On the balance between distinctiveness and commonality

From E.D. Hirsch's Cultural Literacy.

Hirsch identifies the paradox that if there is to be a nation committed to tolerance and diversity, there still has to be some core of commonality - if no one shares values and beliefs in common, then there is no longer a common community.

. . . the values affirmed in traditional literate culture can serve a whole spectrum of value attitudes. Unquestionably, decisions about techniques of conveying traditions to our children are among the most sensitive and important decisions of a pluralistic nation. But the complex problem of how to teach values in American schools mustn't distract attention from our fundamental duty to teach shared content.