Ethnic diversity adds richness to a society.

The words of Gary Locke, “Ethnic diversity adds richness to a society,” flow with a simplicity that conceals great depth. For in these few words lies the recognition of an eternal truth: that no people is complete when it walks alone, and no nation is strong when it silences the voices of its many tribes and tongues. A society that welcomes diversity is like a river fed by many streams—its waters run deeper, wider, and more enduring. Locke, himself the son of Chinese immigrants who rose to become Governor of Washington and U.S. Ambassador to China, spoke these words not as an abstraction, but as a man who lived at the crossroads of cultures, embodying the truth that difference does not weaken, but strengthens.

The origin of this wisdom is ancient. Human history has always shown that the meeting of peoples produces renewal. The great civilizations of the past—whether Athens, Baghdad, or Cordoba—did not flourish in isolation but in encounter. Athens welcomed foreign ideas in philosophy and science. Baghdad, during its Golden Age, drew upon the learning of Greeks, Persians, and Indians, creating a flourishing of mathematics, astronomy, and medicine. Cordoba in Muslim Spain became a beacon of tolerance, where Christians, Muslims, and Jews studied side by side, enriching one another and building a culture that still inspires. Locke’s words remind us that this ancient pattern remains true: where peoples mingle, new light is born.

History also warns us of the opposite: societies that crush diversity impoverish themselves. Consider China under the Ming dynasty, when foreign influence was shut out, fleets were burned, and knowledge from abroad was despised. The empire stagnated while other nations, more open to diversity, surged ahead. Or look to Nazi Germany, where ethnic hatred led to the destruction not only of millions of lives but of the very spirit of civilization. A society that seeks to purify itself of diversity becomes barren, violent, and doomed. Locke’s declaration stands against such darkness: ethnic diversity is not a threat, but a treasure.

The meaning of this teaching, then, is that every culture, every language, every tradition is a jewel. Together, they create a mosaic more beautiful than any single stone alone. When people of different backgrounds share food, music, and stories, they do more than exchange customs—they weave bonds of empathy. When they bring their varied skills into common work, they solve problems no single group could solve alone. Diversity is not mere tolerance; it is the secret of resilience, the seed of innovation, the rhythm of a living society.

But Locke’s words also carry a challenge. Diversity does not add richness automatically; it requires humility, respect, and openness. Without these, difference becomes division. The greatness of a diverse society is forged when people choose not suspicion but curiosity, not hostility but hospitality. To embrace diversity is to embrace the truth that one’s own perspective is incomplete, and that wisdom is scattered across many peoples like stars across the night.

The lesson for us today is clear: if we would build strong and enduring communities, we must welcome and honor diversity. Do not shrink from what is unfamiliar, but seek it out. Learn the stories of your neighbors who come from other lands. Share meals with them, listen to their songs, understand their traditions. In schools, teach children not only the history of their own people, but the histories of all who share their society. For in learning to value diversity, we build societies that are not fragile but unbreakable.

Practical actions are within reach of all. Support policies and leaders that protect inclusion and equality. Celebrate cultural festivals not as curiosities but as living treasures. Stand against prejudice wherever it rises, for prejudice is the enemy of richness. And in your daily life, cultivate friendships beyond the boundaries of your own community. For every step toward understanding another adds strength to the whole.

Thus let Gary Locke’s words endure: ethnic diversity adds richness to a society. A nation without diversity is like a single note played endlessly on a flute—thin, limited, and wearying. But a nation that embraces diversity is like a symphony, full of depth, harmony, and power. Let us be builders of symphonies, not of single notes, and pass on to our children not a narrow inheritance, but a treasure-house of cultures united in common humanity.