Throughout history, millions of people have perished as a result of being different from others. Just about every leading country has experienced dark chapters of bitter clashes over the human right for every human on this planet to be treated with respect and justice, regardless of ethnicity, skin colour or religious persuasion.

Wars have been fought over this issue, with enormous suffering and loss of life, and while there has been progress in recent times, the struggle to eliminate bigotry and prejudice is a battle far from over in a world yet to learn from bitter lessons of the past.

There will always be conflicting views on the best formula for a better world, but there is no substitute for decency, respect and accepting that no one should feel superior to another based on race, economic power or nationality. After two World Wars, and countless other military conflicts, much of the world finds itself wondering whether there is any hope of real improvement in understanding that economic greed and power should never be placed above dignity and the right to live freely in a climate of justice for all.

In recent years, thousands of souls have been lost at sea, trying to flee violence-riddled regions, where every day is a fight for survival. The deadly civil war in the United States, which was fought because southern states refused to acknowledge equal rights for former slaves, was an extreme price to pay, especially since every human being is entitled to freedom and justice.

After a long, hard struggle, with blacks and whites giving their lives to defend principles the nation was founded on, today there is still a climate of racial tension that is not helping to move the world’s leading nation forward. The present leadership in America is not seen by many as being committed to the principles of truth and decency. In fact, they have adopted immigration policies that have generated controversy around the world.

When people are judged as being unacceptable to enter the United States, simply based on their place of birth, or religious affiliation, racism is still at work. Millions with no criminal records have every right to seek refuge from war-torn areas and suffering at the hands of brutal regimes. There are very few countries in the world today that have not experienced the changing international climate, where diversity has become a reality with mixing cultures learning to work and live together — even overcoming language barriers.

With modern transportation and massive cyberspace communications, the world is a much smaller place. In other words, there will be no turning back from expanding global diversity.

This perhaps is why in the US there is such rage over building a wall along its border with Mexico at an estimated cost of between $8 billion and $12 billion. A number of experts view the scheme as a waste, since people determined to enter the United States seeking asylum will find other ways to achieve their goal.

While the White House seems committed to such a wall, critics see it as turning America itself into a prison. This will be a key issue in the approaching midterm elections, as the Democrats attempt to unseat the Republicans in a deeply divided climate of political mistrust.

The world is also watching closely the complex legal issues that surround people who were closely connected to the Trump Administration. How it will all work out is still a guessing game, even for experts. However, one thing seems certain: wall or no wall, global diversity is here to stay.

There are still pockets of extremist groups that speak as though they want another crack at a civil war to prevent the unstoppable march to international diversity. The American people are not going to stand idly by and allow that to happen.

Nothing will stop the free press from informing the people and the world that America is much bigger than moves to slow diversity by way of bureaucratic and cement walls. No administration is larger than truth and decency.