From afar, the bright black mustard blooms brush broad strokes of eye-pleasing yellow across green and brown hillsides. They grow plentifully; they flower abundantly. They also grow too tall for sunlight to reach the plants they eventually tower over. They release a chemical into the soil, quietly preventing the spread of other plants. Their seeds settle deep, and remain viable for years. These pretty little flowers push forward, undaunted, looming ever larger, until grass and shrub and other shades of color are swallowed in their relentless, unyielding invasion. Up close, nature’s sunny flair is not benefit but tyrant.
Knowing what’s to come impresses a fatalistic doom upon those with a view, as the natural, wild blends of greens and browns, white and purple and orange, are gradually replaced by an unending wave of yellow. Black mustard flowers may be bold and cheerful, but they are an invasive species, so their beauty exacts a heavy cost.
Yet, it’s difficult to convince others of threat when it goes about its business with such bright effect. For it works quietly, efficiently preventing the spread of natural shrub and wildflowers without fuss, only mere replacement through ever burgeoning displays of yellow. Further, black mustard has something to say about perseverance, about the overwhelming takeover of a landscape with cheery, uncompromising domination.
The plant isn’t entirely without merit. It attracts some of the right insects and it’s domineering properties can protect certain plants in its natural, sun-shielding shadow. Thus, benefits are to be had from this invasion, but only if the plant is kept under control, a transient mercenary force rather than the settling of permanent occupation. To say, the pretty, and pretty destructive, flowers can be enjoyed, but only with constant vigilance and moderation.
Aside from methods of conquering landscapes, black mustard has something else to share, something deep and viable as the seeds that breed a plant which invades with such sunny beauty. Which is that much of the same can be good, to an extent.
To the point, there’s a vital difference between unity and uniformity, and it’s one that makes all the difference.
Uniformity may bring together or be comprised of similar or disparate parts.
But then, identities are streamlined. Uniqueness is streamlined. Differences are streamlined.
Many are brought together and made to be the same.
Uniformity is needed in situations mandating relentless forward movement or unyielding protection, areas where sheer number specifically matters. Sports. Thickets. Wars. Thus, uniformity results in a formidable, unrelenting mass as sure to overwhelm as to conquer.
Unity brings together or is comprised of similar or disparate parts.
However, identities are maintained. Uniqueness is maintained. Differences are maintained.
Many are brought together and become something more than any one alone.
Unity does not mandate sameness, only that each should contribute to the totality. Creativity, ingenuity, and innovation are encouraged and given place to flourish, because variances do not threaten the unit as it would the uniform. As each part is included, the entirety of the united parts becomes greater than what each could be alone. Although there can be elements of uniformity within unity, maintaining individual identities past the surface is part of what makes unity what it is. A single defector can cause a significant threat to the united. Subtract one and some impact ripples through the makeup of the whole.
Thus, the endurance of unity is dependent upon each part submitting and contributing to something more. Imagine completing a puzzle with a missing piece; imagine attempting a puzzle with all of the same pieces. The key to unity is that while differences are not quashed, they are bundled together or willingly set aside for the sake of unity.
As uniformity demands that each part become the same, a decrease in one results in little more than a decrease in the total sum. Unlike the distinct nuances which are maintainable within unity, uniformity essentially creates interchangeable parts, so any one could be switched out without anyone the wiser. Unlike the consideration to the individual possible within unity, a defector in the ranks of uniformity is either overpowered or disposed of.
Each has their advantages, but it’s important to know which should be given primacy and when. Even more, the ultimate intent is made known by whichever aspect is emphasized over the other.
The natural landscape, the plant life native to a region with varying brush, tree, and wildflower existing in a singular harmony is united. It can be wild, it can be cultivated, but always it comprises different parts blending together. Black mustard leaves no room for others to grow and thrive; black mustard forces uniformity.
Uniformity forces sameness of its parts for the sake of a singular form; unity shapes according to its varying parts, bringing them together for the sake of something greater.