Bishop T.D. Jakes, founder of Potter's House, spoke on "Seeking Common Good in the Midst of Growing Diversity" at the Gregg and Molly Engles Lecture of the 2010-11 Tate Lecture Series Tuesday evening.
Jakes compared diversity to marriage, explaining that "just because two people share the same space, does not mean you have the same experience" to a full audience in McFarlin Auditorium.
A marriage is built on a relationship. Diversity can be overcome with a relationship. Both require people to teach each other and "find the common ground in the midst of differences."
"Relationships are hard work, but are so fruitful when two groups come together," Jakes said.
He stressed the importance of the intent and the responsibility Americans have to pursue and understand diversity.
"We are our brothers keeper," Jakes said. "When it comes down to it, when rubber meets the road, we want the same thing."
Jakes expressed his fear of the water starting to boil.
We are in a "staggering and changing world," Jakes said. "We can hide, but if we hide, we run the risk of loosing everything."
He furthered, explaining that in 9/11 other countries viewed Americans as alike. They did not attack just whites or just blacks or just Jewish people or just Christians. Our enemies saw us as one, while we viewed ourselves as different.
"It is dangerous for our enemy to know something about you that you don't even know about yourself," Jakes said.
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Source: SMU | Daily Campus
