Should we all be considered the same or different?

Today the discussion was very interesting. The discussion about people with disabilities brought up several questions. One question that really stuck with me was, should everyone be considered equally the same or should people with disabilities embrace who they are?

I honestly think everyone should have the right to be who they are. Why should everyone try to fit under the same category in society? Yes we should all be treated the same equally as far as rights and other choices as a citizen, but not out personal make up and identity. I personally take pride in being a minority and an African American woman. My culture has not always had the easy life in the past and still in some situations present day, but it is who I am and I would not change it for the world. This is how I feel people should view those with disabilities. Yes their physical make-up might be different or the way their brain works, but it is all apart of their own culture. I have a uncle who had a disability. He is 47 years old and his mental state is the same as a 6 year old. He knows he has a disability and is proud of it. He does not choose to let that bring him down while living his life.

Overall I feel as though the differences of people is what makes our world so beautiful. I know it might be easy for me to say all these things because I do not have a disability and that may be true. I just see how happy my uncle is and he never complains. He is very smart and he focuses on the positive aspects of his life and having a disability is one of them. Yes he has his bad days, but so does everyone else. I believe it is only fair for society to accept people with disabilities just as they do for other people from various cultures. We prompt diversity all through society and it is time for people to start letting their guard down to groups of people who come from all kinds of cultures besides those based on the color of skin or religion.