I spoke with three individuals regarding the definition of culture and diversity. They are stated below:
1. My friend, White female, defined culture as who and what we come from and how we were raised. Her definition of diversity is working, socializing or inclusion with a group of people different from your own background.
2. My brother, Black male, defined culture as everything that shapes a person into adulthood (how they behave, what they eat, their beliefs, etc.). Culture includes a person’s religion, experiences, and personal preferences and who/what a person is accustomed to being around. Diversity is just differences in a common environment, as an example different groups with different beliefs attending the same school or college. Diversity allows people to see other perspectives.
3. My colleague, Hispanic female, described culture as the set of traditions, beliefs, values, ways of life, and ways to speak. People pick up their culture heritage while growing up and this becomes a part of them. Diversity means variety, people with different behavioral patterns coexisting on common ground.
The aspects of culture and diversity reflected in the above answers from friends, family members and colleagues include the social identity identified throughout Kay Deaux’s Social Identity. It was interesting that no one related specifically to social representations or stereotypes but to the idealistic explanation, in their words, of both. Most stated and understood the importance of family involvement with culture; however, no one stated the dominant culture and their connection to politics, economics, or gender.
Listening to others views on culture and diversity makes me more interested to learning and becoming informed on learning about others. It makes me appreciate all differences and acceptance of others cultures (beliefs, attitudes and behaviors). But most importantly, it makes me acknowledge that we are all unique and should be understood and grateful for our differences.
this lesson encouraged me to explore my attitudes about the complexity of the definition of culture and diversity.
ReplyDeleteBeing unique is a wonderful part of our society. I think about what it is or was like in some places where everyone must follow the same. I think it makes us a wonderful country. I like your different viewpoints with the questions.
ReplyDeleteTerri,
ReplyDeleteI also found it interesting to hear others view of diversity and culture. As I was speaking to my sister and she stated that she didn't know if she was right but she viewed culture differently than I did. I thought her definition gave me a different view of culture.