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Ona Eze (she/her/hers), Low Entropy Volunteer Writer

Unity can feel like a big word. A heavy word. But the more I think about it, the more I realize—it’s not about all of us being the same. It’s about learning how to move together, live together and hold space for one another, even when we come from very different places.

For me, unity looks like what happens when cultures come together—not to compete or dominate, but to blend. To listen. To learn. To share. When we open ourselves up to that, we’re creating something powerful. Not perfect, but meaningful.

Culture Isn’t Just What We See—It’s What We Carry

Culture is more than clothes or cuisine or music—though those are beautiful parts of it. Culture is in how we greet our elders, how we mourn, how we celebrate, how we gather around a meal or honour a promise. It’s how we were raised, what we believe and what feels like home.

And yet, even with all our differences, there’s a common thread—we’re all looking for belonging. We all want to be seen and accepted. And that’s where the blending begins. When we make room for each other’s customs, languages, ways of thinking, we don’t lose ourselves—we expand. We grow.

I’ve had moments where I’ve been invited into someone’s cultural experience, whether it was through food, prayer, dance or simply conversation. And I’ve seen what happens when people lean in with curiosity, not judgment. Something shifts. A wall comes down. A connection is formed.

Unity Isn’t Passive—It’s Intentional

Blending cultures isn’t always easy. It takes effort. It takes listening more than we speak. It takes unlearning. Sometimes it even takes a little discomfort—being okay with not knowing the “right” thing to say or do, but still showing up with respect.

Unity is not about pretending differences don’t exist. It’s about saying, I see you. I might not fully understand, but I want to. It’s asking questions and being open to the answers. It’s realizing that what’s unfamiliar isn’t threatening—it’s just new. And it might even become something beautiful in our lives if we allow it.

The Real-Life Moments That Stay with You

I remember being at an event where people from so many different backgrounds brought dishes from their cultures. A woman shared a story about how her grandmother taught her to make a certain dish during the war, and someone else from a totally different country said, “My grandmother said the same thing.” Different continents. Same warmth.

That’s the kind of unity I believe in—one that doesn’t erase difference, but sees the humanity in it. Because at the end of the day, we all have stories. We all come from somewhere. And when we share those stories—whether through food, art, language or presence—we’re weaving something stronger.

Don’t Mistake Unity for Conformity

Sometimes people think blending cultures means giving up who you are to “fit in.” That’s not unity—that’s shrinking. That’s erasure. Real unity means you bring your whole self, I bring mine and we find ways to honour both.

It also means being honest about the systems that make some voices louder and others quieter. Unity means making room. It means stepping back when needed and making sure everyone feels safe, seen and heard.

A Blend, Not a Blur

To me, blending cultures is like mixing colours. When done with care, the new shades created aren’t muddy—they’re rich. Deep. Unexpected in the best way. Unity isn’t about blurring everything into one grey space. It’s about bold colours standing side by side, learning how to complement and respect each other.

We are stronger together. Not because we’re the same, but because we’ve chosen to walk together in the middle of our differences.

And that? That’s what unity feels like to me. A shared table. A conversation. A willingness to learn, to try and to show up. Again and again.

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Onachukwu (Ona) Eze is a purpose-driven professional with a global mindset and a passion for people. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, she grew up in a creative and professional household that sparked her love for storytelling, learning and meaningful work. Whether she’s leading inclusive hiring strategies or building systems that support people and performance, Ona brings heart, clarity and results. Outside of work, she thrives on cultural exploration, community connection and uncovering what makes organizations and people grow.