Final Draft

Out of the box

The inclusion and acceptance of unusual events to traditional scenarios is the real mental and generational evolution.  Currently, supporting a small minority means to include them in common scenarios without any distinction, otherwise it is only a vile segregation. The contest miss universe has been a worldwide contest in which women have the chance to show their beauty and also to contribute in different aspects to society. However, no LGBTI person had ever participated, last year was the first time. Nevertheless, it is a nonsense that a community like the LGBTI looks like being supported, while spaces are being categorized to separate them from the majorities. Tolerance, acceptance, and inclusion are the required steps for a mental and generational evolution that give answer to how appropriate is that an LGTBI person be part of the already set archaic mental schemes.

Firstly, tolerance. It is the first step towards a world without discrimination. It allows us to accept and listen to those who differ from our ways of thinking. According to Albert Einstein  “Laws alone cannot secure freedom of expression; in order that every man present his views without penalty there must be spirit of tolerance in the entire population." That previous quote summarizes the importance of being tolerant. It is impossible to think that laws are going to be worth it when the mental structures are so rusty that is no use on trying to change them. The religious entities are always preaching about the tolerance in home, in our daily lives and many other contexts. For instance, in the Holy Bible, specifically in Colossians 3:13 says something really nice:

“Be tolerant with one another and forgive one another whenever any of you has a complaint against someone else. You must forgive one another just as the Lord has forgiven you. And to all these qualities add love, which binds all things together in perfect unity.”

 Even the holy Bible posits it, and paradoxically, not even the religious people apply it for their lives. It is difficult to change the status quo. It is required time and pedagogical processes in between, and a great tolerance attitude to tolerate the lack of this one.  Tolerating is a tough process that is influenced by the culture and diverse extern factors. It is remarkable to accept that in nature there are also different forms of expression and despite of being a hard task, it is possible if we just give it a try. All our paradigms are possible to be modified even when they look fossilized. Our culture, and traditional beliefs make our mind twisted, nonetheless we are the only one who can turn that around.  

The Angela Ponce’ participation in the past Miss Universe 2018 as Miss Spain sparked a lot of controversy due to the fact that she is part of the LGBTI community. That was a perfect scenario for her to give a message of tolerance and respect to the whole world. During the contest she was honored for her braveness on what she said precious words that made her participation unforgettable. Angela talked about tolerance and she claimed next: “To eradicate intolerance it would be very important to instill these values ​​from a young age. My hope is that tomorrow we can live in a world of equality for all. Simply that we understand that we are human beings and that we have to make life much easier for each other” she did not classify even for the first round of participants, nonetheless being there was what she had looked forward to. Her deep message did not damage nobody, just pointed out a topic day by day more visible. Tolerance does not hurt, it is just a way that help us coexist with one another.

Secondly, acceptance. This step is a whole and consequently exceptions are not permitted. In science it is said that every single law has an exception, but in terms of accepting people, it is no possible to skip some characteristics, you accept a whole package without exception. It is like a woman who gets pregnant but doesn’t want to get fat. There are some collateral effects or damages in every situation. Even though some people resist and claim that they are not bound to accept what they do not want to, and provided it was so, it would be under their own exigencies. Emancipation is clear to have taken their minds, and they are right. However, it is a nonsense yet. As a way of example, let’s analyze the situation of the LGBTI community. They have really gone through tough situations. Now they are partially “accepted” by the society. Nonetheless, they cannot do what straight ones do. They participate in similar events such as miss universe, but it is terrible thinking about the possibility of including them in those. They already have their own contests, and it is good so far. Is it a real acceptance? Is to split up a synonym for to accept? Or is it like the saying: “Not shaken but stirred”?  Acceptance is “but-free”. There are no exceptions if it is a true acceptance, otherwise that is just a protocol and a fake attempt to evolve.

As stated by NBC news (2018), a new research study from the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law found that “Average levels of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender acceptance have increased globally since 1980, but this acceptance has become more polarized.” All over the years people have changed their attitude towards atypical conditions, although some people refuse to accept them it is noticeable that change is possible and future generations will be even more open minded and less excluding. Moreover, the biggest advances in our society have taken a lot of time because that transition is not easy and an adaptation time is required. Hence acceptance is a vital great step in all the spaces in our live. It is the result of hundreds little steps that are worth it, and absolutely indispensable to achieve remarkable goals.

Acceptance is a beautiful word which makes sense when it is really supported. However, nice words are also meaningless when your actions are opposed to them. That is the reason why some activists use all what they need in order to be heard. Social networks and all that is derived are useful tools. People have to know about diversity, and take it as it is, something natural. It has become something more visible as the times goes by, and people need to know that it does not cause any allergy, nor even a disease. Being out of the box is not a problem, it is just a new way to experience the world, and creatively to juggle with many aspects from our daily live and provide variety to such widespread monotony.

Thirdly, inclusion.  The third step is the compilation of the previous ones. There is no point on preaching without a real desire of bringing that out.  As a way of analogy, let’s give a glance to the “Special Education” and the common one. Special people who generally are looking for spaces in which they are included and understood, are actually facing a hard time. There have been created new institutions specialized in those cases, and that sounds very appropriate. Nevertheless, they are being isolated. It seems to be easier to adapt new spaces instead of teaching how to teach these kind of population. It is absolutely arduous, but I honestly disagree to have them isolated. They are not asking for a place for them to be treated. They want to be like anyone else, and they are able to do it because many cases have been seen. Nonetheless, that is the way they are accepted. It is what actually happens with the LGBTI community. They are accepted, but it is better not to have them that closer. What are people afraid of? Does it destroy their paradigms? What matters is that tolerance and inclusion go hand to hand. They cannot exist in isolation.

Talking of inclusion not only addresses people with different sexual preferences, but also people with different abilities, some physical, mental or other limitations. There is nothing that makes someone happier than feeling that belong somewhere. Inclusion is so powerful that cause many awesome reactions on everyone increasing significantly their happiness. Something that people have not understood is that we are all equal, and not because of being odd we are meant to be secluded. It is not about becoming different, it is about treating each other normally, respecting differences and not to underestimate people’ skills. Being human beings is not only a gift, we have to honor this appellative and to act as rational as we are supposed to.

In an interview made in Miss Universe to Miss Spain, Angela Ponce, she said:  "My reality is something that each person will think in a different way, because they do not educate us in diversity in schools. Still, my reality is not a reality that is 100% visible or accepted, but I understand that many of those prejudices come of ignorance, but I do not have time for that, I got what I wanted to be here and I did it." It seems to me that inclusion is a matter of living life individually. Why do you need people to be like you? Diversity is part of the world, and the nature itself. We are not supposed to live people’s life when our own is still running. Fortunately, some people realize it, and just focus on what is actually important. Educating in diversity is a good way to grow a new age with new values, and it implies not only sexual diversity, but in beliefs, religion, customs and so on.

In brief, it is absolutely appropriate that an LGBTI member participates in a traditional contest, it promotes tolerance, acceptance, and inclusion, all the requirements for a mental and generational evolution that implies equity all along. There is no time to repeat old patterns that were the cause of violence, suffering, and death so much time ago. Discrimination because of being different is not permitted. To tolerate, to accept and to include, those are part of an unbroken whole. One depends on the other and vice versa. Times have changed, and we cannot get stuck on a vicious circle where there is no way out. Evolution is passing by, and it is our choice to be in or automatically locked out of the future. Let’s give it a try to the generation where we are real human beings, not the shell who pretends to be it. Everyone has something new to offer the world, and the world has offered a large variety where to choose from. Being different has an implicit aim that we will discover just as long as we let our barriers and fears apart.  

When referring to be heard and to be well treated, accepted and included, it is utterly remarkable to let people participate in any event as they want to. What true about the world is that what you do not name basically does not exist. The differences are not bad and that is the challenge, to make people internalize it, and get used to see it everywhere. Once something is seen or heard repeatedly people just learn to adapt to it. It becomes something natural after all. If it does not cause any damage, there is no use on banning it. Tolerating, accepting and finally including those who differ from us, it is the best option. Pretending different ones does not exist, it is not going to make them disappear. Let’s become human beings. We already look alike, nevertheless some more rational actions are required to reach that human status.  We just need to treat good each other, and to be out of the box to critically understand and to promote change in our lives. All that aimed to destroy the rusty archaic mental schemes that hinder our path, and make us far away from a fair and harmonious world.