Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

Here are the responses that I was given in regards to the definition of culture and diversity from family members and a colleague.

Shelia’s response: 

Culture is how you dress, the type of foods you eat, your values and beliefs.

Diversity is when two or more people have different beliefs and values.  Also, they don’t really believe in the other person’s beliefs.  Each group accepts their values and beliefs as being the right one.

Jeannette’s response:

Culture is what you are born into, the history of your family, the way you’re raised, and your environment.  Culture is things that are passed down from one generation to another generation.

Diversity is a mixture of things and people.

Caleb’s response:

Culture is different ethnic groups, their beliefs, customs, and how they apply it to society.

Diversity means different.

Some aspects of culture and diversity that studied in this course that were included in the answers received were: Culture examples-values, beliefs, customs, way you’re raised, what’re you’re born into, family history, society, and how you dress.

Diversity examples included are- different groups of people, different beliefs and values.

Some aspects that have been omitted are: religion, race, economic status, and language.

After listening to what other define culture and diversity to mean to them, it has influence me to understand that we all have very similar ideas about what it is; however, each person was like wow! I never gave much thought to it about myself but here is what I believe it means.  The topics of culture and diversity has help me to realize that this something that we each identify with.  We think of others as having a cultural group or being diverse, but in reality we all have a culture and we are a diverse group of people.

Reference

Derman-Sparks, L. & Edwards, J. O. (2010). Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves.
     Washington, DC