Different Is Not the Same As Less Important

Different is not the same as less important. 

I read this line in a book about an English veterinarian.

But that line could just as well be applied to several situations currently going on in this very divided America. 

Some ultraconservative Republicans, such as Ron DeSantis, appear to believe that people who are different from white straight males aren't just different, they are less important. Consider the members of the LGBTQ community, who are considered less than because they aren't straight, white males. They are so less than that they don't deserve the same rights those straight white males have.

Consider drag queens who are painted as threats to innocent children about to be 'groomed' to take part in that oh-so-dangerous world.

Consider women, who are definitely less than the male population who believe they shouldn't be allowed to determine for themselves when, or whether, to have children.

Consider members of other political parties whose polling places are being removed to make voting for the non-Republican candidates more difficult.

Consider the former president of the United States who questioned aloud whether protests against him and his policies should be allowed, despite constitutional guarantees of the freedom to protest.

We all are different in a variety of ways. Different shouldn't mean less important, or not as good as, or less valued. Yet DeSantis and others of his ilk (isn't ilk a great word?) are working to eliminate -- and even make illegal -- programs that promote a diverse world and celebrate our differences. 

Maybe someday people like the former president and other so-called leaders of today's Republican party will be nothing more than an unpleasant footnote in our nation's history. Maybe someday they truly will be less important.