Vasile 1

Andrew Vasile
Professor Kubler
English 115
4 September 2014
Diversity
The population in America today is growing increasingly different due to
immigration and the diversity of people that live here. With each generation developing
into a more unique community there is a higher chance of conflict arising between
neighbors. There are other diversities other than race; on the other hand, there is also
economic and social diversity. Although diversity can help communities grow and learn
from each other it also paves the way for many disputes and can do more harm then good.
In 1971, famous singer John Lennon from The Beatles wrote one of his most
inspiring songs, Imagine. In his first stanza Lennon writes, Imagine theres no
heaven its easy if you try, no hell below us above us only sky (Lennon 1). He begins by
singing about a world where peoples decisions are not influenced by the fear of not
getting into heaven. His view on religious diversity suggests that the world might be a
better place without people fighting over which religion is correct. John Lennon
continues to sing, Imagine theres no countries it isnt hard to do, nothing to kill or die
for and no religion too (Lennon 1). Lennon tries to paint this picture of an imaginary
world where institutions like religion and political territories dont exist, and in this world
everyone lives in peace and happiness.
From the first two stanzas of Lennons song the argument can already be made
that religious diversity causes conflict between people, and in a utopian world religion

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would not exist. In the second half of his song John Lennon vocalizes, Imagine no
possessions I wonder if you can, no need for greed or hunger a brotherhood of man
(Lennon 1). One implication that could be made from this quote is that Lennon switches
from religious diversity to the differences in economic status between people. In this
perfect world the rich would have to give up their possessions in order to be the true
definition of equal with the rest of the population. He writes as his last words, I hope
someday youll join us, and the world will live as one (Lennon 1). For his image of the
world to live in peace everyone must live as one with no conflict over differences in race,
religion, or economic status.
Robert D. Putnam takes a more logical approach to the influence of diversity in
communities in his article E Pluribus Unum: Diversity and Community in the Twentyfirst Century. Putnam explains in his article that there are two theories that follow
diversity, one being the contact theory, and the other being conflict theory. He states
that the contact theory, argues that diversity fosters interethnic tolerance and social
solidarity (Putnam 2). This suggests that the more people are exposed to diversity the
more accepting they will be of other peoples cultures and traditions. Now the opposing
argument is the conflict theory, which suggests that, for various reasons but above all,
contention over limited resources diversity fosters out-group distrust and in-group
solidarity (Putnam 2). He further explains how diversity causes ethnicities to group with
their own race, which causes them to outcast and distrust those that appear different from
them.
As he moves past his research on the behavior of communities with ethnic
diversity he looks at the interaction in communities with different economic status.

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Looking at the relationship between economic inequality and ethnic diversity Putnam
states, our core finding that diversity produces hunkering is equally true both in
communities with great economic disparities and in those that are relatively egalitarian
(Putnam 5). Putnam emphasizes how the conflict theory makes much more of a sound
argument now showing that even with different economic backgrounds, people who are
more diverse in their communities are more likely to stick within their ethnic group and
distrust those outside of it. With diversity getting bigger and bigger in America there are
many social problems that arise with it. Robert D. Putnams last words in his article
explain that, e pluribus unum reflects precisely that objective namely to create a
novel one out of a diverse many (Putnam 5). This is the motto on the Great Seal of
the United States because when there is a diverse group of many different types of people
nothing will get done unless all differences are put aside and they come together as one.
Both John Lennon and Robert D. Putnam make valid claims and arguments for a
world deprived of diversity. In his song Imagine John Lennon uses compassion and
imagination to make his point and draw listeners to his perfect world. On the other hand,
Putnam provides facts and evidence while conducting his own research on the effects of
diversity in communities. Both pieces of literature use ethos, pathos, and logos to
convince their audiences of the utopian world created from a lack of diversity.