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Cultural DiversityEmbracing EqualityThere is no formal statement of equality in Rotary philosophy, but as Paul Harris points out, it seems to be a natural consequence of the basic principles of fellowship and service. No one had to make it a rule; it just happened when people of goodwill and diverse backgrounds come together in the spirit of friendship. “The postulate that all men had been created free and equal had
so natural a part in the thinking of the first of Rotarians that it was
accepted without discussion. Protestant, Catholic, and Jew; American,
German, Swede, Irishman and whatnot, mingled together in happy accord.
They had embarked upon a glorious adventure.” Reprinted by permission of the Rotary Global History from the Newsletter Nuggets Section of “What Paul Harris Wrote” (www.whatpaulharriswrote.org). An Embarrassing OversightThese newsletter nuggets largely are devoted to celebrating the wisdom and humanity of Paul Harris and the other men who created the movement that we call Rotary. At a time when, even in the melting pot of America, there was extensive cultural segregation, early Rotarians embraced the concept of breaking down those barriers. Paul Harris explained the rational for this deliberate diversity in Rotary clubs. “Clubs with memberships based upon racial and religious
qualifications there were in plenty. To begin with, there were clubs
composed entirely of those of Protestant ancestry, to which neither Jews
nor Catholics need apply. Jews and Catholics, also gregarious in nature,
had clubs of their own. The Turnverein societies supplied the needs of
the Germans, and innumerable other racial groups formed in all parts of
the city. In business, sports, and to a great extent in the schools, the
melting-pot was working; but in social life it fell short.” Rotary brought people of diverse backgrounds together, and in doing so, it fostered better cultural understanding. In this way, Rotary was well ahead of its time. However, it did overlook a major cultural group: women. If today, men and women are thought of as coming from different planets (Mars and Venus), in 1905, they might as well have been from different universes. We have come a long way, and women are now a welcome part of Rotary. Reprinted by permission of the Rotary Global History from the Newsletter Nuggets Section of “What Paul Harris Wrote” (www.whatpaulharriswrote.org). The Cost of Cultural IgnorancePaul Harris believed in the simple principle that it is much easier to hate people you don’t know than people you do know. Bringing people together promotes fellowship and understanding, which in turn promotes efforts to peacefully resolve differences. It may not be a perfect recipe for peace, but it is a great start. “In the clashes between ignorance and intelligence, ignorance is generally the aggressor. To attempt to superimpose its views through the exercise of force, is seldom the part of intelligence; it is frequently the part of ignorance. The less one knows, the more he thinks he knows, and the more willing he is to employ any and all measures to enforce his views upon others. The stocks, and the many other means of inflicting physical and mental anguish were the devices of ignorance. The story of the aggressions of ignorance against intelligence can never be told.” “The way to put an end to these indefensible practices is to
promote intercourse between members of different sects and citizens of
different nations.” Reprinted by permission of the Rotary Global History from the Newsletter Nuggets Section of “What Paul Harris Wrote” (www.whatpaulharriswrote.org). SegregationThe goal of Rotary from its inception was to bring people of diverse backgrounds together in the spirit of friendship. Paul Harris believed that this was the first step in understanding. “Segregation never brought anyone anything except trouble. If
there is discord in a community, be it religious or racial, the most
certain way of fomenting it is by saying, You remain on your side of the
deadline and we will remain on ours. Ours is an Anglo-Saxon community,
and we want to keep it just that. We will continue to live on the east
side of the tracks, you on the west. There you may build as many
churches as you please and have things all your own way, so you leave us
alone.” Reprinted by permission of the Rotary Global History from the Newsletter Nuggets Section of “What Paul Harris Wrote” (www.whatpaulharriswrote.org). Celebrating DiversityAlthough Paul Harris believed that it would be wise to avoid potentially divisive topics at Rotary meetings, such as politics, he did not believe that Rotarians should be homogeneous in their makeup. In fact, he believed that clubs should represent and embrace the diversity of their communities. It is not the purpose of
Rotary to make social, religious, or racial composites of its members.
To attempt to do so would be to attempt a disservice rather than a
service. To attempt to erase social, religious and racial differences
would be an attempt to deprive civilization of one of its most promising
methods of progress. Under existing conditions, each social, religious,
and racial group constitutes a proving ground on which to test its
theories, with the result that civilization is enriched and thought
raised to higher levels. Reprinted by permission of the Rotary Global History Fellowship from the Newsletter Nuggets Section of “What Paul Harris Wrote” (www.whatpaulharriswrote.org). The Joy of DiversityOne of the great talents of Paul Harris was the ability to recognize and appreciate what others often overlooked. For Harris, diversity was not a problem to overcome, but rather was a source of delight. What a pity it would be, for instance, if the colorful lives of the various European nations were blended into one. Where then, could be found the fascination of travel? Who would be interested in a garden containing flowers of one species or one color only? Variety has been truly said to be the spice of life. Sameness is monotonous, depressing. Rotary brings men
differing in social status, religious beliefs and nationality together
in order that they may more intelligible to each other and therefore
more sympathetic and friendly. Reprinted by permission of the Rotary Global History Fellowship from the Newsletter Nuggets Section of “What Paul Harris Wrote” (www.whatpaulharriswrote.org). One Size Does Not Fit AllRotary meetings and Rotary customs vary from country to country. That should not be surprising because cultures differ on how they express the core value of Rotary: Friendship! Rotary does not
function alike in all nations. Climatic differences frequently account
for temperamental differences. Sunny skies are conducive to
light-heartedness, buoyancy, and impetuosity; dull skies to
thoughtfulness, reticence, and reserve. The use of given names is an
overture of friendship in some countries; the use of family names an
overture of friendship in others. Such considerations are not of the
essence of Rotary. Friendship is of the essence of Rotary, and customs
best calculated to promote its growth are encouraged. Reprinted by permission of the Rotary Global History Fellowship from the Newsletter Nuggets Section of “What Paul Harris Wrote” (www.whatpaulharriswrote.org). International is More than an AdjectiveThe “I” in RI is not just an adjective; it is an underlying philosophy of Rotary and has been since its inception. In his 1935 book (This Rotarian Age), Paul Harris comments on how this underlying philosophy guided the hiring of RI staff during those early years of rapid growth. A number of the staff
have been recipients of degrees from universities. Educational
requirements have increased as the movement has expanded, cultural
education naturally being given first rank. Some members of the staff
have three, four, a half dozen, languages at their command. A majority
have knowledge of at least two languages. Foreign born and educated
members of the staff insure the correct use of idioms in their
respective languages. Reprinted by permission of the Rotary Global History Fellowship from the Newsletter Nuggets Section of “What Paul Harris Wrote” (www.whatpaulharriswrote.org).
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