It’s the simplest of the lessons taught by Christ, yet it’s the hardest to live by: “Love one another.”

On March 31, residents of Selma, Dallas County and other areas will have the opportunity to celebrate our diversity with the 4th Annual Defiant Run.

The event is a 13-mile road race and obstacle course during which two people of different races are cuffed at the wrist and have to work together to make it to the finish line. If you don’t think you can make a 13-mile run, that’s okay, there’s also a 5K walk/run.

The idea for the run is based on the movie, “The Defiant Ones,” which starred Sidney Poitier and Tony Curtis. In the film, the two prison escapees are handcuffed together. They must learn to trust one another and work together in order to survive.

This year, some city leaders such as Probate Judge Kim Ballard, City Council President George Evans and Mayor James Perkins Jr. have committed to participate in the run.

Founder and organizer Frank Hardy says these officials will lead by their example.

While awards are given in various categories, the real benefit of the Defiant Run is getting to know your partner.

By working together to complete the race (or walk), you find out that we all have much more in common than we might think.

Plan now to participate, or at least support in some way the Defiant Run. It’s an opportunity to bring the city together, and we all have to agree that we need that.