On the Seventh day of Christmas, an extra ordinary Jamaican gave to me:
The embracing gift of diversity.
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Growing up in Jamaica I was exposed to diversity in my home, in my church and my school. My Grandmother was a great cook and her passion for cooking and love for people has impacted my life greatly. My desire to share my heritage through food I owe all to her.Our Jamaican motto “out of many one people” was a true reflection of my environment.
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Moving to New York, the great big melting pot, I was surprise to find that there were so many people who are clannish and afraid to step out of their box to embrace cultural and ethnic differences. I am very thankful for my universal spirit. I am always open to learning new things and meeting different people.
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My world is a much bigger place with wonderful people of different cultures in my life.
I have a very diverse group of good friends, from Demark, Colombia, Vietnam, Indonesia, India, Korea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and the Caribbean, with whom I have shared cultures, food, music and life experiences These connections have led me produce and host “Michele’s Island Kitchen”. This cooking show explores the diversity in Virginia and the DC metro Area. My guests bring their varied styles and cultures, and we have a great time sharing our experiences.The program can be viewed as follows:
- 3rd. Tuesday of each month at noon & 8:30 pm.
- 4th. Friday of each month at 10:30 am.
- The TV channel is Fairfax public access, Virginia, channel 10.
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So, as we reflect on this past year full of challenges and changes, let us take a moment to look within ourselves and determine how we will make a difference in the coming year by extended ourselves to our neighbors regardless of our differences. Remember our neighbor is not only those where we live, but everywhere we go.
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There’s a beautiful world waiting to be discovered, it begins with you and me.
Michele Bailey
Entrepeneur