In the midst of planning the second annual Unity in the Park Festival, set for 1-9 p.m. May 31 in JF Gregory Park, we have to ask the question: Do people really care about unity, or do they just allude to it in public, while behind closed doors they don’t care at all?
The media, through the statements made by Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling, has forced us to look at some difficult truths. Sterling indicated that certain ethnicities are acceptable while others are not. Some you can associate with for business, but never invite to your home.
“It bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you’re associating with black people. Do you have to?” Sterling said to his girlfriend.
Ideals and ideologies of this sort do not promote unity. When it comes to unity, it seems that for every 10 steps we take forward, there are those who send us back 200 years.
Sterling’s girlfriend, within their exchange, said, “But shouldn’t we take a stand for what’s wrong? And be the change and the difference?”
And that is a statement that speaks to unity. Whenever we come together as one, we are making a statement against what is wrong, a statement for what is right.
In the 21st century, it is time to take a stand for what is right. We have to remember that truly embracing unity is an act of your will and true commitment towards being involved and/or creating those things that promote unity. It requires action. It requires actions in the public to state unequivocally that you truly embrace diversity.
If you would like to be a part of Unity in the Community or Unity in the Park, please email us at unitynthecommunity@unitynthecommunity.org.

The Buttses live in Richmond Hill and are co-founders of Unity in the Community.