutual respect, solutions for various social issues, riots and other disturbances can be easily attained. It helps to reduce the hatred among the people and increases the overall contentment of the nation.

“Unity, to be real, must stand the severest strain without breaking.” – Mahatma Gandhi.
“Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization.” – Mahatma Gandhi.
“There is beauty and power in unity. We must be united in heart and mind. One world, one people.” – Lailah Gifty Akita.
“Unity is strength…when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.” – Mattie Stepanek.
“Find the good. Seek the unity. Ignore the divisions among us.” – Aristotle.
“There is more power in unity than division.” – Emanuel Cleaver.
“Unity, not uniformity, must be our aim. We attain unity only through variety. Differences must be integrated, not annihilated, not absorbed.” – Mary Parker Follett.
“Only humility will lead us to unity, and unity will lead to peace.” – Mother Teresa.
“Even the weak become strong when they are united.” – Friedrich Schiller.
“So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.- Bahaullah.

What is the importance of unity in diversity?

Unity in diversity can be stated as a conceptualisation for uniting people with different characteristics. People can easily eradicate civil challenges like discrimination and oppression from society with such concepts. Unity in diversity increases the harmony and peace of a nation, and it shows the strength of a nation.

How is India an example of unity in diversity?

In India, people are diverse in language, religion, culture, festivals, etc. Despite all these differences, a remarkable sense of unity exists among us. That is why India is presented before the world as a nation that exhibits unity in diversity.

List some quotes to use in a speech on unity in diversity.

“Unity, to be real, must stand the severest strain without breaking.” – Mahatma Gandhi.
“Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization.” – Mahatma Gandhi.
“There is beauty and power in unity. We must be united in heart and mind. One world, one people.” – Lailah Gifty Akita.

Register with BYJU'S & Download Free PDFs

Talk to our experts

1800-120-456-456

Speech on Unity in Diversity

Unity in Diversity

Unity in diversity is defined as the concept of showing unity without uniformity and diversity without fragmentation. It is used to show the unity between a group of individuals despite them being from different religions or cultures. India is a 5000 years old civilization and a land of rich diversity. Individuals from different religions live in peace. India is considered the best example of unity in diversity.

Below two speeches on unity in diversity are given, a long speech on unity in diversity in India and a short speech on unity in diversity. Students can refer to both these speeches to give an impactful speech about unity in diversity.

Long Speech on Unity In Diversity In India

Good morning everyone! I would like to give a speech on unity in diversity in India to celebrate the auspicious moments of Republic day.

India has a history of being the oldest civilization in the world which dates back to 5000 years. India is home to 1.7 billion people and almost 10,00,650 different languages are spoken. Some people follow different religions and cultural backgrounds and because of that India is considered a secular country. Despite the difference in caste, creed, and religion, Indians show a sense of unity among each other which could vary from celebrating each other’s festivals or singing the national anthem with pride. That is why India is a land that shows unity in diversity.

The term unity in diversity relates to the togetherness or integrity shown by people despite the presence of infinite diversity.

From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, there are different regions in India and each region shows different cultures and traditions. Unity in diversity in India is living proof that despite different religions, cultures, and languages people of India live together with love and peace.

Unity in diversity is a unique feature of our country that binds everyone together to maintain peace and brotherhood. The best example of unity in diversity was shown by our freedom fighters during their fight for independence against British rule. Unity in diversity played an important part in bringing unity among our freedom fighters as the group consisted of people from different religions. But they didn’t consider the part that there are people of different religions as all they wanted was freedom. So united together they made sure that we get independence.

Though there are different communities in India like Kannadigas, Malayalis, Maharashtrians, or Gujaratis, the fact that remains constant is that we have remained united despite the difference and divisions in caste or creed.

Yes, I do agree that there have been differences between Hindu and Muslim communities concerning their ideologies and rituals. But these differences are caused by the brainwashing that is done by a few politicians for their benefit. We can see that both Hindu and Muslims live together and have respect for each other’s beliefs. The Muslims send greeting cards and sweets to their Hindu friends whenever there is a major festival like Diwali and the same gesture is shown by Hindus during Eid. This alone is enough to describe the unity among the Hindus and the Muslims in India.

Unity in diversity is very important for our country as we know it’s very easy to divide people based on their beliefs, cultures, ideology, etc. But if we the people of India show unity despite all the differences it will in turn help in maintaining national integration, people can live and work together peacefully. If unity is shown by people, it will give us global recognition. Last but not least, unity in diversity will help in the growth and development of our country.

I would like to conclude my speech by saying that “United we are strong, divided we fall”. The concept of unity in diversity instructs that although we are from different castes, creeds, or races these variations cannot keep us divided and we should always be united for the growth of our country.

Short Speech on Unity In Diversity

Good morning everyone! Today, I am going to give a short speech on unity in diversity. India is considered to be the oldest civilization in the world and is home to 1.7 billion people. In India, 10,00,650 different languages are spoken and every year 30 different festivals are celebrated that is why India is called a secular country.

Despite the difference in caste, creed, and religion, Indians show a sense of unity among each other which could be celebrating each other’s festivals with joy or cheering for team India victory with enthusiasm. That is the reason India is said to be the land that shows Unity in diversity.

The term unity in diversity relates to the togetherness or integrity shown by people despite the presence of infinite diversity. India is the birthplace of many religions like Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism. Over the years many people migrated and settled in India which resulted in bringing more religions such as Islam, Christianity to our country. This is proof of the diversity that India has and despite different cultures and religions, the people of India live with each other with respect and gratitude.

Unity in diversity is very important for our country as we know it’s very easy to divide people based on their beliefs, cultures, ideology, etc. But if we the people of India show unity despite all the differences it will in turn help in maintaining national integration, people can live and work together peacefully. If unity is shown by people it will give us global recognition. Last but not least unity in diversity will help in the growth and development of our country.

I would like to conclude my speech by saying we all should remember that if we are “united we are strong and if divided we will fall”. The concept of unity helps us to realize that we are Indians first and only together as Indians, we can help in making our country great.

10 Lines on Unity In Diversity Speech In English

India has a history of being the oldest civilization in the world which dates back to 5000 years. India is home to 1.7 billion people and almost 1000650 different languages are spoken.

India is a home for people who follow different religions and cultural backgrounds and because of that India is considered a secular country.

Indians show a sense of unity among each other despite the difference in caste, creed, and religion.

The term unity in diversity relates to the togetherness or integrity shown by people despite the presence of infinite diversity.

Unity in diversity in India is living proof that despite different religions, cultures, and languages people of India live together with love and peace.

There have been differences between Hindu and Muslim communities concerning their ideologies and rituals. But these differences are caused by the brainwashing that is done by a few politicians for their personal benefits.

Unity in diversity is very important for our country as we know it’s very easy to divide people based on their beliefs, cultures, ideology, etc.

Unity in diversity is very important for our country as it helps in maintaining national integration.

Unity in diversity helps people to live with peace and harmony and if the people of India are united it helps in the growth and development of the country.

Examples of Speeches on Unity in Diversity in History

You can look up the speeches mentioned below as a reference for good speech writing. Apart from these speeches, you can also look at the Speech Topics given on Vedantu for extra practice. Given below are a few short explanations of some iconic speeches on unity in diversity:

Martin Luther King Jr. "I Have a Dream"

The now famous historical figure of Martin Luther King Jr. made one of the most impactful speeches in history on the 28th of August 1963. In this speech, he passionately spoke about his dream of having a world without segregation of black and white people. His speech resonated so much with the listeners that it led to a widespread movement against segregation, eventually leading to the abolition of segregation.

Mahatma Gandhi "Quit India"

In this impassioned speech, Mahatma Gandhi implored all Indians to stand together and put aside their differences to fight for the common cause of Freedom for India. This was one of many similar speeches he made on the subject, and it became one of the turning points of the Indian Freedom Movement.

Nelson Mandela "I am Prepared to Die"

Nelson Mandela was a South African activist and politician who fought against the South African Apartheid regime. In this regime, black citizens of South Africa were treated as third-class citizens, while white citizens enjoyed more rights and privileges. This resulted in segregation that was so strict that black people were not even allowed to walk on the same streets as white people. This speech was one of the turning points in the anti-apartheid movement and was made in a courtroom during Nelson Mandela's trial for treason.

FAQs on Speech on Unity in Diversity

1. What does Unity in Diversity mean?

Unity refers to the concept of many parts or people coming together as one. This could be on a smaller scale of a few people coming together for a common cause, or it could be on a larger scale like different communities putting aside their differences and working together for the betterment of society.

Diversity refers to the natural and cultural differences between people. Diversity is a broad concept because human beings naturally have several differences based on factors like age, gender, cultural influences, religion, etc.

The concept of Unity in Diversity refers to the process of people coming together to work for a better society despite their individual differences. For example, it could mean different religions coming together to fight against discrimination.

2. How do speeches help in promoting unity in diversity?

When you take a look back at history, you will notice that many movements have one thing in common: all of them had eminent personalities as leaders and those leaders spread their message through the use of speeches.

By nature, speeches are meant to be impactful and emotional. They highlight the cause that is being advocated and create an emotional connection between the listeners and the cause. For example, when Mahatma Gandhi began promoting the Civil Disobedience Movement, he made many speeches in different places to highlight the need for a strong Quit India Movement.

Thus, speeches are one of the most common ways of promoting social causes like Unity in Diversity.

3. How to write a speech on unity in diversity?

To write a speech on Unity in Diversity, you need to understand the structure of a speech. Like most written works, every speech is divided into three parts – an introduction, body, and conclusion. Unlike other forms of writing, however, speeches are meant to be emotional and impactful. Statistics and numbers can be used to back up your message but they should not be the main focus of your speech.

For example, if you have figures that say that India has around a million different languages, instead of just presenting that as a fact, it should be made to back up a more emotional and impactful argument.

"India has close to a million different languages, proving our diversity in terms of language" – this sentence would be bland and boring. Instead, write something like, "India has existed for thousands of years and we have several major and minor religions and over a million languages. We have been conquered and exploited time and again throughout history. Yet, those rulers, those despots are gone, but Indians still stand strong!"

4. Where can I find more study resources for speech writing?

To find more resources to help you learn how to write speeches, you can browse the Vedantu website. If you're using a phone, you can also download the Vedantu Live Learning app, which helps you conveniently browse on your phone and sync your account information across devices. Speech writing is an important part of the English curriculum because of its highly impactful nature. The whole point of making speeches is to make the audience understand and sympathize with your point of view. Thus, speeches are used in many areas, from social and environmental activism, to corporate and commercial sectors.

5. How will the example speeches on Vedantu help?

Vedantu has a large number of example speeches written on various topics. These speeches have been provided as a reference. All of the speeches written have been created by educational professionals. Therefore, you can rest assured that all of the sample speeches provided are of the highest quality and strictly adhere to the board guidelines. By referring to these speeches, you get a convenient source of information as well as a simple, easy-to-understand structure that you can use while writing your own speeches.

Ruling Free and Equal Humans to Foster Peace, Unity, and Diversity

The social and political tumult we’ve witnessed in the United States and around the world this century has people questioning what is happening. Some see a parallel between our Internet age and the era following the Gutenberg Press. Both inventions made it cheap and easy to spread opinions that challenge the common ideas that bind a society together and make cooperation and community possible (Gurri 2018). It is good that ideas are challenged, and oppressive ideas give way to better things. But what is “better”?

One answer is found in President McKay’s and other inspired leaders’ vision that BYU-Hawaii would develop leaders who will foster international peace and respect ethnic and cultural diversity (Olsen 2005; Romney 1973).[1] This is indeed an ideal to strive towards, but how to accomplish it? And how can we reconcile the seemingly diametrically opposed ideals of unity and diversity – for too much unity can become stifling uniformity and destroy diversity, and too much diversity can detract from common values thereby undermining unity and peace.

The social polarization following the Gutenberg Press’s invention resulted in the most deadly and destructive war in Europe’s history. That war ended with the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648 that sought to impose peace and unity by consolidating power in sovereign rulers who, being advised by science, would rule society in a top-down manner. Another proposal for peace, adopted by many groups that fled Europe, was to disperse power and base leadership and rule on persuasion, compromise and consent (McCoy and Baker 1991; Hueglin 1999; Elazar and Kinciad 2000); Nelson 2010).

Two Types of Rule

These two proposals to create peace and unity exemplify two different types of rule. The first, and more common, is the rule of superiors over subordinates, where power is consolidated in elites who rule over subordinates (Ostrom 2008).[2]

The second type is rule shared between free and equal humans. Its objective is empowering others to be full partners in society by dispersing and sharing power. This is power-to rather than a power-over. Societies ruled in this manner are called self-governing societies.

Anciently, Athens, Rome, and Israel were, for a time, self-governing societies. Each of those ancient societies overthrew tyrants and created political systems without a boss. The systems they created dispersed power between competing institutions that often needed to cooperate to achieve their objectives. These systems worked well until they wanted to rule others or empower superiors.

In ancient Athens, citizens took turns ruling and being ruled. The word “to rule” also meant “to begin”, “to initiate” or “to start”, emphasizing the initiative to start something and the voluntary response from others to accept it (DiZerega 2000, 25).[3] The antonym of “to rule” in Greek is dictatorship, which means the person who rules does what he likes without considering anyone else’s opinion.[4]

The Romans gave us the English word “obey”, but in Latin the word has two different meanings that correspond with the two different forms of rule (Elazar 2018, 70).[5] The first is to be subject or serve, the second is to listen to, to pay attention, to give ear.

In ancient Hebrew, there are two words for “to rule”. One for when superiors rule inferiors, which, when done among humans is tyranny. The other rule is between equals. God’s relationship with humans is as equals based on consent. In ancient Hebrew, there was no word for “obey”, and, while we often translate shamoa as obedience, a more accurate translation would be to hearken, suggesting openness to being persuaded.[6]

Some political systems try to combine both types of rule. In Ancient Egypt, Pharaoh was superior as a god among men, and the rest of humanity were considered equals. Yet this equality between the people was consistently disrupted by the administrative class claiming special privileges due to their proximity to Pharaoh. This caused numerous civil wars and revolutions (Levi 1955).

“To rule” in English implies a strong statist, coercive element resembling domination. The connotation is to rule-over subordinates. Much of my discipline, political science, prefers the top-down, power-over model of rule. This form of rule requires identifying the enlightened or meritorious, and this, as in ancient Egypt, leads to unhealthy social divisions (Sandel 2020).

But the problem with power-over forms of rule is even more fundamental, because recent scientific findings suggest that human flourishing, unity and diversity does better under shared-rule that disperses power and fosters bottom-up governance.

Political Science’s Objective & Limitations

My discipline, political science, as its name declares, considers itself a science. Science began with the promise that it would free humans from anxiety, want, and bondage by helping humans understand and control nature.[7] This claim is based on the idea that our cosmos is a physical mechanism, like a clock, that humans can observe, understand, and manipulate to their benefit. Given that premise, good governance resembles engineering, designed by experts using the latest science, run by an integrated bureaucratic apparatus, and lead by the best leaders who rule through centralized structures with top-down control (Ostrom 2008, 167-8; Morçöl 2004).[8]

A name for this type of rule is statism.[9] Many modern liberal democracies, totalitarian governments, and political scientists favor statism.[10] Indeed, modern democracies are increasingly about choosing which leaders will wield the tools of government rather than limiting government and sharing rule.[11]

When it comes to fostering unity and diversity, statism’s record is not good. Many statists hope to achieve an idealistic society through state-imposed unity. They emphasize the community and view individuals as mere components, and replaceable ones at that. Consequently, when these idealistic governments find utopia harder to achieve than expected, they often resort to mass killings to eliminate the non-compliant, disobedient individuals. Thus, the French Jacobins killed 10,000, and communist nations in the 20 th century killed around 100 million (Courtois et al, 1999). The effort to achieve an idealized unity through statism often obliterates difference and diversity.

Statism in other places, like the United States, favors excessive individualism. Here, emphasis is placed on individual authenticity with little regard for community needs, natural ends or higher truths (Snead quoting Bellah 2020, 75). The individual is presumed to have a unique core of feeling and intuition that needs to be expressed if individuality is to be realized. Thus, morality for each individual comes entirely from within themselves with each hearkening only to their own mind and will, and each capable of choosing their own commitments and the roles he or she will play.[12] Government’s role, in such a system, is twofold: first, neutrality – that is, to take no sides in moral disputes, and, second, to remove any obstacles to the expressive individual, which often means shifting responsibility from individuals to government (Deneen 2018; Sandel 1998).

The result is not neutrality but moral relativism that proclaims no one has “the authority to criticize or even fully grasp the choices of others,” and, thus, “my feelings, my truth, my choice supersedes all other claims of right, good or truth” (Snead quoting Taylor 2020, 85; MacIntyre 1984, 23-35). The consequence is a breakdown of communities and social relations, divisiveness, and increasingly individual loneliness (Collins 2021). In short, excessive individualism generates broad diversity but undermines unity.

Whether building idealistic societies are advancing individualism, statism fails to achieve its promises. Some claim this is because politics prevails over science. However, political science has yet to discover anything that can be considered a scientific “law” (Botterill and Fenna 2019, 16-8). The political pundits who fill our airwaves and social media with their enlightened opinions are correct only slightly more often than random (Tetlock 2005).[13] Examples of political science’s failures include the failure to predict Trump’s success, Brexit, the rise of terrorism, the Arab Spring, and the fall of the Berlin Wall and end of the Cold War. Its bad policy history includes MacNamara’s management of Viet Nam and other proxy wars, transforming former communist countries into kleptocracies, and the war on poverty and healthcare policies (Swain 2021; Shullenberger 2020; Will 2020; Bessner 2019; Saad 2019; and Brooks 2018; Ellwood and Jencks 2004).[14]

Political science’s ontology and epistemology are excessively conservative, dismissing abductive reasoning and restricting acceptable findings to reductive deductions, statistically significant inductions or refined technique (Desch 2019; Shapiro 2005). If the political science of today was present when the U.S. Constitution was proposed in 1787, political scientists would have abstained from the constitutional debates or recommended monarchy as the best form of government.

Political science is not without insight or success, but most of that has little bearing on improving politics or policy, and the regularity it relies on is always suspect. Consequently, political science is increasingly irrelevant to addressing actual political problems (Desch 2019; Botterill and Fenna 2019, 14-5; Mounk 2016; Holmberg and Rothstein 2012, 1; Toulmin 2003). Fortunately, new scientific findings point to a new foundation for political science and all the social sciences.

The New Science of Complexity

These new findings come from complexity science, which studies chaotic and complex systems where change is caused by feedback loops within the system. In contrast, the standard science model presumes a mechanical universe where change is exogenous.[15]

One of the amazing features to come out of the study of complex systems is the concept of emergence, which occurs when the macro characteristics are unrelated to its component elements (Morçöl 2012, 10). For example, water’s slippery wetness is an “emergent” property not found in oxygen, hydrogen or even a few molecules of water (Page 2009). Emergence violates the standard science model’s assumption of reductionism, which claims that the whole is the sum of its parts.[16]

In the social world, emergence often occurs when individuals follow a few simple rules causing complex, unplanned order.

For example, near the end of the 20 th century we had no idea how fish school or birds flock.[17] Emergence suggested that few simple rules might explain their complex behavior. We can now simulate this.

In this computer simulation, each individual triangle (called a boid) begins with no rules and their flight patterns are, consequently, random.[18] If we add three simple rules (fly towards others, match velocity, and don’t get too close), we see an emergent order that resembles flocking. If we add obstacles (the red dots), the boids adapt to sustain flocking (dante 2015).[19] This small example shows how simple rules can create complex order that vastly exceeds anything expected from its component parts.

Another example: Wolf packs are incredibly effective hunters, because they appear to follow two simple rules: get as close to the prey as possible without getting injured or killed, and, move away from your closest hunting companion. The alpha male does NOT direct or control his pack on the hunt. Rather each individual wolf, perhaps following an instinct similar to these two general rules, helps create an emergent order that results in an incredibly effective hunting group that easily adapts to a varied landscape (Muro, Escobedo, Spector and Coppinger 2011).

Today, engineers design emergence into their projects. Take, for example, this intersection from Poynton, England, which has no traffic signs or signals. It was designed to instill situational awareness and foster nonverbal communication between drivers, bikers, and pedestrians. Consequently, traffic flows more efficiently, and the number of accidents and fatalities is significantly less than when the intersection had traffic signs and signals.

Martin Cassini calls streets like this “equality streets”, because order emerges from intuited rules of fairness that humans share (Cassini 2013a; Cassini 2013b).[20] Similar intersections and streets have been built around the world with similar results.

One important takeaway from this is that simple rules in the right environment or conditions can lead to emergent, complex, spontaneous order.

Like birds or wolves, humans posses some innate senses (or internal rules) that, while not determinative, do make society and cooperation possible.

What are these innate senses or internal rules that humans possess and which transcend culture? At a minimum, humans have an innate moral sense based on reciprocity and proportionality, logic, and a desire for truth (Christakis 2019; Plomin 2018; Scruton 2017; Haidt 2012; Rothstein 2011, 100-1; Mansfield 2007; Pinker 2002; Ridley 1996; Wilson 1997; Kass 1988; and Lewis 2002).[21]

Evidence for this proposition is strong. A litany of findings demonstrates that humans are not simply self-interested beings but innately moral, reasonable beings (Taber, 449-450).[22] For example, how people define “corrupt” is fairly stable across cultures and time, and even those in “severely corrupt systems do not internalize corrupt practices as morally legitimate” (Rothstein 2011, 100-2; Jordan 2009, 204-19; Karklins 2005).

At the same time, human nature also includes elements that favor tribalism and rebellion. These are not always bad impulses, because what is right and proper is often context dependent, giving place for reason and deliberation to determine the appropriate response.[23]

These new scientific findings suggest two important conclusions. First, the standard scientific model based on a mechanical universe misunderstands much of our universe.[24] That model explains how billiard balls move and crystals form; but, humans are neither billiard balls nor crystals (Gurri 2020). Our interactions are best understood not as pieces in a mechanical universe, but as a complex system.

Second, an anthropology that ignores the innate moral sense humans possess and reduces human beliefs and behavior to either deterministic drives or constructed culture are likewise inadequate for understanding and explaining humans and human society.

Let me give some examples.

One of the strange results of emergence is that the resulting macro order is often counterintuitive. Consider the following two pictures. Can you identify which society represented in the pictures is the more racist?

Society A Society B

These pictures depict two groups of people: blue and orange, who are free to move where they desire. The white squares are unoccupied spaces. In one picture, the households prefer living in an immediate neighborhood where 30% of their neighbors look like them. In the other picture, the households want 80% of their neighbors to look like them. Each blue and orange household moves if its immediate neighborhood has more of the opposite color than they prefer.[25]

These pictures show what results over time. So, which society is more racist and which is more tolerant?

Most would say that Society A has the most racists, because we see clear lines of segregation between the colors. Society B, it would seem, has less racism because the colors appear integrated.

Actually, society A is the least racist; households there want 30% of their neighbors to look like them. 30% isn’t a lot of racism, but it results in segregated neighborhoods. Consider this picture, where households want neighbors 70% like them, and segretation is extensive. In a mechanical universe, any increases above 70% would follow a linear progression of segregation.

Society desiring 70% of neighbors look like them.

However, something strange happens between 70-80%. In Society B, where households want 80% of their neighbors to look like them, the society looks integrated but is actually chaoitic – this is highly disordered, because the people keep moving trying to find neighborhoods that satisfy their desires (Schelling 1971, Schelling 1960, Page 2016).

I’m not saying racism does not exist or is not a problem. My point is that complex systems behave very different from mechanical models. In complex systems, what appears at the macro level can be radically different from micro characteristics and behaviors.

Let me turn to anthropology, or our understanding of human nature. Consider political science’s founding myth - the tragedy of the commons. This metaphor claims that humans are self-interested and, consequently, will exploit common resources to extinction if individuals are left to rule themselves. The tragedy of the commons assumes that people are so individualistic and self-seeking that they cannot see past their immediate self-interest to consider and solve collective action problems. The solution, we political scientists like to claim, is a government that creates and enforces order via laws imposed upon the self-seeking individuals.[26]

Outside of textbooks and laboratories, however, the tragedy of the commons is quite rare. When found in the real world a tragedy of the commons is almost always caused by government intervention (Ridley 1996, 239). [27] Scholars who have left the laboratory and ventured into the real world have found many examples of humans acting cooperatively without government oversight or guidance.[28]

One of the pioneers of this work is Elinor Ostrom, the only political scientist to receive a Nobel prize. Ostrom found examples of humans across the world solving collective action problems without government assistance by devising, agreeing to, and self-enforcing a few simple rules. This happens, for example, in the mountain and Alpine ecosystems of Japan and Switzerland, with irrigation systems in Spain and the Philippines, and inshore fisheries in Turkey and Maine. Ostrom found that the result of a few simple rules and a binding agreement among humans can produce an emergent, complex order that is far more than the sum of its parts. She called them “spontaneous orders”, because they emerge bottom-up in contrast to order that is imposed top-down.[29] In other words, contrary to the tragedy of the commons’s conclusion, self-government exists and thrives in the real world (Ostrom 1990).

Ostrom’s findings present two big takeaways. First, much of our politics and culture are influenced by inaccurate theories that reinforce self-interested, individualistic, emotivism and centralized, top-down government.[30] A few common examples include: Darwinism’s claims that life is an accident and humans are just animals with no purpose, meaning, or free will; [31] Marxism’s claims that materialistic forces more than human choice drives human history and determines the world; Freud’s claim that humans cannot master their own desires; and Bentham’s argument that humans are organized around pleasure and pain rather than truth, morality, and meaning.[32] Each of these theories comes from the standard science model’s mechanical universe (Morçöl 2002; Geyer and Rihani 2010; Wells and McLean 2013, 66-84; Toulmin 2003; West 1996). And each faces serious scientific challenges, if not rejected by their respective fields.

The second big takeaway is that human communities may emerge and create spontaneous orders from simple rules under the right conditions. Those spontaneous orders may be beneficial or harmful.[33] To prevent harm, some favor rule by superiors over subordinates or top-down governance. Others, however, argue that rule can be shared between free and equal people if we get the rules and conditions right.

Shared Rule (aka Self-Government)

The natural question that now arises is: What simple rules and conditions will foster flourishing human societies, and encourage peace, unity and diversity?

First, there is no scientific formula, because complex systems defy precise prediction. That is complex systems are non-reductive and non-linear, which means inputs will have unexpected and disprortionate consequences on the system. Instead of rational planning to achieve some idealistic end, which will ultimately fail, the objective is to, first, do no harm, then, maximize freedom and accountability. This allows individuals and groups, even non-experts, to experiment and learn what works and what doesn’t.

For freedom to be productive there must be rules. There will always be people who will use their agency to harm others, because while a moral sense may be natural, moral and virtuous behavior is not (Muir 2012, 15-28). Government is necessary to provide security and foster individual and social welfare. That is rule by a free and equal people, or self-government, entails rules and accountability (Hayek 1978, 54-70; Levin 2020).

These rules are general statements that guide behavior while allowing individuals and groups to act on their own knowledge. The rules should create the conditions that allow an orderly arrangement to emerge, not impose a preconceived order. At a minimum, these rules should protect criticism, competition, and feedback (see Hayek 1978, 54-70, 148-61; Ostrom 1990; Postrel 1998;and Appendix C).

Each society must develop its own rules and institutions consistent with its values and environment (Goldsmith 2005). Getting the rules and institutions right for self-government is very difficult and requires much time and conflict. It requires persuasive discourse with proposals and counter proposals, dissensions, negotiations, compromise, flexibility, and forgiveness. And once the goals are identified and rules established, the respect for diversity and freedom means that there will be ongoing disagreements about what is to be done (Kincaid 1991).

Self-governing societies do not prevent conflict, rather they channel it into institutions that prevent domination and foster persuasive discourse between individuals or groups who are committed to the success of the collective enterprise. This requires individuals with the virtues required for self-governance, which includes the ability to make and keep promises, to think carefully of how to apply the rules to specific situations, to negotiate and compromise, and to tolerate differing perspectives that are consistent with the agreed upon values (Tocqueville 2000; McClay 1996; Mungiu-Pippidi 2013).[34]

Covenantal Rule

If we desire to create such a system, especially one that seeks to balance unity and diversity, then Athenian democracy is probably not the best example, because it did not protect individual liberty and it does not scale (Walsh 2019). The ancient republic of Israel provides a better model. That system united a people around some basic rules accepted by covenant.[35] It protects diversity by limiting unity to the covenant, thus preserving individual separateness and distinctiveness. The covenant model also scales well (Pally 2016; Elazar 1998; Sabetti 2000, 260).[36]

Covenantal rule is the rule of equals. Remember, in Hebrew, any superior-subordinate relationship among humans is tyranny. Even God’s relationship with humans is as an equal, and He agrees to constrain His power in order to protect human freedom. In such a system, while institutions are important, the essence of the system is the attitudes, spirit, and culture it creates (Livingston 1956).

Thus, covenantal rule is based on genuine persuasion rather than command. This requires genuine listening, persuasive discourse, deliberation, negotiation, and compromise (Garsten 2006; Hirschman 1970). The expectation is that all hearkening and negotiating is done in good faith consistent with the covenant.

Covenants are not contracts. Both entail commitment and mutual promises, but contracts maximize individualism while covenants form us into social beings. A covenant takes two or more “I”s and creates something new – a “we”. It creates a new identity, a coming together to form an “us”, with a binding, lasting commitment to the success of this new unity. Contracts, on the other hand, end when the contracts’ terms are fulfilled, the parties separate, each has something they want, but the contract has not changed them (92 nd Street Y 2017). Also, contracts are written in excessive detail allowing each to fulfill the contract by doing the bare minimum. Covenants are written in general terms, granting each party the discretion to determine what the covenant requires of them in a given context, but with the expectation that each party is fully committed to the success of the collective “us”.[37]

Covenants create simple rules that order relationships from which complex, spontaneous, social order may emerge. By providing the uniting, founding, defining terms of a new, enduring entity, covenants form its participants and their society. In this way, covenants define a culture rather than being downstream of culture.[38]

Covenants also scale well. Because they are limited rather than all-encompassing or totalitarian, they preserves space for diversity and liberty. Within that space individuals and entities may enter into other covenants creating new entities as long as the original entities are not harmed. The result is a nested system of entities representing multiple perspectives.[39]

When the covenant model is applied to political systems, the result is multiple governments with overlapping political powers and responsibilities.[40] This allows cooperation and competition between governments. To those who prefer top-down, centralized rule, this duplication appears messy, unnecessary and inefficient, but, from a complexity perspective, the overlapping and competition creates a robust and dynamic system (Postrel 1998).

A dangerous tendency of covenant groups is tribalism and favoritism. When a covenant society views itself as distinct and chosen, it may choose to separate itself from others and, thereby, become tribalistic. Favoritism develops within the group from the idea that success comes from keeping the covenant; thus, the successful may feel their privileges are merited and they are favored by God. Ancient Israel countered these problems by requiring hospitality to strangers and rules that redistributed economic wealth.

Covenant in America

When the U.S. Constitution was ratified in 1788, its first words, “We the people . . .” appealed to the philosophy of covenant and self-government that Americans had been experimenting with for 170 years since the Mayflower landed at Plymouth in 1620 (Lutz 1990; Wood 2020; Randall 2020).[41] The Constitution creates a “federal” system of government – federal comes from the Latin word foedus, which means treaty, pact or covenant. That federal system separates powers across and between governments as a means to balance shared-rule and self-rule, community and liberty, unity and diversity.[42] The ideal of a strong unity of limited scope to protect diversity is expressed in America’s motto, e pluribus unum (from the many, one).[43]

America hasn’t always lived up to that ideal. But, that moral ideal is rooted in America’s history, written into its founding documents (the Declaration of Independence and Constitution), and restated in its important speeches like the Gettysburg Address. When America transgresses that ideal and restricts the liberties and diversity of others, that ideal stands in judgment and as a corrective against those actions.

Following the Civil War, intellectuals, influenced by European ideas of government and Darwin’s ideas of evolution, adopted ideas contrary to federal governance. From the Europeans, many American intellectuals learned to favor the centralization of power and rule by experts and elites. From Darwin they adopted a belief that man is not a transcendent being whose thoughts and soul transcend matter, but rather a material accident whose ideas can aspire not to truth but to little more than being useful. Thus, the statist model was slowly integrated into America.[44] Today, statism and federalism inform two very different interpretations of the U.S. Constitution (Kesler 2020; Marini 2018).

Evaluating the Two Forms of Rule

What is the performance record of these two forms of rule?

The statist model seeks unity and peace by consolidating power to scientifically manage the economy and society. Superiors rule over subordinates with complicated and extensive rules. This model assumes that objectivity is possible, that leaders are sufficiently intelligent to comprehend and solve the leading issues and problems of their day, and leaders can marshal an army of bureaucrats to fairly and judiciously administer the leader’s dictates without corruption or undermining the political arrangement.

These are, however, impossible expectations. Objectivity in politics ignores politics’ very nature and purpose is based in values (Botterill and Fenna 2019).[45] The dynamic, emergent nature of living things means they defy precise prediction. Moreover, the nature of information impairs effective centralized rule, because moving information away from where it is produced always entails degradation. Hence, each layer of bureaucracy erodes information. This means that rulers often lack key information; and uniform rules, laws, and policies cannot cover all possible contingencies (Hayek 1978; Shapiro 2005, 8). Consequently, managers and bureaucrats responsible for implementing and enforcing the laws face impossible and unworkable scenarios. They respond in different ways: with a strict (and restrictive) interpretation of the rules, wisdom that seeks to balance competing values, lax enforcement, or dishonesty and corruption (Ostrom 2008).[46] Corruption is often not an individual choice but a social consequence resulting from bad policies (Rothstein 2011, 98-119; Mungiu-Pippidi 2013).

Consolidating power in experts and elites also grants powerful interest groups easier access to lawmakers while making it more difficult for less organized and distant groups to communicate their ideas and concerns (Somin 2020). And public officials often reject local solutions simply because they view them as unofficial, non-scientific solutions (Ostrom 2008, 173-178). The result is often bad policies and popular contempt for the government and its laws.[47]

The mainstream of political science claims that the consolidation and centralization of power improves public services. The evidence, however, shows that federal and decentralized political systems generally provide more efficient human services, have less corruption, are more innovative, and provide more and better opportunities for public participation in shaping the laws that govern them (Bednar 2011; Inman 2007). At the municipal level, centralized city administrations provide the worst services whereas fragmented, overlapping, and small jurisdictions offer better human services at a lower cost (Ostrom 2008). That is, by dispersing power, federalism shifts some powers closer to the people, which means less distance for information to travel and positive competition between governments.

The U.S. military and many businesses, such as Toyota, have found great success shifting from a top-down, power-over form of rule to a decentralized, bottom-up, power-to form of rule (Brafman and Beckstrom 2008, 181-89; Ackoff 1992; Deming 2018).

Statism places scientific experts atop the pantheon of right thinking.[48] It should thus be no surprise that people increasingly try to silence debate or avoid the trouble of thinking by claiming they are “on the side of science” when the issue actually calls for prudential or moral reasoning that all, including non-scientists, are qualified to argue over (Douthat 2020).

Statist government promises to protect individual rights and foster authenticity by consolidating responsibility in distant institutions ruled by elites and powerful interests. But it is our embrace of those responsibilities that connect us to purposes greater than self, which cultivate the character and virtues necessary for self-governance and collaborative work with others (McClay 1996). Without committed relations and connections that bind us to others, we are less secure and fall easier for group identities and extreme ideologies (Kekes 2002; Kass 2017, 109-134; Deneen 2018; McClay 1996).

I am not saying that science is bad or common sense can completely replace experts. I am proposing that a more realistic science would recognize science’s limitations. Complexity science asserts that the tools of political science are insufficiently precise to make the type of predictions common in some of the natural sciences. A more realistic understanding of humans would respect humans’ moral and common sense, and work with human values to build a system that addresses our deepest human questions and our most important aspirations.[49]

To conclude: there are many forms of government but only two forms of rule. The first is rule by superiors over subordinates in a top-down manner that requires extensive rules and a government of broad scope. The second is the rule of a free and equal people, that shares power, pulls people into partnerships, and rules based on genuine persuasion, compromise, and consent.

In 1835, Alexis de Tocqueville warned that America’s democracy and self-government would not be destroyed by foreign powers conquering America, but by Americans giving up their independence to a powerful, centralized government that promised to make their lives easier by assuming their responsibilites. Tocqueville called this “soft tyranny”, and predicted it would be the natural thing. Sustaining individual independence and local liberties, he said, is an art that requires thoughtful and conscientious cultivation (Tocqueville 2000, 645).[50] His prediction has proven prescient and an ongoing warning.

The art of self-government is very old, hearkening back to the democracies and republics of Athens, Rome, and Israel. Israel’s covenant form of rule, adapted by America’s founders, provides a means for unity through shared-rule, and diversity through self-rule. The standard science model largely dismisses these ways. Yet, new scientific findings reveal the limits and problems of centralizing power and ruling from the top. And complexity science and emergence confirm the ancient understanding that from simple rules and virtuous citizens can emerge self-governing societies of unity and diversity. These societies not only survive but also flourish.

President McKay’s vision for BYUH invites us to think carefully about the type of rule that will foster peace, unity and diversity, and the qualities and characteristics we need to develop to make that happen.

[1] Achieving unity and diversity is what I think President McKay had in mind when he recorded in his journal of watching 127 children of Laie from different countries participating in a flag raising ceremony “as though they all belonged to one nation, one country, one tongue” (February 7, 1921) Brad Olsen, “Genuine Gold,” BYU Magazine , Fall 2005. In 1973, Marion G. Romney spoke of the vision for BYUH as “a living laboratory in which individuals who share the teachings of the Master Teacher have an opportunity to develop appreciation, tolerance, and esteem for one another. For what can be done here interculturally in a small way is what mankind must do on a large scale if we are ever to have real brotherhood on this earth” Marion G. Romney, “Dedication of the Aloha Center, Church College of Hawaii,” (January 25, 1973).

[2] For a good analysis of these different forms of rule see V. Ostrom, The Intellectual Crisis in American Public Administration .

[3] Socrates declared, “You must either persuade or obey [the city’s] orders” ( Crito, 51b ). Aristotle notes that only when citizens have the power to rule can they develop virtue ( The Politics , book 3).

[4] Dr. Lica H. Catsakis, DDS – email with author.

[5] The word in Latin is obedire .

[6] Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks interprets shamoa as listen, hear, internalize, respond (92nd Street Y 2019). For an opposing interpretation that puts more emphasis on obedience than hearken, see Brian J. Lee, “The Covenant Terminology of Johannes Cocceius" (2003).

[7] This was Francis Bacon’s description of what science would provide humanity (Bacon and Campanella 2018; Toulmin 2001, 79-82).

[8] For an analysis of positivism, postpositivism and poststructuralism/postmodernity in policy studies, see Morçöl 2001. He found that found that policy professionals widely favor positivistic assumptions. The result is, as Max Weber foresaw, governance by “specialists without spirit or vision and voluptuaries without heart” (Strauss 1965, 42). A similar insight is found in Nibley, “Leaders to Managers” (1983).

[9] Another term is technocracy, but statism better captures this ideological faith in the state to solve mankind’s problems.

[10] The similarities between modern liberal democracies and totalitarian communist governments are a major point in speeches given by former communist dissidents like Alexander Solzhenitsyn and Vaclav Havel. See Alexander Solzhenitsyn’s “A World Split Apart” address given at Harvard University (June 8, 1978) and Vaclav Havel, “The Power of the Powerless”, and his speeches given at the University of California Los Angeles (October 25, 1991), The World Economic Forum (February 4, 1992), Philadelphia Liberty Medal (July 4, 1994), and Harvard University (June 8, 1995) Václav Havel, The Art of the Impossible (1998). The fact that statist rule can coexist with democracy is evidenced by France, where the statist model has endured through five republics, two Napoleonic empires, and occupation by the Nazis. For an interesting comparison between the French enlightenment, which, adopted the statist model, and the British enlightenment, which helped inspire the American revolution. Political science’s acceptance of statism is explained by Ostrom 2008, and DiZerega 2000.

[11] Increasingly, democracy means justifying power rather than rule by the people (Garsten 2006). “For the left, ‘ democracy’ is another word for progressive policy aims, especially the widening of special political rights and welfare-state provisions to new constituencies” (Swain 2021). “Totalitarian democracy’ is a real thing, and refers to a political system where the people have the right to vote for representatives but have little or no participation in the decision-making process of government (Talmon 1968). The difference between democracy as traditionally understood and totalitarian democracy is the difference between the British and French enlightenments, where the French use rationalism to design and fundamental reorder society while the British rely on human sentiments (i.e., their moral sense) “stumble upon establishments which are indeed the result of human action but not the execution of human design” (Hayek 1960, 57 quoting Andrew Ferguson). For more on these differences see Hayek 1960, 54-70; Himmelfarb 2001.

[12] Excessive individualism opposes universals but ends up as an extremely arrogant and proud “validation of personal prejudice and desire” (Fox-Genovese 2020). For an excellent review of the anthropology of expressive individualism that summarizes Tocqueville, Robert Bellah, Charles Taylor, Michael Sandel, and Alasdair MacIntryre, see Snead 2020. For more on why expressive individualism is based on a false anthropology and my thoughts on what is a more realistic anthropology, see Appendix B.

[13] A recent study found that political experts’ conclusions are shaped 25 to 50% of the time more by their class and demographic biases than their expertise (Kertzer 2020). C.S. Lewis warned of relying on experts: “I dread specialists in power, because they are specialists speaking outside their special subjects. Let scientists tell us about sciences. But government involves questions about the good for man, and justice, and what things are worth having at what price; and on these a scientific training gives a man’s opinion no added value” (Lewis 1970).

[14] A leading political scientist, Giovanni Sartori, said that political science is ‘largely useless science’ and is ‘going nowhere’ (Sartori 2004). Political scientists have also negatively affected politics, such as Morton Grodzins’ claim that American federalism has long been cooperative federalism which justified centralization or Arthur Schlesinger who contributed to executive governance and Richard Neustadt whose ideas contributed to the Nixon plumbers. There are many causes of policy experts’ failure, but surely one is based on a standard scientific model that is blind to emergence, because emergence means there is “no direct and linear causal link between governmental policy actions and outcomes” (Morçöl 2012, 89). For a counterargument on the relevance of experts see Garett Jones, 10% Less Democracy (2020).

[15] This is similar to teleology in ancient Greek philosophy, the idea that causes of events in nature do not happen in response to external forces, but they are driven by internal and pre-given purposes” (Morçöl 2012, 93).

[16] For a brief introduction to emergence, see “Emergence” on YouTube at: Kurzgesagt, “Emergence - How Stupid Things Become Smart Together.” An interesting example of agent-based learning is “Multi-Agent Hide and Seek” on YouTube .

[17] How fish school was not understood in 1985 (Wilson and Wilson 1992, 121-31).

[18] This is an agent-based program where the agents, or boids in this case, each follows a set of rules. The computer calculates how each agent would act based on the rules programmed for that agent. For more on agent-based models see Gilbert 2008 and Raczynski 2020.

[19] More precisely, the three rules are: fly towards the center of mass of local birds, match velocity with local birds, and don’t fly too close to local birds.

[20] The creator of the shared space intersection, Hans Monderman, explains the intersections, their use around the world, and how they create a sense of responsibility in multiple aspects of life (UrbanNous 2015).

[21] The better explanation of the great diversity among humans and across human cultures is not that it is the result of blank slate humans choosing their own values, but rather it is various expressions of the same innate human values.

[22] Much contemporary science, looking at this evidence, concludes that humans are shaped primarily by nature rather than nurture to the point of concluding that humans are almost entirely determined (Dennett 2004; Plomin 2018). This idea is strongly challenged, however, by growing evidence that the human mind and consciousness exhibit emergent properties that transcend physical matter and cannot be explained solely by Neo-darwinian processes (Nagel 2012). The truth lies likely somewhere between the material determinists and the blank slate constructivists.

[23] This is a call for virtue ethics, which should not be confused with situational ethics. The weakness of human’s moral sense is described in J.Q. Wilson’s concluding paragraph on the subject: “Mankind’s moral sense is not a strong beacon light, radiating outward to illuminate in sharp outline all that it touches. It is, rather, a small candle flame, casting vague and multiple shadows, flickering and sputtering in the strong winds of power and passion, greed and ideology. But brought close to the heart and cupped in one’s hands, it dispels the darkness and warms the soul” (Wilson 1997, 251). However, a strong argument for determinism is the regularity of power laws.

[24] For more on different understandings of science and the assumptions of the standard science model, see Appendix A. It might be more accurate to say that the early scientists in breaking with Aristotle denied the existence of emergence that was a fundamental element of Aristotle’s ontology. That attitude persists in modern science’s utter rejection of telos in favor of the mechanical universe model. That presumption leads to the five fundamental assumptions of the standard science model: materialism, reductionism, linearity, reversibility, and predictability.

[25] These pictures were made using Netlogo software. The program was edited to not show un/happiness levels, which, when included, impairs the visual representation.

[26] In addition to the tragedy of the commons, political scientists also refer to the prisoner’s dilemma and the logic of collective action to demonstrate the problems individuals face when trying to achieve collective benefits. Like tragedy of the commons these models are not as pervasive and insurmountable as is often claimed see Elinor Ostrom, Governing the Commons (1990), 1-28.

[27] Studies confirming the tragedy of the commons were done using mostly American college students and prisoners as the test subjects. Later studies of a more diverse group demonstrated these assumptions do not hold for the general population, and other studies found that those taught these ideas become more individualistic and selfish (Ridley 1996).

[28] This is not to say that individuals will not take advantage of others or try to shift costs to others. Such behaviors are common. This is saying that when the responsibility falls to them and cost shifting is impossible or unlikely to succeed, then humans can devise self-governing institutions (Ostrom 1990). For a related interesting case study see Candela and Geloso 2020.

[29] Spontaneous orders aka polycentricity does not guarantee good governance. For a succinct case study on when polycentricity can lead to maladaptation see Biddle and Baelher 2019.

[30] Emotivism is the claim that “there are and can be no valid rational justification for any claims that objective and impersonal moral standards exist and hence that there are no such standards” (MacIntyre 1984, 19). The consequence is emotivism obliterates “any genuine distinction between manipulative and non-manipulative social relations, and others are always means and never ends (Ibid, 23-24).

[31] An example of how Darwinism was misused is Richard Hofstadter’s Social Darwinism in America (1955), which argued that American capitalism could be explained by social Darwinism and included callous individualism, rationalized cutthroat competition, and laissez-faire . Hofstadter’s thesis, however, was quickly discredited by Wyllie (1959) and later Burkhardt (1979). They showed that in the period Hofstadter identified, businesses opposed ruthless competition, they emphasized good character, and believed success was based on industry, frugality, and sobriety. Nonetheless, Hofstadter’s image prevails in many minds today. For a study on the social and cultural times that contributed to Darwinism’s widespread acceptance as well as the social and cultural influence Darwin’s Origin of Species had on the broader society, see Gertrude Himmelfarb’s Darwin and the Darwinian Revolution (1996). Himmelfarb writes: “What the Origin did was to focus and stimulate the religious and nihilist passions of men. Dramatically and urgently, it confronted them with a situation that could no longer be evaded, a situation brought about not by any one scientific discovery, nor even by science as a whole, but by an antecedent condition of religious and philosophical turmoil. The Origin was not so much the cause as the occasion of the upsurge of these passions” (p. 400). Leon Kass summed up Darwinism’s political-cultural consequences by calling it “ethically subversive” (1999, 5). Contemporary challenges to Neo-Darwinism are coming from scientific naturalism, Aristotelianism (See Turner 2017; Rosen 2005; and Kass 1988), information theory (Gelernter 2019), philosophy (Nagel 2012), and intelligent design (Meyer 2014, and Meyer 2019).

[32] Two other influential naturalist philosophies include Hobbes, who emphasizes the individualistic nature of humans, and Descartes, who emphasizes humans’ cognitive abilities and minimizes their emotions.

[33] For example, political corruption is usually the result of a negative feedback loop that creates a self-reinforcing equilibrium that makes ending corruption very difficult (Rothstein 2011, 98-119). Similarly, 2% of a population engaged in nonviolent civil unrest can topple a dictatorship, but a stable democracy will only emerge if those efforts also result in revitalizing a robust civic infrastructure (Chenoweth and Stephan 2011).

[34] It is better if these virtues are cultivated through social rather than political institutions.

[35] The challenge of overcoming corruption and transitioning to beneficial political and economic institutions, both formal and informal, is ultimately a question about how to insure most of society will make and keep credible commitments (Rothstein 2011, 109-10).

[36] Why should we expect binding agreements to work? In The Abolition of Man , C.S. Lewis argues that all moral judgments are founded on a few ethical principles that are shared by all human beings, these are keep one’s promises and treat others justly (Lewis 2002; West 1996).

[37] In the Jewish community, this idea is expressed by the word hesed , which means loving fulfillment of the covenant.

[38] “Nation building in contrast to state building requires the creation of intangible things like national traditions, symbols, shared historical memories, and common cultural points of reference. National identities can be created by states through their policies on language, religion, and education. But they are just as often established from the bottom up by poets, philosophers, religious leaders, novelists, musicians, and other individuals with no direct access to political power” Fukuyama 2014, 185).

[39] Federalism should not be confused with localism. First, covenants join people together to promote the common good in contrast to the self-serving amoral familism that often prevails in local communities see Banfield 1967. Second, federalism allows power and responsibility to be dispersed between different planes of government in a non-centralized form rather than centralizing or decentralizing it. This result is a common problem gets addressed from multiple perspectives, thus resembling the Hebrew Bible’s epistemology that is sometimes called prismatic, because rather than thinking there is one definitive account of truth it provides multiple perspectives on the same thing.

[40] Covenant philosophers developed the concept of popular sovereignty – that is the supreme authority to rule resides not in the rulers but in the people – as well as the idea to separate powers to create checks and balances, and the right to revolution if the leaders or organization violate the covenant and abuse its powers (McCoy and Baker 1991, 13).

[41] The Mayflower Compact, a written, three-paragraph covenant, created a new society, defined that society’s fundamental values and commitments (order, justice, equality, and rule of law), created a government, and gave its signors a community to belong to, respect based in equality, and the right to be heard. This community “became a model for New England villages and towns and ultimately the nation” that “set the mold for consensual self-government as ideal and practice” for achieving the common good. During the next 80 years, American colonists wrote over 100 other founding documents similar to the Mayflower covenant. Where the Mayflower covenant joined individuals into a society, future covenants joined communities into a larger entity that would simultaneously recognize and preserve the smaller units’ freedom – a precursor to the United States system of federalism (Lutz 1990). For more information on how covenants were used, evolved, and shaped America’s federalism system see my presentations at "American Federalism Looking Forward" (starting at 36 minutes); Covenants, Compact, and the Constitution: Troy Smith and Julia Ernst (start at 4:30); and Troy Smith .

[42] For more on how the philosophy of covenants influenced government structures see Nelson 2010, McCoy and Baker 1991. Vincent Ostrom noted that to understand the Federalist Papers (which were written by Hamilton, Madison and Jay to explain the Constitution and persuade the citizens of New York to ratify the Constitution) requires a covenant approach, otherwise, a reader will catch only “flashes of insights or intuitions” rather than a deeply theoretical and analytical understanding of self-governing societies (Ostrom 2008, 147). Contrary to popular beliefs, the Iroquois confederacy, an important example of federalism in its own right, did not influence the U.S. Constitution (Lutz 1998; Patrick 1998).

[43] In the 1760s, Americans found themselves outside the British tribe, when Britain denied them the common rights acquired by their fathers in the Glorious Revolution of 1688. In response, Americans developed the idea of universal natural rights, essentially extending equality beyond covenant partners to include the entire human race (Thompson 2019).

[44] For a history of this shift to the centralized bureaucratic state in America see Moreno 2016; Marini 2018; Ostrom 2008).

[45] There is growing evidence that effective rule requires the consideration of values, see Botterill and Fenna 2019. It is increasingly evident that separating facts and values is nearly impossible (Strauss 1965, 35-80). Referring to scientific naturalism’s emphasis on objectivity and mathematization, Leon Kass wrote, “This doctrine of objectivity necessarily removed the knower from among the things known, thus isolating the passionate and morally concerned human being ever more from nature as studied by his science. Eventually, even the possibility of truth came under challenge, with various skepticisms asserting the ultimate unknowability of both the true being of nature and the true causes of natural phenomena. . . . We have lost our way in the world partly because we no longer believe that our ordinary experience of life in the world may be the privileged road to the deepest truth” (Kass 1999, 4-8).

[46] Montaigne is an example of a civil servant who seeks to respond with wisdom but recognizes the system’s degrading effects.

[47] The democratization of local governments and political parties after the 1960s actually led to a consolidation of power, which, when combined with individualism, fosters an individualism that undermines institutions (Ehrenhalt 1991; Banfield 1985; Levin 2020). James Madison predicted that the centralization of power would increase the power of the executive and decrease the power of the legislative (Derthick 1992).

[48] What advocates of scientism fail to realize is that scientific naturalism discredits science itself, for if humans are the result of natural processes then how can their reasoning be trusted at all (Nagel 2012; C.S. Lewis 2018).

[49] Restoring some boundaries to our federal system will empower local communities and make it easier to hold responsible parties accountable (Gerken 2010; Levin 2020; Botterill and Fenna 2019; Kass 2017; Kass 1999).

[50] Tocqueville’s footnote to this passage is worth repeating: “A democratic people is brought not only by its tastes to centralize power; the passions of all those who lead it constantly push it toward that.

One can easily foresee that almost all the ambitious and capable citizens that a democratic country contains will work without respite to extend the prerogatives of the social power, because all hope to direct it one day. It is a waste of one’s time to want to prove to them that extreme centralization can be harmful to the state, since they centralize for themselves.

Among the public men of democracies there are scarcely any but very disinterested and very mediocre people who want to decentralize power. The former are rare and the latter powerless” (Ibid., 703).

Speech on Unity in Diversity

Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, and fellow attendees,

Today, I stand before you to speak on a topic that resonates deeply with each of us – “Unity in Diversity.” In our world’s grand tapestry, every thread, every color, every texture is vital. Together, they form a picture more beautiful and resilient than any single thread could on its own.

The Essence of Diversity

Diversity is not just a concept; it’s the very fabric of our society. It’s the multitude of cultures, beliefs, and traditions that we bring to the communal table. It’s in the languages we speak, the foods we savor, and the stories we tell our children. Diversity is our collective strength, a source of innovation and creativity, a wellspring of empathy and understanding.

Challenges and Misconceptions

However, embracing diversity is not without its challenges. Misunderstandings and stereotypes can lead to division. It’s easy to fear what we do not understand or to resent what seems different. But it’s crucial to remember that our differences do not divide us; they enrich us.

Unity in Action

Unity in diversity means recognizing that each individual is unique and respecting our individual differences. It’s about understanding that our varied backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are not just to be tolerated but celebrated.

Examples of Unity in Diversity

Let’s consider some inspiring examples:

In the United States, we see a melting pot of cultures contributing to every field, be it science, arts, or governance.
In India, a land of numerous languages and ethnicities, people come together to celebrate festivals from diverse cultures, embodying the spirit of ‘unity in diversity.’

The Role of Education and Dialogue

Education plays a pivotal role in fostering this unity. Schools and universities are not just centers for academic learning; they are the nurseries of understanding and tolerance. Through dialogue and interaction, we learn about each other, about our shared dreams and unique challenges.

Call to Action

I urge each one of you to be ambassadors of unity in diversity. Let us reach out to someone from a different background, listen to their story, and share our own. Let’s break down the walls of ignorance and build bridges of understanding.

In conclusion, unity in diversity is not a distant ideal; it’s a daily practice. It starts with us – with our conversations, our attitudes, and our actions. Let’s cherish our diversity and weave it into a stronger, more united society. Together, we are unbreakable; together, we thrive.

Speech Generator

Text prompt

Instructive
Professional

Generate a speech on the importance of teamwork in school projects

Create a speech encouraging students to participate in extracurricular activities.

A collection of TED Talks (and more) on the topic of Diversity.

Video playlists about Diversity

A playbook for agile, inclusive leadership

How to innovate for collaboration and success

Why tech needs diversity

A blueprint for diversity in the workplace

Talks about diversity.

3 steps to better connect with your fellow humans

Advice for leaders on creating a culture of belonging

How film changes the way we see the world

Let curiosity lead

Let's reframe cancel culture

The magic of a creative career

How your company can gain a global talent advantage

A liberating vision of identity that transcends labels

Why are schools more segregated now than in the 1980s?

5 hiring tips every company (and job seeker) should know

We need leaders who boldly champion inclusion

The awesome potential of many metaverses

Why US laws must expand beyond the nuclear family

How the higher education system fails Black educators

One company at a time

How to reduce bias in your workplace

Exclusive articles about diversity, how to make diversity, equity and inclusion a reality at work — not just a mission statement, how to have more inclusive meetings over zoom, how do you get from diversity to inclusion ask these 4 questions about your meetings.

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser .

T4Tutorials.com

Speech on unity in diversity [1, 2, 3, 5 minutes], 1, 2, 3 minutes speech on unity in diversity.

Dear teachers and students!

Greetings to all. and thank you to all of you to give me chance to give a speech.

The idea of unity in diversity encourages harmony and a sense of belonging among people while recognising and valuing their differences. It’s the notion that despite all of our differences, we are all connected and ought to make an effort to live in peace.

Recognizing and respecting the distinctive qualities and characteristics that make each person different is one of the fundamental components of unity in diversity. This covers variations in racial, ethnic, religious, cultural, linguistic, and other backgrounds. We can learn from one another and develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of the world around us by embracing these differences.

However, unity in diversity also highlights the significance of identifying points of agreement and cooperating to achieve a common objective. Building communication and understanding between various groups as well as encouraging a sense of community and belonging can all be part of this.

The idea of unity in diversity is more crucial than ever in today’s world, where globalisation and the rapid pace of change are bringing people from all over the world together. It serves as a reminder that we are all in this together and that one of our greatest assets is our diversity.

Promoting unity in diversity can, in practise, take many different forms. It may involve initiatives to advance cultural sensitivity and understanding as well as inclusiveness and equity-promoting laws and programmes.

This might entail creating a curriculum that incorporates a variety of viewpoints and experiences and making a safe and welcoming environment for students from all backgrounds in a school setting, for instance.

It can also mean fostering an environment of mutual respect and understanding among coworkers, as well as promoting diversity and inclusion in hiring and leadership.

Building bridges of understanding and communication between various groups within the community can mean collaborating to address shared problems and concerns.

Promoting harmony among differences is not always simple. It necessitates a dedication to appreciating and comprehending one another’s differences as well as a readiness to cooperate in order to achieve a common objective.

We can, however, create societies and communities that are stronger, more inclusive, and more equitable if we embrace our diversity and work together. We can unlock the full potential of our human family and create a world that is genuinely united in diversity by recognising the distinct strengths and contributions of each individual.

In conclusion, the idea of unity in diversity is a potent one that fosters a sense of community and belonging while promoting understanding and respect for differences. We can create a more just and equitable world for all people if we embrace diversity and work together.

5 Minutes Speech on Unity in diversity

One of the most wonderful characteristics of our world is its unity in diversity. It serves as a reminder that despite all of our differences, we are all just people with the same aspirations, concerns, and desires.

There are many different cultures, languages, religions, and customs in the globe around us. Each of these components enriches the tapestry of people and adds to the vibrancy and appeal of our world. However, it’s crucial to keep in mind that diversity also refers to the distinctive viewpoints and experiences that each of us brings to the table, not just our external distinctions.

Being able to learn from one another is one of the most potent effects of variety in unity. We become more receptive to fresh viewpoints and ways of thinking when we embrace and celebrate the differences among us. As a result, we are able to advance both as a society and as individuals.

However, finding common ground is just as important for achieving unity in variety as it is for accepting our differences. We may cooperate to accomplish shared objectives and create a brighter future for all of us by realising that we are all members of the same human family.

It is more crucial than ever for us to unite and enjoy our variety in a world where disputes and misunderstandings frequently cause division. We can all benefit from a society that is more inclusive, caring, and egalitarian if we work together.

So let’s celebrate our differences, share knowledge, and cooperate to create a better future for everybody. I’m grateful.

Speeches in English

Speech on women’s empowerment
Speech on social media
Speech on environment
Speech on gender equality
Speech on poverty
Speech on Global Warming
Speech on Environmental Pollution
Speech on Earth Day
Speech on Discipline
Speech on Human Rights
Speech on Education
Motivational speech for students
2-minute Self-introduction speech examples
Speech on Mahatma Gandhi
Speech on freedom fighters
Speech on APJ Abdul Kalam
Speech about friendship
Speech about Technology
Speech on Parents
Speech on Health
Speech on Doctor
Speech about Life
Speech on Health and Hygiene
Speech on sports
Speech on Racism
Speech on Mental health
Speech on Population
Speech on Overcoming Fear
Speech about Family
Speech on Mobile Phones
Speech on water conservation
Speech on Honesty
Speech on Culture
Speech on Unity in diversity
Speech on Peace
Speech on Time
Speech on Success
Speech on Leadership

Diversity of plants and related life MCQs
Invertebrate Diversity Past Papers
Chordate Diversity Past Papers & MCQs
Leadership in Diversity and Inclusion MCQs
Pakistan Religious Diversity MCQs
Speech about pen [1,2,3 Minutes short Speech]

Olympic Studies Centre
Olympic Refuge Foundation

Unity in diversity: how the Olympic Games foster inclusion

During Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) Pride Month, which is being celebrated around the world in June, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is highlighting how the Olympic Games are a powerful platform to foster inclusion, diversity and non-discrimination, and where athletes and Olympic Partners have inspired the world through powerful messages.

During recent Olympic Games, athletes shared messages on inclusion that inspired the world

Universality, inclusion and non-discrimination have always been central values of the Olympic Games, also reflected in the Olympic Charter and Olympic Agenda 2020+5

Olympic Partners Coca-Cola and P&G are among those who celebrated unity in diversity at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020

Athletes driving the change

When British diver Tom Daley won gold at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, he revealed how, as an openly gay athlete, he hoped his achievements would help inspire young people around the world who are also part of the LGBTQ+ community.

“When I was younger, I always felt like I was the one who was alone and different and didn’t fit in, and there was something about me that was never going to be as good as society wanted me to be,” he said, after topping the podium in the 10m synchro event alongside Matty Lee.

"I hope that any young LGBTQ+ person out there can see that no matter how alone you feel right now you are not alone. You can achieve anything. And there’s a whole lot of your chosen family out here to support you. I feel incredibly proud to say that I’m a gay man and also an Olympic champion. I feel very empowered by that.”

Daley’s words and achievements have already had an impact, with 17-year-old British footballer Jake Daniels citing the diver’s “courage and determination to drive change” as one of the inspirations behind his own decision to come out publicly last month. And by speaking with pride on the global stage provided by the Olympic Games, Daley, like the many other LGBTQ+ athletes to have competed at the Games, is sure to have inspired countless more people just like Daniels.

And it wasn’t just LGBTQ+ athletes who were highlighting the inclusiveness of sport and the Olympic Games, with South African skateboarder Dallas Oberholzer speaking about the diversity seen in his own sport, which was making its Olympic debut in Tokyo.

“We don’t really care how old or young you are, or your sexual preferences,” he said. “Skateboarding is such a progressive, pioneering lifestyle. It’s all about accepting others, and it just doesn’t matter your personal choices in life. You come and play, and you put your things down and that's it. We all bring something different. And that's what skateboarding is – diversity – but we're still integrated."

The Olympic Games: a platform to foster inclusion

By offering a level playing field for all, the Olympic Games have long provided a powerful platform to promote inclusion, diversity and equality. Indeed, non-discrimination is one of the founding pillars of the Olympic Movement, reflected in the Olympic Charter, Fundamental Principle 4, which states: “The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practising sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.”

In 2014, the IOC further strengthened its commitment to the LGBTQ+ community in particular by amending the Olympic Charter to specifically include non-discrimination with regard to sexual orientation in Fundamental Principle 6, which now states: “The enjoyment of the rights and freedoms set forth in this Olympic Charter shall be secured without discrimination of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, sexual orientation, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.”

The recent approval of Olympic Agenda 2020+5 – the new strategic roadmap of the Olympic Movement – also recognised that gender equality, inclusion and diversity are integral components of fulfilling the IOC’s vision of building a peaceful and better world through sport.

In addition, the IOC has also included sexual orientation in the non-discrimination clause of the Olympic Host Contract for the Olympic Games, requiring all host cities to respect the Fundamental Principles and values of Olympism, in particular the prohibition of any form of discrimination, throughout their entire Games project.

Olympic Partners Coca-Cola and P&G promoting inclusion

That unity in diversity, which is so evident at the Olympic Games, was also celebrated during Tokyo 2020 through a joint campaign run by the IOC and Worldwide Olympic Partner Coca-Cola, which aimed to show how everyone is welcome within the Olympic Movement.

Focusing on the key values of diversity and inclusion, the “I Belong Here” initiative aimed at inspiring a new generation with the belief that, no matter who they are or where they come from, they can find their place in the Olympic community.

In addition, Coca-Cola supported Pride House Tokyo – an information centre and events venue that was established by non-profit organisation Good Aging Yells ahead of the Games, providing Japan’s first permanent LGBTQ+ support centre.

Since the Olympic Games, Pride House Tokyo has been offering a series of seminars to sporting bodies and hosting events to continue to raise awareness of the matter. Earlier this month, the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) signed a framework agreement with the LGBTQ hub Pride House Tokyo to promote inclusiveness in the sporting world.

P&G was another Worldwide Olympic Partner to use the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 to promote equality and inclusion, launching a documentary-style film series co-created with the IOC entitled “Good is Gold” . It told the moving, real-life stories of four Olympic and Paralympic athletes and hopefuls who have taken action against bias and inequality. During the Games, P&G also hosted a virtual panel discussion on the importance of equal representation in sport, which highlighted how LGBTQ+ athletes can give a powerful sense of visibility to the wider LGBTQ+ community when they compete on the Olympic stage.

During that discussion, Brent Miller, Senior Director and Global LGBTQ+ Equality Programme Leader at P&G, spoke about the impact that Olympic athletes like Daley can have when they speak about inclusion and equal representation on such a global stage.

“For these athletes to be so open, honest and authentically who they are, they’re treading a path that is having a profound impact on people’s lives all around the world,” he said. “P&G has been a part of the Olympic Games and a partner of the IOC for a very long time, and we do that because of what we think sport and the Olympics stand for. It’s about bringing people together, supporting people, creating mutual understanding, and really celebrating all of humanity.”

Related News

LA – the city and the soul of the 21st century

How to be a sustainable champion: ideas and inspiration for protecting #onlyoneearth

Olympic venues for #oneplanetearth

Successful first edition of “IOC Certificate: Safeguarding Officer in Sport” course

Why Language Matters for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

By Meera E. Deo

Language matters. How we talk and write about even mundane topics adds context and framing to any discussion. The importance of language is even more critical when navigating sensitive topics, including those involving race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Engaging in these diversity discussions also provides an opportunity to display the fluidity of language in action — the ways in which terms evolve and groups choose new ways to self-identify.

With this in mind, LSAC recently convened an Advisory Group on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Categories (of which I am the Chair) to review how and where LSAC collects data on candidates’ identities. Through a series of ongoing conversations, review of materials, and collective drafting of content, this national group of DEI experts offered advice on the terms LSAC should use for data collection to not only gather valid and reliable data, but also show respect to individuals from different identity backgrounds — with specific attention to groups that are often marginalized or overlooked.

While 81% of Indian American law students have at least one parent who earned a college degree, only 41% of Vietnamese American students do.
A majority (51%) of Filipino American law students graduate with over $120,000 in student debt, compared to only 15% of those who are ethnically Chinese.

Allies are vital too. Allies must recognize and respect the interest in groups evolving their own identities and how they refer to themselves — for instance, from Colored to Negro to African American and Black. Community partners should defer to group priorities and preferences in their own identity and naming. LSAC is doing exactly this through the Advisory Group on DEI Categories, encouraging each expert to share their own research and experiences on language and identity. By synthesizing that advice and drawing from it to craft new categories, LSAC is not only honoring community identity preferences but also prioritizing terms that are correct, respectful, and inclusive.

Share this /

Meera E. Deo

How to Be a Confident Pluralist

Elder D. Todd Christofferson, member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“Lord God of Hosts, Be with Us Yet”

Rev. Dr. Andrew Teal, Chaplain, Fellow, & Lecturer in Theology, Pembroke College

Building a Beloved Community

Hearts Knit Together in Love

A Tie That Binds Us All

Persevere in unity.

Dallin H. Oaks—first counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Racism and Other Challenges

Gathering: education in a compact society.

Strength and Safety Through Gathering

Hard Sayings and Safe Spaces: Making Room for Struggle as Well as Faith

“college song”.

Anatomy of Invention

Life Connected

Unity, Dedication and Commitment

Weightier matters.

Being One with Christ

Enter to Learn: How to Organize According to God’s Laws

“We, Being Many, Are One”

“I Say unto You, Be One”

One Out of Many

Unity in the faith.

LaVell Edwards, former BYU football coach.

Keys to Spiritual Growth—A Game Plan for Life

Conformity and Nonconformity

Unity Under the Gospel

Protecting political freedom.

Speech on Unity in Diversity in simple and easy words

Table of Contents

Speech on Unity in Diversity: India is land that symbolises unity in diversity. Indian culture is the repository of a multiplicity of castes, religions, customs regions and languages. In this aspect, India is unparalleled in the world. The country is home to almost all the religions of the world: Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Islam, Sikhism and Christianity whose followers live in peaceful co-existence despite differences in lifestyles, practices and rites related to birth, marriage, death etc. There are many occasions when one is required to deliver a speech on Unity in Diversity, explaining this ethos in all its dimensions. We are here providing you few speeches on Unity in Diversity. You choose any of them as per your requirement.

Fill Out the Form for Expert Academic Guidance!

Please indicate your interest Live Classes Books Test Series Self Learning

Verify OTP Code (required)

I agree to the terms and conditions and privacy policy .

Fill complete details

Target Exam ---

Speech on Unity in Diversity

Speech on unity in diversity – 1.

Hon’ble Vice President, Respected Principal, Respected Professors and Administration staff members and my dear fellow students,

Today is the Republic Day, the most important day for every Indian; the day when the Constitution of Independent India was formed. Like every year, our college celebrates this significant day with much enthusiasm and vigour. It’s a great honour for me to welcome you all and speak a few lines on this special occasion.

Since the time of Independence, India has witnessed a lot of changes at the political, social and cultural front. But one thing that remains intact is its’ ‘Unity in Diversity’. We all know, Unity is the most influential factor in solving the cultural and social problems. It infuses respect amongst people irrespective of their religious and cultural differences. India is famous for having multi-cultural system and yet people live together with peace and harmony.

India is a colourful country, inhabited by people who believe in different religions, follow different tradition, culture and have their individual belief and lifestyle; yet they come together to celebrate festivals of each other. While Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with a lot of vigour in West India, Diwali, Holi are the attractions for North, Navratra is Gujarat’s heart and Janmashtmi is UP’s soul. This is one of the factors which attract foreign tourists the most and they especially visit India during Holi, Diwali, EiD, Christmas, Lohri, etc. India has the oldest civilization and culture and some of which still being practised today. Though there is no dearth of diverse and assorted cultures in India, it is still an epitome of the famous Slogan ‘Unity in Diversity’.

Our present Indian civilization is sustained and nurtured by the multi-ethnicities of different states. We all are aware that diverse races such as Mughals, Britishers, etc. have migrated into India via sea and land routes. They conquered the country and settled here for several years.

India is a huge and populous country. It has 29 states with 22 official spoken languages, but in reality there are 150 different mother tongues spoken in different parts of the country. This is certainly amazing because despite so many differences, India still stands firm as a strong nation. People here are emotional and that’s the most popular language they understand which keep them united in all aspects. Not only language, but Indians vary from each other in food habit, attire, social and cultural behaviour, ethnicity, festivals and religious beliefs.

The political condition is stable in India and it allows multinational companies to start their venture, which opens up employment opportunities for the Indians. People in India are soft spoken and caring irrespective of the part they belong to.

Not to forget, there are some anti-social elements who try to corrupt the country by their behaviour and activities, yet India remains united. It is the force of our motherland, which give us so much of strength and tolerance to accept the adversity and promote ‘Unity in Diversity’.

Speech on Unity in Diversity – 2

Hello All, Good Evening!

Thanks for coming here and being a part of this discussion. It feels an honour to see you all from different fields gathered here. Today’s discussion is on one of the most relevant topics ‘Unity in Diversity’ that is ‘Anekta Mein Ekta,’ that is synonymous with India.

Today, I would like to share my view on what exactly this term ‘Unity in Diversity’ means. Doesn’t it feel strange when we hear the word Unity – which means being one and Diversity – which means differences, together in one phrase. Yes, it does feel! It makes us wonder how it is feasible that there is a common factor to seemingly heterogeneous things.

It is completely true that Unity in Diversity means the integration of differences; it means the oneness or togetherness in spite of the presence of diverse or different concepts. In the simplest way if I say, it means collating multiple types of things as one.

The best example of explaining Unity in Diversity is talking about the country ‘India’. Just one word India, and massive number of things quickly come to our mind. Isn’t it? Yes, indeed! Different castes, different cultures, different religion, different languages, different customs, different foods and what not! Clubbing of these varied or diverse things in one umbrella is the assimilation of differences and suits so well as an example of: Unity in Diversity.

Binding people of all religions in the bond of humanity is one of the greatest characteristics of India that fits the best as a point of clubbing the differences together at one angle. Visit any office, any school any market or any institution in India and you see the bundle of traditions or castes sitting and working right next to each other, in a spirit of wholeness.

Each diverse bits and pieces united in one bundle – India. This diverse spiral in India leads to it being one of the most famous tourist spot and attracts continuous flow of travellers throughout the year.

Hence if I conclude on my example of India, it’s true that it satisfies on the best parameters of being the country amongst all that is the most integrated, united and a perfect mix of different cultural and traditional flavours. It, indeed, is one of the countries in which people live with peace and harmony despite having multi-cultural systems.

Okay, give it a thought, if you ask a small kid, he will also agree that seeing a single colour on a sheet does not look that attractive in front of that other sheet which has a mix of two or more colours. Similarly, any place that has a combination or a blend of widely spread cultures or traditions seems to be more of an attraction worldwide in comparison to others.

Friends, it is very heartening to see Unity in Diversity around us. Hope you found this discussion useful!

Speech on Unity in Diversity – 3

Ladies and gentlemen!

I have great pleasure to be here today to share my views on the splendid plurality that marks our Indian society, and the unity that keeps us all together in peace and harmony.

With an area of more than 3 million square kilometers, India is the seventh largest country in the world. The physiographic features of the country are diverse and varied. There are the majestic Himalayas in the north, a number of mountain ranges across the country as also many, many rivers and lakes, and forests and mangroves around the country. Then, there is the Thar Desert; seas and the vast Indian Ocean. Likewise, the vegetation found in the different regions is equally diverse, and there is a great variety of fauna that inhabits the different habitats. Diversity is really the hallmark of India.

And what is interesting is the fact that our society too exhibits a great degree of diversity. There are people of different faiths, Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Jews, who follow different traditions and customs and observe their particular festivals and occasions. Then, there is a plethora of cuisines that make it to the dining tables across the country, and there is a great diversity in the costumes and attires that people can be seen in. There is also a great multiplicity in the number of languages and dialects spoken by the people in different states. And just as humongous is, therefore, the literature that these various languages have churned out for the people to feed themselves on. Likewise, the arts, crafts, culture and folklore of each little area of the country is rich and has survived the ravages of time.

While there is a fantastic variety and fabulous diversity that marks Indian society, what is even more fascinating is the unity that weaves together the Indian populace.

What is it that unites the people? What keeps us all as Indians together through thick and thin? It is our passion to make India a glorious nation. We all share our Indian identity. We all live in and make our livelihood in the nation. We all share the pride of our nationhood.

In the stupendous journey to make India the truly great nation, we are coming together more than ever before. We owe everything to our nation. It gives us all a great sense of belonging. Our pride in the Indian nation brings us all, with all our diversity, into a unity that binds us in a spirit of common brotherhood. This sense of brotherhood is what gives our nation the strength to excel. And we value the human heritage that we all share.

Devotion to the cause of national integration has given the country its independent identity, and our loyalty to our pluralist ethos bestows on us a shared identity.

We pride ourselves in our diversity just as we feel great honour in our unity. And that will always be true.

Speech on Unity in Diversity – 4

Respected Principal, members of the faculty, and dear friends of the student community,

It is indeed a matter of great pleasure for me to be here with you today. As we come together to celebrate the unity in diversity that characterizes our Indian society, it seems in place to dwell on what we can, in our capacity as teachers and students, do to augment our unity, keeping intact the diversity that we are so fortunately endowed with.

Here, in this institution, like any other institution, what we have is a microcosm of what makes up India. The diversity that is to be seen in the Indian society is to be witnessed here too, isn’t it?

So if we wish the society that makes up India to be at peace and in harmony, celebrating and fostering its diversity as much as valuing and promoting its unity, we need to live and work in a similar spirit here in this academic institution that we belong to.

Let us celebrate the diversity of faiths by observing the various festivals at the institution with equal fervor, whether it is Diwali; Eid; Christmas; Buddha Purnima; Mahavir Jayanti; Guru Purab or Navroz.

Likewise, let us engage in reading the literature, if only translated in English or in Hindi, of the many vernacular languages of India. It will let us savour the linguistic and literary diversity of the country. And it will help us understand and appreciate the local flavour of the languages and through it the culture and folklore of the area from where the literature has emerged. This in itself will be an education for us. We are indeed fortunate to have the opportunity to be exposed to so many different languages in our country. Not many countries have this opportunity, in fact.

Likewise, we can, as students get to experience first-hand, the diversity the country is endowed with through the excursions we are afforded. In fact, it will help us appreciate and value the diversity, as for instance, the bio-diversity that we have. And this will help us in protecting our natural heritage.

In such attempts and activities, we shall discover our united efforts at protecting our multi-faceted heritage, whether it is of our architecture, culture, art or then nature and flora and fauna.

It is thus through the fostering of our diversity that we shall be successful in forging a unity of the people. In united action to protect our diverse heritage we shall actually be able to showcase our unity in diversity. India has always and shall always be the ideal of and the forerunner in supporting the principle of unity in diversity.

And we, as the younger generation, should enthusiastically engage in this most rewarding work of promoting the kaleidoscopic diversity of the country and the harmonious unity of the people of the land.

In this lies our best interest. And in this lies the highest interest of our great nation, India.

Here are Some helpful Resources

Short Speech on Unity in Diversity in English

Respected Principal, teachers, and my dear friends.

Good morning to all of you.

Today I am going to speak on the topic- Unity in diversity.

The word unity can be defined as a state of being united or joined. Diversity means difference. Hence, unity in diversity means the state of being united despite the differences.

India is a perfect example of unity in diversity. Our countrymen are from diverse backgrounds such as different religions, states, cultures, languages, etc. Still, we call ourselves Indians. We have a common identity.

There are various advantages of unity in diversity. When there is unity in diversity, it means there are people with certain differences. Such differences give exposure. People will interact and respect different opinions.

Unity in diversity helps in solving social problems and promotes a peaceful living. In this case, people know each other and understand each other’s problems. Hence, solutions are given as per the diversity. Riots and disturbances minimize in such situations as people respect each other.

Unity in diversity also promotes cooperation as people have something common. For example, our freedom fighters were from different cultures and backgrounds. They fought together for a common goal and that was India’s independence.

This concept of unity in diversity is very important for the progress of human society. We all are unique creatures but there is always a common thing that exists amongst us and that is we all are humans. If we work together in unity, we can bring positive changes in society.

India is a perfect example of achieving growth with unity in diversity. It is a country where the biggest ground for diversity is language. It has around 22 languages. But any kind of difference never became a hindrance to the development of the country. This is clearly visible when we compare today’s development with the development at the time of independence.

In short, it is integral for the overall development of society. No country with a diverse culture can survive without unity in diversity.

Thank you all for listening to me.

Table of Contents

Question on Unity in Diversity

What is unity in diversity in short, what is unity in diversity india, related posts:.

Business Phrases in English for Meetings, Emails and Conversations [List of 372]
42 Best Ideas For Writing a School Essay: A Guide
Random Funny Joke Generator [with Answers]
2 Minute Speech On Unity In Diversity In India
Random Joke of the Day Generator
Howl Poem By Allen Ginsberg Summary, Notes and Line by Line Explanation in English

An official website of the United States government

The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Publications
Account settings

Preview improvements coming to the PMC website in October 2024. Learn More or Try it out now .

Advanced Search
Journal List
Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci
v.366(1563); 2011 Feb 12

Unity and diversity in human language

Human language is both highly diverse—different languages have different ways of achieving the same functional goals—and easily learnable. Any language allows its users to express virtually any thought they can conceptualize. These traits render human language unique in the biological world. Understanding the biological basis of language is thus both extremely challenging and fundamentally interesting. I review the literature on linguistic diversity and language universals, suggesting that an adequate notion of ‘formal universals’ provides a promising way to understand the facts of language acquisition, offering order in the face of the diversity of human languages. Formal universals are cross-linguistic generalizations, often of an abstract or implicational nature. They derive from cognitive capacities to perceive and process particular types of structures and biological constraints upon integration of the multiple systems involved in language. Such formal universals can be understood on the model of a general solution to a set of differential equations; each language is one particular solution. An explicit formal conception of human language that embraces both considerable diversity and underlying biological unity is possible, and fully compatible with modern evolutionary theory.

1. Introduction

Because of its central role in human culture and cognition, language has long been a core concern in discussions about human evolution. Languages are learned and culturally transmitted over generations, and vary considerably between human cultures. But any normal child from any part of the world can, if exposed early enough, easily learn any language, suggesting a universal genetic basis for language acquisition. In contrast, chimpanzees, our nearest living relatives, are unable to acquire language in anything like its human form. This indicates some key components of the genetic basis for this human ability evolved in the last 5–6 Myr of human evolution, but went to fixation before the diaspora of humans out of Africa roughly 50 000 years ago. Darwin recognized a dual basis for language in biology and culture: ‘language is … not a true instinct, for every language has to be learnt. It differs, however, widely from all ordinary arts, for man has an instinctive tendency to speak, as we see in the babble of our young children; while no child has an instinctive tendency to brew, bake or write’ [ 1 , p. 55].

Attempts to understand the diversity or the unity of human languages can select as their focus from among a variety of potential genetic, developmental and cultural/historical explanatory factors. As a result, the literature on human language universals is full of competing models and long-running arguments, spanning many disciplines including linguistics, evolutionary biology, anthropology, psychology and history. My goal in this review is to summarize and synthesize this often contentious literature from a biological viewpoint, surveying both abstract universals underlying human language and the considerable diversity of human languages.

My starting point will be the perspective on language developed by Darwin [ 1 ], in which all humans are born with an instinctual desire to learn language, and the neural equipment to do so. Darwin emphasized the aspects of human cognition shared with other animals, but he also recognized that certain aspects of our behaviour demand special explanation. Considering the biology of language, Darwin saw birdsong as the nearest animal analogue, because young songbirds must learn their song by listening to conspecifics. This leads to ‘dialect’ differences within a species, partly analogous to the diversity of languages. In modern terms, both birdsong and language are acquired via a specialized ‘instinct to learn’ [ 2 ]. Despite a polarizing tendency among modern scholars to classify human language as either ‘learned’ or ‘innate’, a Darwinian perspective explicitly embraces both of these factors (cf. [ 3 ]).

My second core assumption is that the human capacity to acquire language is composed of multiple separable but interacting mechanisms, no one of which alone is adequate for language acquisition [ 4 , 5 ]. While some of these mechanisms may be unique to humans and to language (the subset termed ‘faculty of language in the narrow sense’ (FLN) by [ 5 ]), most of them will be shared in what we termed the ‘faculty of language in a broad sense’ (FLB). Clearly, this broad set of mechanisms, not the uniquely human subset, makes up the human ‘instinct to learn language’. It is irrelevant to the child acquiring language whether some component of its innate endowment is unique to our species, or shared broadly with other primates or vertebrates; what matters is that the capacity itself need not be learned, and thus provides a leg up during language acquisition.

If most of the mechanisms underlying human language are shared with other species or cognitive domains, why mention FLN at all? One reason is interdisciplinary: for many scholars, particularly linguists, the term ‘language’ connotes this ‘special’ subset of cognitive mechanisms, and FLN provides a moniker that is less apt to be misunderstood than language. Thus, statements about ‘language’ that might seem non-sensical, applied to FLB, may be perfectly reasonable if they concern FLN. Another important reason is cautionary: that subset of mechanisms that comprise the FLN will be the most resistant to comparative study, and their study will be particularly difficult and may demand different approaches than most aspects of human biology. But, as clearly stated by Fitch et al . [ 4 ], FLN is not the only, or even the most, important focus of biolinguistic research. This point will resurface repeatedly in the current paper.

A final set of assumptions incorporates some widely accepted observations from modern linguistics. First, although every child can learn their native language(s) with little or no explicit tuition, language acquisition is a supremely complex task [ 6 ]. Despite five decades of research, and billions in funding, our most powerful computers are still not up to the task. Nor have linguists been able to create a complete and adequate grammar for any single language. The second observation is that every language can flexibly and creatively communicate thoughts between its speakers and listeners [ 7 ]. Although languages vary considerably in the ways in which they do so, and in the complexity of different subcomponents of language, no language is in toto superior or ‘more complex’ than any other (possible exceptions include very young languages, such as creoles, but even here opinions are divided [ 8 , 9 ]). The persistent notion that some languages are ‘better than’ others, in one way or another, is today seen as a parochial myth. Third, a vast store of information in any human language must be learned (least controversially, every word of every language is learned), and thus contemporary debates concern not this fact, but whether a human child is born with a set of mechanisms or constraints that help this learning along [ 10 , 11 ]. No linguist believes that ‘language is innate’ in any simple superficial sense.

Beyond these basic facts, both the existence of language universals and their innate basis are highly controversial topics. Despite a long history of study (starting with [ 12 ]), even the existence of language universals has recently been termed a ‘myth’ [ 13 ]. Although few modern commentators deny that the child's capacity to rapidly acquire its language(s) rests upon some genetic basis, debate rages over whether this genetically given endowment is specific to humans or specific to language (e.g. [ 4 , 14 , 15 ]) and whether it represents a specific adaptation for language or an unselected by-product of other factors such as constraints on brain development [ 16 – 20 ]. While many see the cultural evolution of individual languages as a route to understanding the biological basis for language acquisition [ 21 ], others see it as an argument against any evolved genetic basis [ 22 ]. Still others see cultural change as demanding new paradigms for thinking about language as an evolved trait [ 23 , 24 ]. Recent attempts to extend biological theory and methodology to incorporate cultural change include phylogenetic techniques originally developed by evolutionary biologists [ 25 ], extension of niche construction theory to the cultural domain [ 26 ] and development of selection-based models of cultural evolution and cultural group selection [ 27 – 29 ]. At present, these new perspectives remain poorly integrated into the long-running debate concerning linguistic universals and diversity.

In this review, I begin by defining some terminology, and then concisely review the literature concerning language universals and language diversity. This review clearly indicates that both diversity and universality of various kinds exist, and require biological explanation. I argue that the traditional approach to this problem, which dichotomizes between ‘general purpose’ and ‘specially adapted’ mechanisms, leads down a blind alley, and has been an unproductive focus of debate. I suggest that a focus on specific neural and genetic mechanisms involved in language acquisition is more likely to be illuminating, and that such mechanisms are unlikely to fall into neat categories, whether psychological (e.g. specialized versus general purpose) or linguistic (e.g. phonology, syntax and semantics). A generalized evolutionary theory incorporating both cultural and phylogenetic change must both embrace linguistic diversity and continue searching for language universals and their mechanistic basis. As in biology more generally, a thorough study of diversity is necessary to delineate universal constraints. These are not competing, alternative approaches. Finally, as a first step in this direction, I sketch a conceptual framework, modelled on differential equations, that easily incorporates unity and diversity into a comprehensive, explicit framework.

(a) Terminology

I use ‘language’ to denote any system that freely allows concepts to be mapped to signals, where the mapping is bi-directional (going from concepts to signals and vice versa) and exhaustive (any concept, even one never before considered, can be so mapped). Although there is nothing restricting language to humans in this definition, by current knowledge only humans possess a communication system with these properties. Although all animals communicate, and all vertebrates (at least) have concepts, most animal communication systems allow only a small subset of an individual's concepts to be expressed as signals (e.g. threats, mating, food or alarm calls, etc.).

I will restrict my use of the term ‘evolution’ to change in gene frequency in populations (its modern Darwinian sense). Considerable misunderstandings have been created by the use of ‘language evolution’ to refer to the purely cultural, historical process whereby a language like Latin morphed over time into French, Spanish or Italian; I adopt the term ‘glossogeny’ to refer to this form of cultural, historical change, following Hurford [ 30 ], and when necessary ‘phylogeny’ to denote biological evolution. Study of the biology of language must include both phylogenetic and glossogenetic components [ 3 , 31 ].

Darwin freely used the words ‘innate’ and ‘instinct’ [ 1 , 32 , 33 ], but, despite its wide use in psychology and linguistics [ 34 ] and despite some impassioned biological defences [ 35 ], the term ‘innate’ is today seen by some biologists as hopelessly confused and confusing (e.g.[ 36 ]). Nonetheless, some genetic basis for language acquisition is implied by the very notion that the ‘instinct to learn language’ evolved. The term ‘innate’ can defensibly be used as a shorthand for ‘reliably developing’ or ‘canalized’ [ 37 ]. An ‘instinct’ is any innate cognitive mechanism or behaviour pattern, including those mechanisms underlying learning. Thus, there is no contradiction in postulating an ‘instinct to learn’ language [ 2 , 38 , 39 ], and seeing its study as a central component of biological linguistics. Only an outmoded and oversimplistic view sees nature and nurture as dichotomous opposing explanations, rather than complementary aspects of epigenetic developmental explanations [ 40 ].

2. unity and diversity of language from the viewpoint of linguistics

(a) language universals and ‘universal grammar’.

Although the modern use of the term ‘universal grammar’ is today mostly connected with the ideas of Noam Chomsky, both the term and concept have a far older history (cf. [ 41 , 42 ]). In its original usage, universal grammar denoted those aspects of a language that are so general and widely shared that they do not need to be mentioned in the particular grammar of any one language. For example, in 1788, James Beattie said of languages that ‘though each has peculiarities, whereby it is distinguished from every other, yet all have certain qualities in common. The peculiarities of individual tongues are explained in their respective grammars and dictionaries. Those things, that all languages have in common, or that are necessary to every language, are treated of in a science, which some have called universal or philosophical grammar’ (quoted in [ 41 ]). Such facts as ‘languages contain meaningful words’ or ‘utterances express meanings’ were seen as too obvious to require mention in a grammar of Latin or French. Of course, such general principles might not be obvious to a Martian or a chimpanzee; ‘obvious’ does not imply ‘logically necessary’. Understanding this broadly shared basis for language, whatever it might be, was seen as central to understanding human nature by many eighteenth-century philosophers.

In this original form, there was a fairly transparent connection between the notion of ‘language universals’ and universal grammar, and one implied the other. However, by the 1960s a far broader understanding of the world's linguistic diversity made it seem unlikely that all languages would share any particular superficial features. In a seminal volume, a team of structuralist linguists led by Joseph Greenberg initiated the modern search for universals with an acknowledgement of this fact [ 12 ]. Greenberg and colleagues distinguished between several classes of regularities—‘universals’ in a ‘somewhat extended sense’ [ 43 , p. xviii]. Such regularities go beyond the truly universal regularities expected by Beattie. In particular, this new search for cross-linguistic regularities sought two new categories of ‘universal’. ‘Universal implications’ take the form that ‘if x is present in a language, then y will be as well’. For example, if a language has a dual case, it will have a plural as well. Such implications might be true of all languages, without implying that either x or y is present in all languages. Such implications took a first crucial step towards the kind of abstraction that characterizes modern approaches to language universals [ 12 , 44 – 46 ].

Greenberg and colleagues also discussed what they called ‘statistical universals’, which are of the form ‘for every language, x is more probable than y’ or ‘if a language has x, then it is more likely to have y than z’. An example of the first type is that suffixing is more common than prefixing which is more common than infixing. The second type is illustrated by the fact that, with only a few exceptions, languages that mark gender in the second person also mark it in the third person. Finally, Greenberg and colleagues highlighted the search for relationships among different universals. For example, the existence of double consonants at the beginning of a syllable implies, for all languages, the existence of single consonants (but not vice versa). Similarly, triple consonant clusters imply double consonant clusters. These two regularities are related by a more abstract rule: ‘(for n > 0), if n consonants can cluster, so can n − 1 consonants’.

A different class of universals were highlighted by the linguist Charles Hockett, who reasoned that a search for universals should start by comparing human language with animal communication systems [ 47 ]. Amplifying upon his famous ‘design features’ of human language [ 48 ], he argued that all spoken languages show a wide variety of universal traits ( table 1 ), and that this combination of features is found in no other species. While some of these features would be modified today (e.g. Hockett focused only on spoken language, while today linguists agree that signed languages are full, complete human languages), many have stood the test of time. Increasing knowledge has revealed occasional exceptions to features that Hockett viewed as absolute universals, rendering them (highly probably) statistical generalizations rather than strictly present in every language. A recent example is ‘duality of patterning’. Languages use a limited set of meaningless items (phonemes) to build up a much larger set of meaningful words, and then, at a second level, recombine these words into sentences that also have meaning. Research on a recently developed Bedouin sign language suggests that this language, alone in the world, lacks such duality of patterning [ 8 ]. But this single exception does not invalidate the regularity. Instead, it suggests that a new language must exist for more than a few generations before it develops duality during glossogeny. Furthermore, this exception offers the exciting possibility of observing and studying the emergence of a language universal, of catching glossogeny in the act of generating a design principle of language.

Table 1.

Hockett's design features of language, and resulting universals.

In summary, from its beginnings, the modern linguistic quest for language universals has sought probabilistic regularities that are abstract and implicational (rather than universally present). The authors assembled by Greenberg [ 12 ] also saw the statement of universals as a first step in discovering the principles of language acquisition, psycholinguistics or sociology that create such static patterns, and sought to understand both regularities and the processes that generate them. Finally, they recognized that the discovery of language universals, in this extended sense of abstract cross-linguistic generalizations, particularly in comparison with communication systems in other animals, must play an important role in a biological understanding of human language.

(b) Universal grammar and Noam Chomsky

At roughly the same time, a revolution was occurring in linguistics, with the introduction of generative linguistics by Noam Chomsky and his colleagues (cf. [ 49 ]). Chomsky broke with the previous structuralist tradition in several ways, but the most relevant here is that he emphasized the complexity of syntax, and thus the seemingly miraculous fact that every child implicitly does what generations of linguists have so far failed to achieve explicitly: learn the complete grammar of a language. Chomsky argued that the child comes into the world biologically equipped to learn language, and adapted the old term ‘universal grammar’ to denote this innate biological endowment, whatever it might be. Chomsky also highlighted its essential role in the universal ‘creative’ aspects of every language, which ‘provides the means for expressing indefinitely many thoughts and for reacting appropriately in an indefinite range of new situations’ [ 41 , p. 6]—the property that most clearly distinguishes language from other animal communication systems. Chomsky's new interpretation of the term universal grammar (henceforth abbreviated UG) thus placed the creative, productive aspect of language at centre stage.

Chomsky extended the abstraction of the term universal even further than Greenberg and colleagues, recognizing two further categories of abstract universal. ‘Substantive universals’ make claims about the inventory of units from which a language is built. For example, structuralist phonologists argued that all phonemes of all languages are built up of a small set of distinctive features (such as voiced/unvoiced) and the Port Royal Grammarians suggested that all languages must have nouns and verbs. Chomsky further suggested ‘that each language will contain terms that designate persons or lexical items referring to certain specific kinds of objects, feelings, behaviour, and so on’ [ 41 , p. 28]. Substantive universals are regularities at a relatively superficial descriptive level.

Chomsky also highlighted a second more abstract type of universal. ‘Formal universals’ involve the types of rules and regularities that can occur in a language, and the ways in which they can interact. In syntax, for example, a core idea of generative grammar is that phrases and sentences have a tree-like structure: they cannot be fully understood as simple strings of words. An example of a formal universal would be that syntactic rules apply to such trees (rather than, say, serial word order) and thus that syntactic rules need to be stated in structural rather than serial terms. At the semantic level, Chomsky proposed ‘that proper names … must designate objects meeting a condition of spatio-temporal contiguity’ or that ‘colour words of any language must subdivide the colour spectrum into continuous segments’ as examples of plausible formal universals. Note that there is no restriction in these examples to syntax, nor stipulation that such formal universals are somehow encapsulated to language: the colour example clearly involves an interface to the sensory world of vision to even be meaningful. Indeed, Chomsky emphasized that ‘we do not, of course, imply that the functions of language acquisition are carried out by entirely separate components of the abstract mind or the physical brain’ and that ‘it is an important problem for psychology to determine to what extent other aspects of cognition share properties of language acquisition and language use … to develop a richer and more comprehensive theory of mind’ [ 41 , p. 207]. Thus, despite a possible connotation that universal grammar is specific to syntax, or to language more broadly, Chomsky specifically denied any strict separation of language and other aspects of the human mind in his re-introduction of this term. The notion that UG concerns only syntax is probably the most pernicious of a number of common misinterpretations of UG; see ch. 4 of Jackendoff [ 50 ] for a more complete list, and rebuttals.

UG is thus nothing more or less than an abstract characterization of the human language faculty (FLB)—the instinct to learn language—including all of its mechanisms and their interactions. It is unsurprising that the last 40 years have seen considerable debate concerning its nature: we would not expect the formidable task of characterizing this key element of human cognition to yield easily to linguistic research. Thus, many researchers united in their search for the innate basis of the FLB have offered diverse approaches to linguistic theory, representing different theoretical gambits concerning the contents and nature of this faculty. Chomsky's most recent tack is dubbed ‘The Minimalist Programme’ [ 51 ] because it seeks to reduce those aspects of the human mind that are specific to language and syntax to a bare minimum, perhaps as little as one powerful operation called ‘Merge’. Most other universal features of language acquisition would then result from other aspects of the human mind (cognitive, perceptual or motor skills), or from the interactions of these cognitive mechanisms with this minimal syntactic core.

In contrast, more elaborate models of UG posit an extensive suite of human- and language-specific mechanisms, running the gamut from speech perceptual and vocal tract adaptations to high-level syntactic structures [ 14 , 50 , 52 ]. An increasingly popular formalism called ‘optimality theory’ [ 53 , 54 ] posits an innate set of constraints on language and proposes that language acquisition requires the developing child to implicitly rank these constraints. Radical construction grammar proposes that abstract universals will only be found ‘in the patterned variation of constructions and the categories they define’ [ 55 , p. 5]. Numerous theorists have suggested that universals result from processing or other ‘performance’ constraints (cf. [ 24 , 45 ]), while Levinson and colleagues cite conversational constraints upon turn-taking as plausible universals [ 56 ]. Finally, some approaches to linguistics suggest that essentially nothing in the FLB is specific to language (see the collection in Tomasello [ 57 ]). Such ‘cognitive’ or ‘functional’ approaches are often favoured by psychologists or anthropologists, who reject the notion that the toolkit of language acquisition and processing includes any ‘tools’ specific to language. Although proponents of such approaches often strongly reject the term universal grammar (e.g. [ 58 ]), cognitive universals spanning beyond language are nonetheless part and parcel of the traditional search for universal aspects of the human language faculty and their biological bases.

As emphasized in the useful overview of Jackendoff [ 50 ], such diversity of opinion is to be expected, and is a healthy sign of science at work. When scientists reach broad agreement about the nature of the FLB, the constraints that our innate endowment places on human languages and the manner in which this endowment aids the child in language acquisition, we will have solved some of the most fundamental problems in human biology. It would be naive to expect such a holy grail to yield quickly or easily to scientific research. To give some sense of the state of play, I have listed a number of proposed features of universal grammar in table 2 . These are not intended to be either exhaustive or necessarily self-consistent, but rather to provide a sense of the kinds of features and issues that are currently being debated. Many of these universals have at least one language that appears to be an exception (cf. [ 13 ]), though many exceptions are debated by other experts (cf. the commentaries on that article). It can hardly be doubted that this debate will continue for many more years.

Table 2.

A sampling of linguistic proposals concerning language universals.

In summary, the search for linguistic universals has proceeded from the eighteenth-century assumption of a rather superficial list of features common to languages (every language has words, every language has nouns and verbs) to a far more abstract set of generalizations and regularities about the human language faculty , and the biological endowment that a human child uses to acquire language [ 41 , 42 ]. These regularities will certainly incorporate more general aspects of cognition, including aspects of perception, motor control or conceptual structure that predated language in human evolutionary history. From this abstract perspective, UG is not reducible to a list of properties universally found in every language, nor does its existence imply such a list. As Jackendoff [ 50 ] puts it, UG is a characterization of the toolkit the child uses in language acquisition, not a list of universal features of adult languages. Jackendoff emphasizes that ‘not every mechanism provided by universal grammar appears in every language’ since ‘when you have a toolkit, you are not obliged to use every tool for every job’. It is quite unfortunate, then, that many critics have conflated UG and surface language universals, and proffered the discovery of exceptions to some broad regularity as a refutation of UG (e.g. [ 13 , 59 ]). As Roman Jakobson, a tireless defender of the search for universals, pointed out, ‘a rule requiring amendment is more useful than the absence of any rule’ [ 60 , p. 147]. The notion of UG is perfectly compatible with a very broad range of linguistic diversity, evolving via cultural processes, and indeed has developed over many decades with precisely this diversity in mind.

(c) The diversity of human languages

Within the broadly defined and still incomplete set of commonalities and regularities discussed above, the diversity of existing human languages is quite astounding (cf. [ 13 ]). The closest non-human analogue to this culturally transmitted diversity comes from the song systems of some songbirds (e.g. mimic thrushes like the brown thrasher [ 61 , 62 ]) or humpback whales [ 63 – 65 ], but I know of no animal communication system that comes close to matching the range of diversity in the more than 6000 existing human languages (ethnologue currently reports 6909: www.ethnologue.com ). Diversity itself is an important aspect of the biology of language, clearly tied to the learned, culturally transmitted aspects of human language [ 28 ].

Within these broad constraints, virtually every aspect of human language is variable. A fundamental difference is modality , which varies between spoken languages and over 100 signed languages, expressed via manual and facial movements. Signed and spoken languages are equivalent in their complexity and expressive power, despite using completely different input/output mechanisms [ 66 – 68 ]. Although many animal communication systems contain both visual and auditory components, there is no non-human system in which one modality can be completely replaced by another and yet convey identical messages [ 69 ].

In the domain of sound systems, all spoken languages include consonants and vowels, but there is huge variation in the number of phonemes, from 11 to roughly 150 [ 13 , 70 ]. Among vowels, many of the world's languages have only three vowels, and the mean number is five [ 71 , 72 ], making the English vowel system rather rich with its 15 or so vowels (despite our writing system making do with six). Consonants are even more variable in number and type [ 73 ].

Nonetheless, the diversity of human vowel systems is underlain by well-understood regularities. Vowel systems provide an excellent model system for understanding the interactions between cultural transmission, communicative efficiency and universality. Across many languages, the distribution of vowels in formant space changes systematically as vowel number increases. This pattern can be duplicated by a simple mathematical model of energy-optimized intelligibility [ 74 ]. Computer simulations that explicitly model glossogeny converge on a set of vowel patterns quite similar to those observed in real languages [ 75 – 77 ], suggesting that cultural transmission plays a central role, though always within biologically imposed limits. These universal regularities in vowel systems can be understood as resulting from an interaction between biologically given aspects of human audition and vocal production (the ear and vocal tract) with constraints of communication, intelligibility and ease of production, and optimized over many generations. Vowel systems are thus one of several abstract universals that derive from an interaction of biologically given and glossogenetic forces; they illustrate the futility of attempts to assign such aspects of language to one or the other of these categories.

Words and their internal morphological structure are one of the most variable aspects of language. ‘Morphemes’ are meaningful units of language; they include free morphemes (words like ‘dog’ or ‘bark’) and bound morphemes that must be attached to other morphemes, like the English ‘-ed’ marking past tense, or ‘-s’ marking plurals. These morphemes can be combined to form multi-morphemic words like ‘dogs’ or ‘barked’. So-called ‘isolating’ languages (e.g. Chinese) lack such morphological processes almost entirely, while ‘polysynthetic’ languages have vast complex stores of bound morphemes serving functions that, in English, are accomplished by adjectives, adverbs or syntax [ 78 ]. Such languages are widespread, including Ainu in Japan, Chukchi in Siberia and Mohawk and many other Native American languages [ 79 ]. In most of these languages, a single ‘word’ can express complex meanings that in English or other European languages would require an entire phrase or sentence.

Turning to syntax, while the word classes ‘noun’ and ‘verb’ appear to be universal, some languages appear to lack such familiar classes as adjectives and adverbs. Further, there are important word classes in other languages that seem unfamiliar to Europeans, such as ‘classifiers’ or ‘coverbs’ (cf. [ 13 , 55 , 80 ]). Other languages take the onomatopoeia expressed in English words like ‘meow’ or ‘moo’, or the sound symbolism in words like ‘glitter’, ‘gleam’, ‘glisten’, ‘glimmer’ (for shimmering light) to a far more complex and productive level. Such syntactically peculiar ‘ideophone’ systems [ 81 , 82 ] can include thousands of items (e.g. Japanese ‘doki doki’ for ‘heart-pounding excitement’).

At the level of semantics, languages obviously vary considerably in words involving technology: such nouns as ‘keyboard’ or ‘laptop’ are recent English acquisitions, while older nouns like ‘calash’ and ‘futchel’ (parts of horse-drawn carriages) have virtually disappeared in 100 years. Beyond such superficial variation in the lexicon, languages vary considerably in their colour system or number system (although virtually all languages distinguish ‘one’, ‘two’ and ‘many’, and colours follow universal patterns [ 83 , 84 ]). For spatial vocabulary, some languages use absolute references rather than locally defined spatial terms to denote location: rather than saying ‘the chair on your right’ they would say ‘the chair to your north’ [ 85 ].

Finally, at a pragmatic level, there can be huge variation within a single language in terms of the words, syntax and even phonetics used by men and women, or language used between social equals versus between dominant and subordinate individuals. The common distinction in European languages between informal and formal ‘you’ (e.g. ‘tu/vous’ in French or ‘du/Sie’ in German) pales in comparison to the extensive differentiation found in Japanese or many other languages.

Although this brief overview gives only a taste of the kind of variation seen among languages, it shows that many ‘universal features’ one might guess at, based on their ubiquity in European languages, are not shared by many other languages in the world. This fact led many of the early American linguists engaged in documenting Native American languages to believe in essentially unconstrained variation. Nonetheless, for all of the examples above, linguists have uncovered regularities revealing constraints on the form of possible human languages. We now turn to the mechanisms underlying these regularities.

3. a biological perspective on language diversity

A tension between diversity and universality is a long-running theme in biology. For example, a distinction is often made in systematics between ‘lumpers’ who, recognizing the fundamental affinities of a clade, combine them in one group, and ‘splitters’ who, emphasizing the differences, split them into multiple groups. A similar distinction can be made among students of language. Nothing of deep significance rests on this distinction, because a fundamental contribution of Darwin's notion of ‘descent with modification’ is that evolution generates groups of organisms related in a tree-like fashion. It is essentially a matter of taste whether one emphasizes the twigs or the main branches; both are important and both need to be recognized and studied. These observations are as true of glossogeny, the cultural evolution process that generates languages, as for biological evolution, and indeed many of the same tools can thus be fruitfully used to analyse them [ 25 , 86 , 87 ].

An analogy to the diversity and unity of languages is provided by features of our own vast phylum, the vertebrates. Universal vertebrate features are encompassed in the notion of a Bauplan : a ‘body plan’ that includes (or included during development) a notochord running down the spine, and bony vertebrae built around it. To this are attached ribs and generally appendages. A mouth at the front of the animal serves for both food and respiration, and is followed by branchial arches forming jaws, gills or other diverse structures. Many other shared traits also characterize most vertebrates, but these few suffice to make the point: each of these traits is absent or modified in one or a few species, but this does not render the notion of the body plan vacuous. So, for example, snakes have lost their limbs and sharks and rays have lost their bony skeleton [ 88 ]. In much the same way, we expect the ‘basic body plan’ of language to have certain characteristics that are common or even ubiquitous, but should not be surprised to find exceptions to some or even all of the ‘standard’ characteristics. Thus, when scholars cite unusual languages as a refutation of the entire concept of UG (e.g. [ 13 , 59 ]), they both overlook the nature of biological systems, which typically allow exceptions, and ignore many explicit hypotheses about UG that have been offered over the years.

(a) ‘General’ versus ‘specialized’ mechanisms as a false dichotomy

Much of the current debate within linguistics concerning universals centres not on whether some regularities, suitably abstract or statistical, exist. All commentators agree the answer is yes, perhaps with occasional exceptions. The arguments concern whether these result from cultural or biological factors, and if biological whether the underlying mechanisms are specific to language or result from some more general cognitive constraints (e.g. the vocal or auditory apparatus, pragmatics, functional constraints on communication, or limitations of short-term memory). Given the fact that human cultural capacities themselves rest upon a unique biological basis, the debate actually hinges on a distinction between ‘general cognitive’ and ‘specifically linguistic’ neural mechanisms in our species.

I suggest that from a biological viewpoint this distinction is unproductive and misleading, and that the debates surrounding it have led cognitive science down a blind alley. Whether we consider neural mechanisms underlying language, the genetic mechanisms that allow them to develop reliably in our species or the evolutionary factors that led to these factors, the ‘language-specific’ versus ‘general cognitive’ distinction becomes vague and unhelpful. This is not, of course, because the study of such neural and genetic mechanisms, or the developmental, cultural and evolutionary processes that generate them, is vague or meaningless—quite the contrary. Rather, it is because the interwoven causal forces that underlie these mechanisms and processes do not admit of simple explanations, where each outcome is associated with a single reified ‘cause’ or ‘function’. Development involves cycles of causation, where variables that are initially effects later act back upon their previous causes. Development involves a cascade of such cyclically causal complexes, allowing initially simple systems to differentiate and increase in complexity. This epigenetic perspective allows resolution of many otherwise paradoxical observations, but demands that we relinquish simple linear notions of causality implicit in traditional preformationist and/or instructivist models [ 89 ]. Adult mechanisms will not be explained in terms of simple, singular ‘original causes’, whether functional, developmental or evolutionary.

To illustrate, consider a few well-defined mechanisms involved in spoken language. First, the capacity for vocal imitation, unique to humans among primates, appears to rest on the existence of direct connections between lateral motor cortex and the motor neurons serving the larynx, tongue and respiratory muscles (reviewed in [ 90 ]). Such connections exist in humans and not other primates [ 91 ], but comparable connections also exist in vocally imitating birds [ 92 , 93 ]. The capacity for vocal imitation, and thus this neural mechanism, is a central requirement for culturally shared spoken language. Can we thus say that this mechanism ‘evolved for’ spoken language? Not necessarily—increased vocal control and imitation of vocalization also plays a central and necessary role in human song [ 94 ]. While some scholars have argued that song, or music in general, is non-adaptive, unselected by-products of language (e.g. [ 95 ]), others since Darwin have suggested that music evolved before, and paved the way for, spoken language [ 1 , 96 ]. Thus, the question of whether direct vocal-motor connections are specifically ‘for’ language or not hinges on a debate about original function that is very difficult to resolve empirically, rather than any facts about the current function or mechanistic basis of human vocal control. In any case, the mechanism is both shared with song, and with other species, and is squarely part of FLB.

A genetic example is provided by the FOXP2 gene, which plays a key role in the control of complex, sequential oral and facial movements in human speech [ 97 ]. The gene itself represents an ancient transcription factor, widely shared among vertebrates, and the human version contains two amino acid differences that are shared by virtually all humans and not present in chimpanzees or other primates [ 98 ]. Mutations in the gene in human clinical cases lead to severe vocal motor apraxia and speech deficits [ 99 ]. Is the human allele of FOXP2 ‘for’ language? Proponents would cite the specificity of the mutated genes effects in humans: it specifically and severely affects speech, and not singing, or other more general aspects of cognition [ 100 ]. Sceptics would point out that FOXP2 is also expressed in the lungs and other tissues, that it also affects non-speech control of the mouth (especially complex sequences of movements) and that speech is not language. While FOXP2 is expressed in traditional cerebral ‘language areas’, it is also expressed in cerebellum and basal ganglia [ 101 ]. Finally, FOXP2 plays a role in bird song learning [ 102 , 103 ], again placing it squarely in the FLB. Nonetheless, it seems likely that the selective sweep that drove the new, human allele of FOXP2 to fixation in the hominid population leading to modern humans had something to do with its role in human spoken language (cf. [ 104 ]). But again, this specific genetic mechanism defies simplistic attempts at functional categorization as general versus specialized. A similar point might be made about recent suggestions that intraspecific variation in genes associated with brain development might subtly affect the propensity of a population, over many generations, to adopt a tonal language [ 105 ]. If true, this link need not imply that these genes are ‘for’ language in any meaningful sense.

As a final example, consider ‘Broca's area’—a region of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex whose destruction in adult humans typically causes severe aphasia. Although Broca originally considered this brain area to be specific to speech production, research on aphasics in the 1970s suggested that the region also plays a central role in syntax perception (e.g. [ 106 ]), a conclusion that has been verified and extended by modern brain imaging research (e.g. [ 107 ]). Nonetheless, brain imaging work using different protocols has provided ample evidence that parts of this region play a role in non-linguistic cognitive processes, loosely captured by the notion of ‘switching’ and cognitive control [ 108 ], while its right-hemisphere homologue appears to play a role in music perception [ 109 , 110 ]. Furthermore, it is clear that both the cognitive and linguistic functions normally subserved by Broca's area can be accomplished by other brain regions in cases of early brain damage [ 111 ]. That Broca's area is involved in general cognition, in addition to its linguistic functions, suggests that its linguistic specializations are a subset of more general, and presumably primitive, cognitive functions. Again, however, it is difficult to determine whether the non-linguistic functions of this region (cognitive switching or music) are non-adaptive by-products of some originally linguistic function, or whether the linguistic functions are specializations of some more general capacity. Furthermore, it is unclear why resolving this point should be a central concern of those interested in understanding the computations performed by this region of cortex, the core concern of neurolinguistics (cf. [ 112 ]).

What all of these examples make clear is that the distinction between general and linguistically specialized mechanisms is hard to draw, even in those cases where the mechanisms themselves seem fairly clearly defined. Most areas of language are not, and will not soon be, so clearly defined, and thus the distinction itself is of little use in furthering our understanding of the mechanisms. The same is true, more so, for debates about the original function of these mechanisms (cf. [ 4 ]). Thus, the long-running arguments surrounding such distinctions seem likely to continue generating much heat and little light, and to obscure the more basic empirical issues of what the basic mechanisms underlying language are, how they function at physiological and computational levels and whether or not they are shared with other species. Neither the original meaning of the term universal grammar, nor Chomsky's later re-deployment of the term in its modern UG guise, depends on the degree of linguistic specialization of the universal constraints that act on the development of human language. Even the question of human specificity is irrelevant to whether a given cognitive mechanism plays a universal role in structuring human language: indeed the more ancient and widely shared constraints (e.g. limited short-term memory) are the most likely to play a central and universal role in structuring languages. Core mechanisms underlying language can be innate and universal among humans without being either unique to language, or our species.

4. Synthesis: a formal perspective on unity and diversity

The preceding review indicates both that abstract regularities concerning every aspect of language exist, and that the diversity of languages within these broad constraints is considerable, dwarfing that found in other animal communication systems. These facts demand a perspective on the biological nature of language that encompasses both unity and diversity. I have already suggested that the notion of a body plan provides one analogy for this kind of ‘diversity within unity’, and recent progress in evolutionary developmental biology offers clear examples where traditional notions of Baupläne can be cashed out in terms of HOX genes specifying axial segmentation and specification [ 113 , 114 ]. Similarly, the diversity and unity of the tetrapod hand [ 115 ] can be understood in terms of the shared transcription factors regulating limb growth [ 116 , 117 ]. Many more examples of this kind are sure to follow, and enlightening genetic and developmental data are accumulating rapidly. Baupläne , and the general constraints they imply, are real, and can be understood mechanistically in terms of developmental processes. The parallel with UG and particular languages seems unmistakable, and has informed linguistics thinking since the birth of generative linguistics [ 41 , 42 ]. Thus, it is perhaps not premature to seek a more general theoretical framework within which diversity and unity, in both biologically and culturally evolving systems, can be fruitfully integrated.

I suggest that the general notion of abstract constraints, operating ubiquitously during the development of a system in time and space, provides one such framework ( figure 1 ). Such systems are familiar: a rich body of mathematics exploring such constraints is the theory of differential equations. A differential equation is simply one that expresses the relationship between a variable and one or more of its derivatives as they change in time, and sometimes space. Indeed, they would be more transparently termed ‘derivative-based equations’ [ 118 ]. Differential equations exist in many forms, but in general they are among the fundamental mathematical tools used by physicists: Newton's Laws, Maxwell's Laws, the wave equation and a vast array of other equations central to all branches of physics and biology are expressed as differential equations. A differential equation like x″ = ax expresses a constraint on the movement of an object: its acceleration x″ must be proportional to its location x . In general, there are an infinite number of specific paths that could satisfy this constraint. If we denote a particular path or form of movement as a function f ( x ), we can ask whether or not this function satisfies the constraint(s) embodied in the original equation. If so, it is termed a ‘particular solution’. Because there are an infinite number of solutions, we can think of this differential equation as defining a vast family of solutions, some of which may be superficially very different, but all of which have in common that they satisfy the constraint defined by the original equation. In some cases, we can discover a broader ‘general solution’ (e.g. periodic oscillation) that encompasses an entire set of specific, particular functions ( box 1 ).

An external file that holds a picture, illustration, etc.
Object name is rstb20100223-g1.jpg

( a ) An ordinary differential equation. ( b ) Arrows indicate constraints on the general solution (with one specific solution shown). ( c ) Multiple specific solutions to the same equation.

General and specific solutions for an ordinary differential equation.

Figure 1 a gives the differential equation y′ = ry ( M − y ), where y is a function of time, and y′ denotes the first derivative with respect to time. This is an example of a ‘logistic’ equation, often used in modelling growth. It is simple, but approximates in a general way many developmental or ecological growth processes. Figure 1 b illustrates the constraints on a general solution to this equation by the arrows, which indicate what the slope ( y′ ) of the function must be at each point. Parameters determining a particular solution include initial conditions and boundary conditions. One particular solution is shown as the black S-curve in figure 1 b , with the initial condition y = 0.

Figure 1 c illustrates a selection of particular solutions, from the infinite set of such solutions, each starting with a different initial y , but fulfiling the same overall constraints. While a splitter might look at figure 1 c and see a group of categorically different functions (e.g. descending versus increasing), the lumper would search for commonalities, and in this case, would find them in the general solution to the underlying differential equation ( figure 1 b ).

Although such a first-order model is obviously trivially simple compared with any actual biological system, it provides a well-understood mathematical metaphor for the kind of formal framework required to conceptually integrate a diversity of surface structure with unity of the underlying process.

The parallel with language is clear: particular languages correspond to specific solutions to the constraints imposed by human biology on language acquisition and historical change. Initially, a central task for studies of language diversity will be to find statistical abstractions that encompass the range of linguistic variability (cf. [ 13 , 119 ]). The search for universals is akin to the search for a general solution that encompasses all of these particular solutions, and the goal of biolinguistics is to understand, and make explicit, the specific biological constraints that underlie this general solution. Of course, we expect many such constraints to interact with each other over developmental, historical and evolutionary time [ 120 ]. Chomsky has recently suggested that historical factors, like the Norman Conquest for English, probably play a central role in generating such diversity [ 42 ]. These interacting systems entail dauntingly complex systems of partial differential equations involving genes and the epigenetic control of their expression, brains and their self-wiring depending on the organism and its environment, and individuals as part of cultural systems.

Although at present I offer this parallel as a metaphor, it will become more than that as these systems become better understood. There can be little doubt that the mathematics of biological and cultural change will rely heavily on differential equations. Unfortunately, when it comes to the systems of nonlinear partial differential equations that typify real biological systems, there is no guaranteed way to find general solutions. In complex, real-world examples, nature provides a few examples of particular solutions, and the hard work is to find the constraints underlying such solutions and, perhaps, to discern general solutions. Systems of interacting nonlinear equations exhibit sensitive dependence on initial conditions, bifurcations and chaos. Understanding the attractors that constitute general solutions in such systems represents a daunting frontier for theoretical biology [ 121 , 122 ]. Both top-down approaches (invoking cultural and historical factors) and bottom-up or ‘reductionist’ approaches (e.g. gene or brain-focused research) will be important for a full characterization of this complex system [ 123 ]. No one expects such a task to be easy. Equally, no one can deny the fundamental significance of the search.

To conclude, I have suggested that progress in understanding the biological constraints underlying human language must, of course, attend to the vast diversity of human languages, which provide crucial insights into the range of particular solutions to the problems language poses. But such progress also requires a search for universals, in the abstract sense of cross-linguistic generalizations that has always been understood in modern linguistics [ 12 , 41 , 50 , 60 ]. This is equivalent to seeking the general solution encompassing these particular solutions. This search, even when incomplete, will provide essential fodder in the search for the underlying biological constraints. Rejections of the search for universals, based on a few exceptions to some otherwise universal rule, miss the point of this endeavour. Arguments about whether the constraints are general to cognition, or specific to language or to humans, are in my opinion unlikely to help resolve the substantive biological issues involved in understanding the FLB. Nor will an attempt to divorce cultural processes from linguistic or biological processes help: the very capacity for culture has a strong biological basis in our species, and human cultural evolution is intimately bound up with language itself. While drawing distinctions between such categories may prove heuristically useful in some cases, treating them as dichotomies will simply impede progress. Future progress will require integrated discussions of language diversity and the underlying unity of the instinct to learn language. As the neural and genetic data continue to flow in, we will increasingly need conceptual frameworks encompassing both diversity and unity, rather than dichotomies that polarize them.

Acknowledgements

I thank William D. W. Fitch, Daniel Everett, Stephen Levinson, the editors and three anonymous reviewers for comments on an earlier version. Writing was supported by ERC Advanced Grant SOMACCA to the author.

One contribution of 14 to a Theme Issue ‘ Evolution and human behavioural diversity ’.

Speech About Unity [1,2,3 Minutes]

Unity is the state of being united or joined as a whole. Whether we talk about a county, society or family, It is an important factor in maintaining peace and harmony. Alongside, it is also a symbol of strength which gives us a sense of protection.

In this article, we shared some examples of speech about “unity”. These speeches will explain to you the importance of unity and how can unity help you grow in each sphere of life.

Related: Unity In Diversity Speech

1 Minute Speech About Unity

Good morning and welcome all of you gathered here. I am here to present my views on unity.

There is a saying; “A lone gram can’t bust the cooker” which means big achievements can’t be reached without unity and teamwork. Humans are social creatures. Being social means living together with other humans. This togetherness is called unity.

Unity is needed in each sphere of life be it a sense of protection, motivation, teamwork, support, guidance or growth. Without unity, one can not get the maximum advantages. Unity requires at least two persons but it does not support a maximum number.

Even if there is unity in a group, each person is different. This enables us to explore different perspectives, ideologies, skills and talents. This variety is very helpful to unlock the full capability of a group.

In short, alone we can do so little and together we can do so much. Thank you! I hope you liked my speech.

2-Minute Speech On unity

Welcome honourable principal, respected teacher, loved parents and dear friends. Today, we are gathered here for this special occasion of… I am here to speak a few words about unity.

If I give you a wooden stick and ask you to break it. You probably break it at once. But if I ask you to do the same with a bundle of wooden sticks, will that be possible? I think it becomes a tough task. This is the difference between being a unit and being united.

Unity is the opposite of weakness. Who loves weakness? I am sure that almost everyone hates weaknesses. Everyone appreciates strengths. That is why unity holds a special place in a family, business, society, country etc. In short, It is an important element for each aspect of life. What do you think?

Well! let me explain. Unity in the family gives you joy, unity in business helps you witness growth, unity in society helps you get a sense of protection & support, and for a country, unity is a vital factor to maintain internal peace and harmony.

Most importantly, mere standing together is not unity but it is an emotional connection between individuals. When there is unity, people stand by one another in times of need and celebrations. If we do not unite, we can’t pave the way to progress and development.

Furthermore, where there is unity, there is so much to explore, so much to enjoy and so much to learn. By being together we will fight with each other, and adore each other but we will never let any foreign entity harm our family, group, society or country.

This is all that I wanted to say. I hope you liked my thoughts. Thank you!

3 Minute Speech On Unity & its Importance

First of all, good morning to the honourable principal, respected teachers and loving friends and all of you present here today. In your special presence, I would like to say a few words about unity and why unity is important for all of us.

We have all known the importance of unity since the stone age when we lived together to protect ourselves from wild animals. Time changed but as living beings, a sense of protection resides within us. Unity gives us a feeling of safety from foreign entities.

For example, we saw the results of not being united when the Britishers adopted the trick of divide and rule . They got successful and ruled over the nation for decades and exploited citizens. Then it was the unity that assisted us to get freedom. Thus, unity will always hold its significance.

Let’s talk about some of the advantages of unity.

1. Safety & Security

Living alone can make us feel insecure and unsafe. Being united provides us with a sense of protection and security. Apart from safety, unity multiplies happiness and divides sorrow . We learn to celebrate each other’s joy and share each other’s pain.

Everyone is unique and everyone has his own strengths and weaknesses. We can bypass our weaknesses by getting support from the ones who have strength for that matter. Also, we can strengthen others by providing support which we are good at.

3. Teamwork

Unity encourages us to work in a team. Teamwork is a vital element for the overall progress of a group. For any individual, it is hard to perform a number of various tasks. Therefore, there is a need for many people with different talents to take full advantage of everyone’s capabilities.

Growth is a mission which becomes much easier when we involve a number of people in it. Growth is the name of achieving goals one by one. When we work together as a team, we are more likely to achieve superior goals as compared to when done it alone.

To sum it up, unity has innumerable advantages. It leaves a compounded effect on a goal. That is why it is said; one and one make eleven.

This is all I think of unity. I hope you liked my thoughts. Thank you!

Other Speeches

Importance of time management speech [1,2,3 minutes], speech on ethics and etiquette [1,2,3 minutes], speech about mahatma gandhi jayanti 2023.

1 Minute Speech On Health Is Wealth
2 Minute Speech On Child Labour
1 Minute Speech On Child Labour
Speech On Nature [ 1-2 minutes ]
2 Minute Speech on Importance Of Education
1 Minute Speech on Pollution
2 Minute Speech on Population Explosion

Chiefs' Harrison Butker blasted for commencement speech encouraging women to be homemakers

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker has aggravated one of the internet's biggest culture wars by telling a class of college graduates that one of the “most important” titles a woman can hold is homemaker.

During a commencement speech last weekend at Benedictine College, a Catholic liberal arts school in Atchison, Kansas, the NFL player railed against abortion, Pride month and Covid-19 lockdown measures.

Drawing the most viral backlash this week, however, was a section of his speech in which he addressed the female graduates specifically — telling them that it’s women who have had “the most diabolical lies” told to them.

“How many of you are sitting here now, about to cross this stage, and are thinking about all the promotions and titles you are going to get in your career? Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world,” Butker said. “But I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world.”

The criticisms that followed took aim at Butker as well as the NFL.

"Hey @NFL — If you want to continue to grow your female fan base and any other marginalized group (straight white men are already watching your product), come get your boy," wrote Lisa Guerrero, a former NFL sideline reporter and now an investigative journalist for "Inside Edition."

He went on to tell the graduates that his wife would agree that her life “truly started when she began living her vocation as a wife and as a mother.” It is her embrace of this role, he said, that made his own professional success possible.

Butker’s comments share similarities with some of the more extreme ideas around gender roles that have gained traction in communities that promote “ tradwife ” lifestyles or other relationship dynamics that center on traditional gender roles .

“Listen, there’s nothing wrong with his wife being a homemaker. Homemakers are wonderful, that’s not the point,” filmmaker Michael McWhorter, known by his more than 6 million TikTok followers as TizzyEnt, said in a video response. “The point is he seemed to be acting as if you should be ashamed if you don’t want to be a homemaker, or, ‘I know what you really want to do is just stay home and have babies.’"

The speech was the latest incident to add fuel to the flames of this increasingly vocal cultural battle, much of which is playing out online. While many prominent right-wing men have voiced such beliefs before, they’re usually confined to internet forums, podcasts and other online communities where these ideologies thrive.

A spokesperson for Butker did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Benedictine College and the Kansas City Chiefs did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A spokesperson for the NFL told People Magazine that Butker "gave a speech in his personal capacity" and his "views are not those of the NFL as an organization."

"The NFL is steadfast in our commitment to inclusion, which only makes our league stronger," a spokesperson told the publication.

Butker, who is teammates with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, further drew surprise and criticism when he quoted Kelce’s girlfriend, Taylor Swift, whose monumental career success as a global pop star has inspired college courses .

“As my teammate’s girlfriend says, ‘familiarity breeds contempt,’” he said, drawing murmurs from the crowd as he used the “Bejeweled” lyric as an analogy for why Catholic priests should not become “overly familiar” with their parishioners.

In the days since his speech, a Change.org petition for the Chiefs to dismiss Butker for “discriminatory remarks” has garnered nearly 19,000 signatures.

“These comments reinforce harmful stereotypes that threaten social progress,” the petition stated. “They create a toxic environment that hinders our collective efforts towards equality, diversity and inclusion in society. It is unacceptable for such a public figure to use their platform to foster harm rather than unity.”

Those who criticized Butker’s speech online include actor Bradley Whitford as well as DJ and rapper (and self-proclaimed Swiftie ) Flavor Flav .

But his speech was also lauded by some on the religious right, including conservative sports media personalities such as Clay Travis and Jason Whitlock , who defended Butker’s statements toward women.

“Not a word Harrison Butker says here should be remotely controversial. He’s 100% correct,” former NFL wide receiver T.J. Moe posted on X . “Those trying to convince women that being assistant VP of lending & intentionally childless at age 40 is more fulfilling than making a family and home are evil.”

Sports and culture commentator Jon Root also posted that Butker “exposed the lies that the world has been telling women.” Women, he wrote, are wrongly encouraged to climb the corporate ladder, view children as a “burden” and see marriage as “not worth pursuing.”

Still, a deluge of viewers online took issue with his attitude toward women and the LGBTQ community. Many women also rejected the premise that they would be happier staying at home in lieu of paid work, even if they do have a husband and children.

“I am moved. I actually had no idea that my life began when I met my husband,” neurosurgeon Betsy Grunch, known as Ladyspinedoc on TikTok, said sarcastically in a TikTok video . “It did not begin when I graduated magna cum laude from the University of Georgia with honors. It certainly did not begin when I graduated with a 4.0 GPA, Alpha Omega Alpha, from medical school. And I had no idea that it did not begin when I completed my residency in neurosurgery.”

Angela Yang is a culture and trends reporter for NBC News.

Sorry, Harrison Butker, the Benedictine College nuns reject your "narrow definition" of Catholicism

The nuns who co-founded the college didn't hold back about how the kicker's views did not reflect their core values, by gabriella ferrigine.

The religious sisterhood order that co-founded Benedictine College, the small academic institution in Atchinson, Kansas, has disavowed the 2024 commencement speech by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, which has been widely panned as misogynistic and homophobic.

The Sisters of Mt. Scholastica issued a statement declaring their shared sentiment that Butker's speech does not "represent the Catholic, Benedictine, liberal arts college that our founders envisioned and in which we have been so invested.

"Instead of promoting unity in our church, our nation, and the world, his comments seem to have fostered division," the statement continued. "One of our concerns was the assertion that being a homemaker is the highest calling for a woman. We sisters have dedicated our lives to God and God’s people, including the many women whom we have taught and influenced during the past 160 years. These women have made a tremendous difference in the world in their roles as wives and mothers and through their God-given gifts in leadership, scholarship, and their careers.

"Our community has taught young women and men not just how to be 'homemakers' in a limited sense, but rather how to make a Gospel-centered, compassionate home within themselves where they can welcome others as Christ, empowering them to be the best versions of themselves," the sisterhood added. "We reject a narrow definition of what it means to be Catholic. We are faithful members of the Catholic Church who embrace and promote the values of the Gospel, St. Benedict, and Vatican II and the teachings of Pope Francis."

They concluded, "We want to be known as an inclusive, welcoming community, embracing Benedictine values that have endured for more than 1,500 years and have spread through every continent and nation. We believe those values are the core of Benedictine College."

Following Butker's speech, NFL senior Vice President Jonathan Beane, the league’s chief diversity and inclusion officer, stated that “Harrison Butker gave a speech in his personal capacity. His views are not those of the NFL as an organization. The NFL is steadfast in our commitment to inclusion, which only makes our league stronger."

Search the United Nations

16 may 2024, secretary-general's remarks to the summit of the league of arab states, antónio guterres.

[Scroll down for Arabic]

As salaam alaikum.

Your Majesty, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain, thank you for your kind invitation and your warm hospitality.

Your Majesties, Your Royal Highnesses, Excellencies, Secretary-General Aboul Gheit, I was born in Lisbon – a city that for centuries was part of Al-Andalus.

This was at a time when Cordoba was the centre of culture and civilization of the Iberian peninsula, just as Baghdad was the centre of culture and civilization of the world – reaching out from the Chinese border to the Atlantic coast.

History moved on. And a number of transformations -- cultural, economic, technological and military -- changed the world to the detriment of the Arab people.

The majority of Arab countries were colonized.

It took decades of struggle for liberation – sometimes bloody wars – often with long periods of exploitation – and a legacy of lines arbitrarily drawn in the sand.

But, today, once again, the world is changing and I see enormous potential in the Arab region.

You have the resources. You have the culture. You have the people.

But there is one core condition for success in today’s world: unity.

Time and again, history has shown that divisions allow outsiders to intervene -- promoting conflicts, stoking sectarian tensions and inadvertently fueling terrorism.

These are obstacles to peaceful development and the well-being of your peoples.

Overcoming those obstacles requires breaking the vicious circle of division and foreign manipulation – and moving forward together to build a more peaceful and prosperous future for the people of the Arab world and beyond.

Excellencies,

We gather as hearts are breaking for Palestinians in Gaza.

The war in Gaza is an open wound that threatens to infect the entire region.

In its speed and scale, it is the deadliest conflict in my time as Secretary-General – for civilians, aid workers, journalists, and our own UN colleagues.

Of course, nothing can justify the abhorrent 7 October terror attacks by Hamas.

I reiterate my call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.

And nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.

Yet the toll on civilians continues to escalate.

Entire families wiped out. Children traumatized and injured for life. People denied access to the very basics for human survival. A looming famine.

Any assault on Rafah is unacceptable. It would inflict another surge of pain and misery when we need a surge in life-saving aid.

It is time for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and unimpeded access for humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza.

UNRWA remains the backbone of our operations in Gaza and a lifeline for Palestine refugees across the region. It needs full support and funding.

I am also deeply troubled by tensions in the occupied West Bank including East Jerusalem, with a spike in illegal Israeli settlements, settler violence, excessive use of force by Israeli Defense Forces, demolitions and evictions.

The only permanent way to end the cycle of violence and instability is through a two-state solution, Israel and Palestine living side-by-side in peace and security, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states.

The demographic and historical character of Jerusalem must be preserved, and the status quo at the Holy Sites must be upheld, in line with the special role of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

Turning to Sudan, a devastating war has thrown half the country’s population into a humanitarian freefall. One year on, thousands have been killed, and 18 million people are staring down the terrifying threat of famine.

I urge the international community to intensify its push for peace, and call on the warring parties to agree on a lasting ceasefire.

This should be followed by a political process that includes women’s and youth groups.

I pledge the full support of the United Nations.

We must also protect the fragile political processes in Libya and Yemen.

As High Commissioner for Refugees, I witnessed the enormous generosity of the Syrian people. I am pained to see Syria now, with so much suffering and with parts of its territory occupied with several external actors involved.

I call on all Syrians to come together in a spirit of reconciliation, honouring the diversity of the Syrian people and respecting the human rights of all.

We face other serious global crises.

The climate emergency; rising inequalities, poverty and hunger; crushing debt; and new technology – including artificial intelligence -- that is running ahead of governance and guardrails.

We need deep reforms to the global multilateral system -- from the Security Council to the international financial architecture -- so they are truly universal and representative of today’s realities.

The upcoming Summit of the Future is a pivotal opportunity to create momentum for a more networked and inclusive multilateralism.

I look forward to welcoming you to the Summit in New York in September.

There is no better moment for the Arab region to come together.

Unity and solidarity throughout the Arab world would amplify the vital voice of the region and further boost your influence on the global stage.

It can help this region find peace, make the most of its enormous potential, and further contribute to the global good. In all this work, you can count on the United Nations, and on me personally, for our support and partnership.

******************************************************

السلام عليكم . صاحب الجلالة حمد بن عيسى آل خليفة، ملك البحرين، أشكركم على دعوتكم الكريمة وكرم ضيافتكم.

أصحاب الجلالة والسمو الملكي والفخامة والسعادة، معالي الأمين العام السيد أبو الغيط، لقد وُلدتُ في لشبونة - وهي مدينة كانت جزءا من الأندلس لقرون. وفي ذلك الوقت كانت قرطبة مركز الثقافة والحضارة في شبه الجزيرة الأيبيرية، مثلما كانت بغداد مركز الثقافة والحضارة في العالم - وكانت آثارها ممتدة من حدود الصين إلى سواحل المحيط الأطلسي. وقد تحرّكت عجلة التاريخ. وعدة تحولات -- في الميادين الثقافية، والاقتصادية، والتكنولوجية، والعسكرية – غيرت العالم على حساب الشعب العربي. واستُعمرت غالبية البلدان العربية. ولم يأت التحرّر إلا بعد عقود من النضال - وبعد حروب دموية في بعض الحالات، وحقب طويلة من الاستغلال في كثير منها - وبعد إرث خلّفه الاستعمار في شكل خطوط رُسمت على الرمل كحدود تعسّفية تفصل بين البلدان. بيد أن العالم اليوم يتغيّر من جديد، وإنني أرى في المنطقة العربية إمكانات هائلة. فلديكم الموارد. ولديكم الثقافة. ولديكم البشر. ولكن ثمة شرطٌ أساسي وحيد للنجاح في عالم اليوم، ألا وهو الاتحاد. لقد أظهر التاريخ مرارا وتكرارا أن الانقسامات تفسح المجال لتدخل أطراف خارجية - مما يغذّي الصراعات ويؤجج التوترات الطائفية، ومن ثم يشعل فتيل الإرهاب ولو بغير قصد. وهذه عقبات تحول دون تحقيق التنمية السلمية وتعيقكم عن ضمان رفاه شعوبكم. ويتطلب التغلب على هذه العقبات كسر الحلقة المفرغة من الانقسام وتلاعب الأطراف الأجنبية - ويتطلب المضي قدما معاً لبناء مستقبل أكثر سلما وازدهارا لشعوب المنطقة العربية وخارجها.

أصحاب الجلالة والسمو والفخامة والسعادة، إننا نجتمع هنا وقلوبنا تنفطر لما يحدث للفلسطينيين في غزة. إن الحرب في غزة جرحٌ مفتوحٌ قد يتسبب بعدوى في جسد المنطقة بأسرها. وهذا النزاع، بمعدّله وحجمه هذين، هو الأكثر فتكاً من بين كل ما شهدتُه من نزاعات كأمين عام – بالنسبة للمدنيين وعمال الإغاثة والصحفيين وزملائنا في الأمم المتحدة. وبطبيعة الحال، لا يمكن تبرير الهجمات الإرهابية الشنعاء التي نفّذتها حماس في 7 تشرين الأول/أكتوبر. وإنني أكرّر الدعوة إلى الإفراج الفوري وغير المشروط عن جميع الرهائن. ولا يمكن كذلك تبرير العقاب الجماعي للشعب الفلسطيني. بيد أن الخسائر في صفوف المدنيين لا تزال تتصاعد. وقد امّحت عائلات بأسرها عن بكرة أبيها. وأصيب الأطفال بصدمات نفسية ولحق بهم أذى سيلازمهم مدى الحياة. ويُحرم الناس من أبسط المقومات الأساسية للبقاء. وثمة مجاعة تلوح في الأفق. لا يمكن قبول أي هجوم على رفح. إذ من شأنه إحداث موجة أخرى من الألم والبؤس بينما نحن في حاجة إلى موجة من المساعدات المنقذة للأرواح. لقد حان الوقت لإعلان وقف فوري لإطلاق النار لأسباب إنسانية وإتاحة وصول المساعدات الإنسانية دون عوائق إلى جميع أنحاء غزة. ولا تزال الأونروا هي العمود الفقري لعملياتنا في غزة وشريان الحياة للاجئي فلسطين في مختلف أرجاء المنطقة. وهي بحاجة إلى الدعم والتمويل الكاملين. وإنني منزعج بشدة لما يحدث من توترات في الضفة الغربية المحتلة بما فيها القدس الشرقية، حيث تُشهد طفرات في إقامة المستوطنات الإسرائيلية غير القانونية، وعنف المستوطنين، والاستخدام المفرط للقوة من قبل جيش الدفاع الإسرائيلي، وعمليات الهدم والإخلاء. وما من وسيلة دائمة لإنهاء مسلسل العنف والاضطرابات سوى الحل القائم على وجود دولتين، إسرائيل وفلسطين، تعيشان جنبا إلى جنب في سلام وأمن، مع القدس عاصمة لكلتا الدولتين. ويجب الحفاظ على الطابع الديمغرافي والتاريخي للقدس، ويجب الحفاظ على الوضع الراهن في الأماكن المقدّسة، تماشيا مع الدور الخاص للمملكة الأردنية الهاشمية.

أصحاب الجلالة والسمو والفخامة والسعادة، أودّ أن أتطرق إلى السودان، حيث جعلت الحرب المدمّرة نصف سكان البلد في حالة سقوط حرّ على مستوى الوضع الإنساني. فبعد مرور عام، قُتل آلاف الأشخاص وبات خطر المجاعة المفجع يحدق بـ 18 مليون شخص. وإنني أحث المجتمع الدولي على تكثيف جهوده من أجل إحلال السلام، وأدعو الأطراف المتحاربة إلى الاتفاق على وقف دائم لإطلاق النار. وينبغي أن يُتْبَع ذلك بعملية سياسية تشمل المجموعات النسائية والشبابية. وإنني أتعهد بأن تقدّم الأمم المتحدة دعمها الكامل لهذا المسعى. ويجب علينا أيضا حماية العملية السياسية الهشّة في كل من ليبيا واليمن. وإنني كنت شاهدا، إبّان خدمتي كمفوض سام لشؤون اللاجئين، على ما يتّسم به الشعب السوري من كرم عظيم. ويؤلمني أن أرى وضع سوريا الآن مع كل هذه المعاناة، ومع بقاء أجزاء كاملة من أراضيها محتلة، حيث تتدخل أطراف فاعلة خارجية متعددة. وإنني أدعو جميع السوريين إلى العمل معا بروح تصالحية، وإلى الاحتفاء بالتنوع الثري للشعب السوري واحترام حقوق الإنسان الواجبة للناس كافة.

أصحاب الجلالة والسمو والفخامة والسعادة، إننا نواجه أزمات عالمية طاحنة أخرى. فهناك حالة الطوارئ المناخية؛ وتزايد اللامساواة والفقر والجوع؛ ومستويات المديونية التي تقسم الظهر؛ والتكنولوجيات الجديدة - بما في ذلك الذكاء الاصطناعي - التي تعجز ضوابط الحوكمة وضمانات الحماية عن مواكبتها. إننا بحاجة إلى إصلاحات عميقة للنظام العالمي متعدد الأطراف - من مجلس الأمن إلى الهيكل المالي الدولي - لكي يصبح عالمي الطابع بحق ويكون ممثلا للواقع المعاش في هذا العصر. ويمثل مؤتمر القمة المعني بالمستقبل، الذي سيُعقد في أيلول/سبتمبر، فرصة ثمينة لتوليد زخم نحو إقامة نظام لتعددية الأطراف يكون أكثر اتساما بالترابط الشبكي والشمول. وإنني أتطلع قدما إلى الترحيب بكم في مؤتمر القمة في نيويورك في أيلول/سبتمبر.

أصحاب الجلالة والسمو والفخامة والسعادة، ما من وقت أفضل من هذه اللحظة لكي تقف المنطقة العربية صفّا واحدا. فمن شأن الاتحاد والتضامن على كامل نطاق العالم العربي إسماع صوت منطقتكم ذات الأهمية الحيوية بمزيد من القوة، وتعزيز تأثيركم على الساحة العالمية. ويمكن بذلك مساعدة هذه المنطقة على الاهتداء إلى سبيل السلام، وتعظيم الاستفادة من إمكاناتها الهائلة، والمساهمة بشكل أكبر في تحقيق ما فيه الخير للعالم. وفي كل هذا العمل، يمكنكم التعويل على الأمم المتحدة، وعليّ أنا شخصيا، لمدّكم بالدعم والشراكة.

Middle East
Environment, climate change Sustainable Development Goals
Daily Schedule
Appointment Process
Role of the Secretary-General
Former Secretaries-General
Official Travels
Deputy Secretary-General
Senior Management Group
Global Leadership
Messengers of Peace
Annual Report on the Work of the Organization
Coordinator for Multilingualism
Public Disclosure
Opinion pieces/Op-eds
Secretariat
Department of Global Communications
Spokesperson's Office
Scientific Advisory Board

NFL distances itself from player's controversial speech on women, LGBTQ issues

Medium Text

NFL - Super Bowl LVIII - Kansas City Chiefs v San Francisco 49ers

Reporting by Joseph Ax Editing by Bill Berkrot

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. New Tab , opens new tab

Sports Chevron

Report: Will Zalatoris said players discussed asking for 2nd round to be postponed

Will Zalatoris told reporters that a group of players nearly asked for the second round of the PGA Championship to be postponed after the harrowing early morning hours Friday.

NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Florida Panthers at Boston Bruins

Already off to a strong start on the mound, the New York Yankees are in the midst of an impressive run of starting pitching, and this time it is coinciding with a massive hot streak by Aaron Judge.

NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Dallas Stars at Colorado Avalanche

Skip to main content
Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

Biden is set for the Morehouse graduation. Students are divided

Jasmine Robinson

Earlier this month, President Biden spoke about protests that have roiled many U.S. college campuses. Among their demands is for the Israeli military to leave Gaza. Biden said students have a right to protest but not to be disruptive. He is set to speak at Morehouse College in Atlanta on Sunday. Drew Angerer/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

In the lull between the last classes of the school year and the start of finals season, a trio of seniors convene on one of the Morehouse quads: Jordan Washington, Wisler Charles and DeAngelo Fletcher.

With the lion's share of their years at the Atlanta HBCU behind them, they reflect on the handful of days ahead — specifically, graduation.

President Joe Biden is giving their commencement address on Sunday and campus has been abuzz for weeks.

Their friend group represents a spectrum of student opinion.

"I don't care who speaks," said Washington. "I just want to walk the stage. I want to celebrate with my family."

For Washington, the discourse about President Biden has eclipsed why this weekend's ceremony is so important.

"We're the COVID class of high school. So a lot of people didn't get graduations," he said. "And now it feels like [for] our college graduation ... people are focusing more on the speaker."

"Biden didn't do four years here," he said. "We did."

Wisler Charles feels similarly.

"Am I happy about Biden? Not really," he sighs. "If everything about our graduation is about Biden, it's going to be a problem for us and our families."

Charles said, "I know there's thoughts of protest," adding that some folks in his class approached him to join a silent demonstration, turning his back on Biden as he speaks. "Because my family has pushed me to this point and supported me up until this point ... I have an obligation to not turn my back."

Morehouse College is set to host President Biden as its commencement speaker this Sunday. Many students are not happy the president will be speaking. Students have concerns about the Middle East, and others are concerned Morehouse is being seen as a political football. Juma Sei/WABE hide caption

The students are frustrated.

"I think it's kind of insulting that our star alumnus is Dr. [Martin Luther] King, but Biden has been on a tirade in the Middle East," said DeAngelo Fletcher. "Bringing him here — especially during an election year... to get the young Black vote especially, it's kind of insulting."

Fletcher is one of many Morehouse men who feel this way.

Some are protesting the president

It's not just current students who have expressed their concerns over the president's visit .

Hundreds of alumni from the Atlanta HBCU signed a letter, calling on the administration to rescind its invitation to President Biden because of his support of Israel in the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

The Biden administration says that they share the goal of a lasting peace in the Middle East. In recent weeks, Biden has called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take steps so that an "immediate ceasefire" can be put in place and more aid distributed in the region.

Yet underscoring that the civilian death toll is in the thousands, the alumni letter states that inviting President Biden is "a moral disaster and an embarrassment to the college."

Similar sentiments have inspired protests at colleges across the country. But these demonstrations haven't been as prominent on historically Black campuses.

That is why protesting Biden at Morehouse's graduation is such a big opportunity, said DeAngelo Fletcher.

The all-male college is one of the most prestigious HBCUs.

But Fletcher does not know if he would protest Biden himself. He's the youngest of seven and — like his two friends — wants to focus on his family at graduation.

"But if someone were to approach me and to ask [me] to protest in a way which I felt was tasteful, I would do it," he said.

Students are divided over the issue

According to Justin Darden — a senior with Morehouse's student newspaper, the Maroon Tiger — almost the entire Morehouse senior class is caught in this same limbo.

"When they first announced that Biden was coming, I think the whole daggone senior group chat basically blew up," he said.

The seniors were debating how best to express their frustration with Biden's military support for Israel.

Darden said there was "no excitement around Biden coming." But he's noticed a rift between those who want to protest and those who don't.

"Students are not blind," he said. "It's a social media world, so everybody sees what's going on in Gaza."

He said about half of his peers backed an active protest, while the other half did not.

Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, the prominent leader of Morehouse College. He was the school's sixth president and spent nearly three decades there. He was a great influencer of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and others who would become prominent figures of the Civil Rights Movement. Juma Sei/WABE hide caption

"A lot of us just want our families to see us walk," he said. "We never had the opportunity to. I think that's really what it is."

This wouldn't be the first time students at Atlanta's Black colleges have protested the conflict in Gaza. Darden said he's seen a lot of digital protests and some demonstrations on campus.

The Maroon Tiger reported that last fall, students across the Atlanta University Center — made up of Morehouse, Spelman College, Clark Atlanta University, and Morris Brown College — hosted events in support of Palestinians and demanded their school administrations take stances against the war in Gaza.

Anwar Karim is an organizer involved in some of that planning. But after participating in a student encampment at Emory University that was forcibly cleared by law enforcement, he's cautious.

"I can tell you from being there, that there were a lot more melanated folk who got arrested and got targeted and got harassed than white people," he said. "So we're taking all of that into consideration as an HBCU."

But he sees the commencement as an opportunity to send a message.

"So those of us who are standing on the right side of history in this Morehouse and AUC family... we have morals and we have humanity," he continued. "This President that [the administration is] bringing to our school does not reflect how we feel."

Morehouse is a strategic choice for Biden

Sunday's commencement is also an opportunity for Biden to send a message to Black voters ahead of the November election.

The Black vote in South Carolina was instrumental in his victory on Super Tuesday in 2020, starting a wave of momentum that propelled him through November. In Georgia — a swing state — Biden's looking to spark the same kind of support amongst what has been the Democrats most reliable voting bloc.

"So it's not surprising at all that he would do this, it's also not surprising that he would target Morehouse because of concerns that his support is fading, particularly amongst Black men," said Andra Gillespie, an Emory political scientist.

Presidents and first ladies have long used HBCU commencements to convey an agenda, she said, and that tracks back as far as the 1960s. More recently, Biden is following in the footsteps of former President Barack Obama, and First Lady Michelle Obama, who expanded this type of outreach.

Last year, Biden gave the commencement address at Howard, and prior to that, South Carolina State University.

"It's certainly appropriate to think that, like, there was some intentionality in terms of choosing this particular audience for a political reason," she said. "But Biden still has an opportunity to win people over by giving a really heartfelt and impassioned speech."

Looking ahead to the address

Morehouse President David Thomas is insistent that Biden speaks.

"This is one of those moments that Morehouse is called to," he said.

Morehouse extended a formal invitation to the White House in September, before the Oct. 7 Hamas attack in Israel. But as the war intensified — and calls for Thomas to rescind the invitation grew — he said he never reconsidered his decision.

He said Morehouse has a duty not to cancel or alter commencement, as other schools have done. In his words, that would make Morehouse a "plain, vanilla" institution.

His administration has a plan in place for protests.

A statue of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Morehouse's most famous graduate, stands on campus in front of the chapel. Juma Sei/WABE hide caption

A statue of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Morehouse's most famous graduate, stands on campus in front of the chapel.

"We have made clear to our students, you will not be sanctioned for silent, non-disruptive protests," he said.

"If Morehouse cannot hold those tensions that threaten to divide our country, then no place on the planet can hold those tensions."

Steve Benjamin, who leads the White House Office of Public Engagement, visited the campus to meet with some students and faculty earlier this week.

He says the president's visit is meant to highlight the accomplishments of Morehouse students.

"The goal will be to make sure that we use this as an opportunity to continue to elevate the amazing work that's been done at Morehouse over the last century and a half."

Speaking at a press briefing at the White House Thursday, Benjamin also said President Biden respects people's right to protest and he "makes it a point to lean in when there are protesters in the very same space."

There is a camp of students who feel the same as Thomas about graduation.

"Joe Biden [has] done things that might have been seen as controversial in his past," said Ronald David, a sophomore. "But still, it's important for you to have those people that you might not necessarily agree with."

He says if it were his graduation, he'd rather have someone Black — echoing a widespread sentiment on campus. But David adds that Biden might learn something from what folks call the "Morehouse mystique."

He said Biden could benefit from spending more time in Black spaces.

"Just because we don't necessarily resonate or agree with Joe Biden or think that he's the best speaker, it's important not to shun him or say that he isn't the best speaker or shouldn't be speaking and, instead, welcome that unity."

Politics editor Padma Rama contributed to this report.

president biden

Change.org petition demanding chiefs release harrison butker goes over 108k signatures, share this article.

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker had his say at the Benedictine College commencement address.

Now, people are having theirs via a Change.org petition.

As of this writing, more than 108,000 people have signed a petition demanding the Chiefs release their kicker after his controversial speech.

Among Butker’s comments:

“I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolic lies told to you. Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world but I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world. “I can tell you that my beautiful wife Isabelle would be the first to say her life truly started when she started living her vocation as a wife and as a mother. I’m on this stage today, able to be the man that I am, because I have a wife who leans into her vocation. “I’m beyond blessed with the many talents God has given me, but it cannot be overstated that all my success is made possible because a girl I met in band class back in middle school would convert to the faith, become my wife, and embrace one of the most important titles of all. Homemaker.”

The petition states:

The harmful remarks made by Harrison Butker, kicker of the Kansas City Chiefs, during his commencement address at Benedictine College were unacceptable. His comments were sexist, homophobic, anti-trans, anti-abortion and racist. These dehumanizing remarks against LGBTQ+ individuals, attacks on abortion rights and racial discrimination perpetuate division and undermine human rights. These comments reinforce harmful stereotypes that threaten social progress. They create a toxic environment that hinders our collective efforts towards equality, diversity and inclusion in society. It is unacceptable for such a public figure to use their platform to foster harm rather than unity.

To view the change.org petition, click here .

Want the latest news and insights on your favorite team?

Sign up for our newsletter to get updates to your inbox, and also receive offers from us, our affiliates and partners. By signing up you agree to our Privacy Policy

An error has occured

Please re-enter your email address.

Thanks for signing up!

You'll now receive the top Touchdown Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

Most Popular

Chiefs kicker harrison butker bashes pride month, tells women to stay in the kitchen, the 101 greatest nicknames in football history, the best pro football player to wear every jersey number, the nfl's most improved position groups on offense, 2024 nfl schedule: every regular-season game by week, nfl draft: every quarterback who went no. 1 overall since 1967.

Please enter an email address.

Thanks for signing up.

Please check your email for a confirmation.

Something went wrong.

At Arab League Summit, Guterres appeals for Gaza ceasefire and regional unity

UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivers remarks at the Summit of the League of Arab States in Manama-Bahrain.

Facebook Twitter Print Email

UN Secretary-General António Guterres repeated his longstanding call for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages held in the enclave, and unimpeded access for aid delivery, in remarks to the Summit of the League of Arab States in Bahrain on Thursday.

“The war in Gaza is an open wound that threatens to infect the entire region,” he said .

“In its speed and scale, it is the deadliest conflict in my time as Secretary-General – for civilians, aid workers, journalists, and our own UN colleagues.”

He stressed that nothing can justify the abhorrent 7 October terror attacks by Hamas against Israel, or the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.

Rafah assault ‘unacceptable’

The Secretary-General warned against an assault on Rafah, which would be “unacceptable” as “it would inflict another surge of pain and misery when we need a surge in life-saving aid.”

He also voiced concern over the tensions in the occupied West Bank, highlighting the spike in illegal Israeli settlements, settler violence and excessive use of force by the Israeli Defense Forces, as well as demolitions and evictions.

UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA , reported on Thursday that the situation in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, remains alarming . Nearly 1,400 people – mostly from herding families – have been displaced since October, amid ongoing settler violence and access restrictions.

OCHA said earlier this week, the last two remaining families in the Ein Samiya herding community in Ramallah were forced to leave, following attacks by Israeli settlers who remain in the area, thus preventing their return.

The Secretary-General told Arab leaders that the only permanent way to end the cycle of violence and instability between Israelis and Palestinians is through a two-State solution.

“The demographic and historical character of Jerusalem must be preserved, and the status quo at the Holy Sites must be upheld, in line with the special role of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan,” he added.

UN_Spokesperson

Peace for Sudan

Turning to Sudan, the UN chief urged the international community to intensify efforts towards peace and called for the warring parties to agree on a lasting ceasefire.

More than a year of fighting between the Sudanese army and rival paramilitary known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has generated a humanitarian crisis. Thousands of civilians have been killed and 18 million face looming famine.

He also called for protecting “the fragile political processes in Libya and Yemen”, and encouraged the Syrian people to come together in a spirt of reconciliation, honouring their diversity and respecting human rights for all.

Reform the multilateral system

Mr. Guterres also focused on other serious global crises, including the climate emergency; rising inequality, poverty and hunger; crushing debt; and the potential and perils of new technology such as artificial intelligence (AI).

“We need deep reforms to the global multilateral system – from the Security Council to the international financial architecture – so they are truly universal and representative of today’s realities,” he added.

He pointed to the Summit of the Future at UN Headquarters this September as “a pivotal opportunity to create momentum for a more networked and inclusive multilateralism.” 

Appeal for unity

The Secretary-General pointed to the enormous potential in the Arab region.

Emphasizing that unity is the one condition for success in the world today, he said divisions allow outsiders to intervene – promoting conflicts, stoking sectarian tensions and inadvertently fueling terrorism.

“These are obstacles to peaceful development and the well-being of your peoples,” he told leaders.

“Overcoming those obstacles requires breaking the vicious circle of division and foreign manipulation – and moving forward together to build a more peaceful and prosperous future for the people of the Arab world and beyond.”

COMMENTS

Speech On Unity In Diversity
10 Line Speech On Unity In Diversity. Unity in diversity is the idea that despite our differences, we can come together and work towards a common goal. It is important to respect and embrace the differences of others and seek to understand their perspectives and experiences. Unity in diversity can create a sense of community and belong and ...
Persevere in Unity
Without diversity, unity becomes stagnant. As Pastor Skip Heitzig put it, "If you have unity without variety, you have uniformity and that's boring. If you have variety without unity, you have anarchy." 28. A powerful example of what can happen when unity and diversity combine was provided by our football team this past fall.
Speech on Unity in Diversity
Top Quotes to Use in a Speech on Unity in Diversity. "Unity, to be real, must stand the severest strain without breaking.". - Mahatma Gandhi. "Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization.". - Mahatma Gandhi. "There is beauty and power in unity. We must be united in heart and mind.
Speech on Unity in Diversity in English
Unity in Diversity. Unity in diversity is defined as the concept of showing unity without uniformity and diversity without fragmentation. It is used to show the unity between a group of individuals despite them being from different religions or cultures. India is a 5000 years old civilization and a land of rich diversity.
Unity in Diversity: Strengthening Communities Through Inclusion
At its core, Unity in Diversity embodies the idea that despite our differences, we are interconnected and share a common humanity. Rather than viewing diversity as a source of division, societies ...
Unity in Diversity:The Integrative Approach to Intercultural Relations
The unity of mankind can only be preserved, and peace can only be maintained through the recognition of the diversity of the human race with all that this entails in terms of an integrated policy ...
Speech on Unity in Diversity
One-Minute Speech on Unity in Diversity. Unity in diversity is an ideal that many nations and organisations strive to achieve. In fact, the European Union adopted "Unity in Diversity" as its motto in 2000, which speaks volumes about the importance of this concept. For a society to thrive, it must embrace diversity and foster unity.
Unity in diversity
Unity in diversity is used as an expression of harmony and unity between dissimilar individuals or groups. It is a concept of "unity without uniformity and diversity without fragmentation" [1] that shifts focus from unity based on a mere tolerance of physical, cultural, linguistic, social, religious, political, ideological and/or psychological ...
Ruling Free and Equal Humans to Foster Peace, Unity, and Diversity
These two proposals to create peace and unity exemplify two different types of rule. The first, and more common, is the rule of superiors over subordinates, where power is consolidated in elites who rule over subordinates (Ostrom 2008). [2] The second type is rule shared between free and equal humans. Its objective is empowering others to be ...
Tolerance, inclusion, unity and respect for diversity
At the Human Rights Council in Geneva, a group of human rights experts discussed these manifestations and shared good practices on measures to promote tolerance, inclusion, unity and respect for diversity. As Nicolas Muragán, member of the UN Committee that oversees State compliance with ICERD, recalled at the panel, on 21 March 1960 thousands ...
Creating Unity in a Diverse Society
The assertion of "we the people" at the beginning of the preamble to the Constitution was an aspirational move. It didn't describe something that had already been achieved and was there, it described a goal as much as a nation. National unity in a diverse society is always an ambition and aspiration. But we're not a new society now.
Speech on Unity in Diversity
Explore the power of 'Unity in Diversity' through this inspiring speech that highlights the importance of embracing cultural differences to build a stronger, more united society. Discover the role of education, dialogue, and individual action in fostering understanding and breaking down barriers. A must-read for anyone passionate about creating a more inclusive world.
Speech On Unity In Diversity [1-3 Minutes]
1 Minute Speech On Unity in Diversity. Hello and welcome all of you gathered here. I am here to present a speech on unity in diversity. In India, there are 6 different religions, 20+ languages, and 29 states. Moreover, each state possesses a different culture, different dishes, a different fashion style etc. Despite having this much diversity ...
Ideas about Diversity
Set your team up for success with these talks that offer a blueprint for building innovative, future-forward collaborations at the intersection of agile thinking and cutting-edge tech. 14 talks. Why tech needs diversity. Fascinating, forward-thinking talks that highlight the importance of diversity — in its many forms — within the tech ...
Speech on Unity in diversity [1, 2, 3, 5 Minutes]
1, 2, 3 Minutes Speech on Unity in diversity. Dear teachers and students! Greetings to all. and thank you to all of you to give me chance to give a speech. The idea of unity in diversity encourages harmony and a sense of belonging among people while recognising and valuing their differences. It's the notion that despite all of our differences ...
Unity in diversity: how the Olympic Games foster inclusion
During recent Olympic Games, athletes shared messages on inclusion that inspired the world. Universality, inclusion and non-discrimination have always been central values of the Olympic Games, also reflected in the Olympic Charter and Olympic Agenda 2020+5. Olympic Partners Coca-Cola and P&G are among those who celebrated unity in diversity at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
Why Language Matters for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Why Language Matters for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. July 12, 2021. By Meera E. Deo. Language matters. How we talk and write about even mundane topics adds context and framing to any discussion. The importance of language is even more critical when navigating sensitive topics, including those involving race, ethnicity, gender, sexual ...
Talks about Unity
Kevin J Worthen emphasizes the importance of embracing unity, diversity, and love in the face COVID-19 and other current-day challenges. devotional 2021. Racism and Other Challenges. Dallin H. Oaks ... The text for this speech is unavailable. Please see our FAQ page for more information. devotional 1966. Unity Under the Gospel. Henry D. Moyle ...
Speech on Unity in Diversity in simple and easy words
Speech on Unity in Diversity - 1. Hon'ble Vice President, Respected Principal, Respected Professors and Administration staff members and my dear fellow students, Today is the Republic Day, the most important day for every Indian; the day when the Constitution of Independent India was formed. Like every year, our college celebrates this ...
Short Speech on Unity in Diversity in English
Respected Principal, teachers, and my dear friends. Good morning to all of you. Today I am going to speak on the topic- Unity in diversity. The word unity can be defined as a state of being united or joined. Diversity means difference. Hence, unity in diversity means the state of being united despite the differences.
1957
In the series of Sardar Patel Memorial Lecture presenting speech of scientist John Burdon Sanderson Haldane on the unity and diversity of life. This speech g...
Unity and diversity in human language
An analogy to the diversity and unity of languages is provided by features of our own vast phylum, the vertebrates. ... Although Broca originally considered this brain area to be specific to speech production, research on aphasics in the 1970s suggested that the region also plays a central role in syntax perception (e.g. ), ...
Speech About Unity [1,2,3 Minutes]
In this article, we shared some examples of speech about "unity". These speeches will explain to you the importance of unity and how can unity help you grow in each sphere of life. Related: Unity In Diversity Speech. 1 Minute Speech About Unity. Good morning and welcome all of you gathered here. I am here to present my views on unity.
Chiefs' Harrison Butker blasted for commencement speech encouraging
The speech was the latest incident to add fuel to the flames of this increasingly vocal cultural battle, much of which is playing out online. ... diversity and inclusion in society. It is ...
Sorry, Harrison Butker, the Benedictine College nuns reject your
Following Butker's speech, NFL senior Vice President Jonathan Beane, the league's chief diversity and inclusion officer, stated that "Harrison Butker gave a speech in his personal capacity.
Secretary-General's remarks to the Summit of the League of Arab States
I call on all Syrians to come together in a spirit of reconciliation, honouring the diversity of the Syrian people and respecting the human rights of all. Excellencies, We face other serious ...
NFL distances itself from player's controversial speech on women, LGBTQ
The NFL has distanced itself from a commencement speech by Kansas City Chiefs placekicker Harrison Butker in which he urged women to prioritize motherhood over careers, attacked President Joe ...
Biden is speaking at Morehouse. : NPR
Morehouse College is set to host President Biden as its commencement speaker this Sunday. Many students are not happy the president will be speaking. Students have concerns about the Middle East ...
Petition calls for Chiefs to release Harrison Butker
Barry Werner. May 16, 2024 11:45 am ET. Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker had his say at the Benedictine College commencement address. Now, people are having theirs via a Change.org petition. As of this writing, more than 108,000 people have signed a petition demanding the Chiefs release their kicker after his controversial speech.
At Arab League Summit, Guterres appeals for Gaza ceasefire and regional
16 May 2024 Peace and Security. UN Secretary-General António Guterres repeated his longstanding call for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages held in the enclave, and unimpeded access for aid delivery, in remarks to the Summit of the League of Arab States in Bahrain on Thursday. "The war in Gaza is an open wound that ...

Products & Resources

Colleges & Courses

Predictors & E-Books

Predictors & Articles

Top Courses & Careers

Quick Links

Diploma Colleges

Upcoming Events

Other Exams

Top Countries

Student Visas

Engineering Preparation

Medical Preparation

Online Courses

Top Streams

Specializations

Top Providers

Speech On Unity In Diversity - 10 Lines, Short and Long Speech

10 Line Speech On Unity In Diversity

Short Speech On Unity In Diversity

How Do We Achieve Unity In The Midst Of Diversity?

Long Speech On Unity In Diversity

Example Of Unity In Diversity

Applications for Admissions are open.

Aakash iACST Scholarship Test 2024

ALLEN Digital Scholarship Admission Test (ADSAT)

JEE Main Important Physics formulas

PW JEE Coaching

PW NEET Coaching

JEE Main Important Chemistry formulas

Download Careers360 App's

We Appeared in

Speech on Unity in Diversity

Table of Contents

What is the importance of unity in diversity?

How is India an example of unity in diversity?

List some quotes to use in a speech on unity in diversity.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Register with BYJU'S & Download Free PDFs

Unity in Diversity

Long Speech on Unity In Diversity In India

Short Speech on Unity In Diversity

10 Lines on Unity In Diversity Speech In English

Examples of Speeches on Unity in Diversity in History

FAQs on Speech on Unity in Diversity

Ruling Free and Equal Humans to Foster Peace, Unity, and Diversity

Two Types of Rule

Political Science’s Objective & Limitations

The New Science of Complexity

Society A Society B

Shared Rule (aka Self-Government)

Covenantal Rule

Covenant in America

Evaluating the Two Forms of Rule

Speech on Unity in Diversity

The Essence of Diversity

Challenges and Misconceptions

Unity in Action

Examples of Unity in Diversity

The Role of Education and Dialogue

Call to Action

Speech Generator

Video playlists about Diversity

A playbook for agile, inclusive leadership

How to innovate for collaboration and success

Why tech needs diversity

A blueprint for diversity in the workplace

3 steps to better connect with your fellow humans

Advice for leaders on creating a culture of belonging

How film changes the way we see the world

Let curiosity lead

Let's reframe cancel culture

The magic of a creative career

How your company can gain a global talent advantage

A liberating vision of identity that transcends labels

Why are schools more segregated now than in the 1980s?

5 hiring tips every company (and job seeker) should know

We need leaders who boldly champion inclusion

The awesome potential of many metaverses

Why US laws must expand beyond the nuclear family