Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

This week I was ask to share with 3 people their definition of culture and diversity.

Person 1 is the cook at the Head Start center I work at. Her definition of culture is the way of life and the belief of your people. She said her definition of diversity is being able to adapt to different cultures and beliefs and accept those differences. She stated that diversity is made up of different cultures.

The second person that I had the opportunity to talk with is my next door neighbor. She is an elderly women who shared with me that “she thought culture was her beliefs and what her mama and papa taught her as a little girl growing up”. Her definition of diversity is “simple that we all have differences the people who look the same are different she explained no two people are alike in the world, we all are created to be different”.

The last person I asked about culture and diversity is my co-worker. She was born in Mexico and has been America for 15 years. She expressed “culture is what I was taught in my country to be educated and have a good life”. She said “my family has a very strong culture, we have traditions and believe deeply in our religion. She said “diversity to me is America”. She mention that “I came to America because it is a free country that provides opportunities for people, you can find people from all over the country in America”.

Which aspects of culture and diversity that I have studied in this course are included in the answers I received—and what are some examples?

The aspects of culture and diversity that I have studied in this course are similar to the answers that I have received from the people I ask the question to. From gaining knowledge and understanding I learned that “a person’s cultural group is related strongly to his or her ethnicity, which reflects the place of origin and cultural background of the person’s ancestors or relatives who lives hundreds of years ago” (Derman-Sparks, 2010). Culture is much deeper and more significant that just costumes, holidays, foods and objects and things are easy to see, taste and define in everyday life” (Derman-Sparks, 2010). We all are the same but different on the outside. We should get to know other people and their culture.

Which aspects have been omitted—and what are some examples of such omission?

I did not have any omitted because they covered everything about culture. It helps me understands what is culture and diversity. I have learned a lot from the three people I interview. When you have friends that are of a different culture or have different beliefs and you spend ample amount of time with them. Their beliefs and cultures kind to affect/effect your family cultures and beliefs. I do not feel like this is wrong. We are all different with different views. 

In what ways has thinking about other people’s definitions of culture and diversity influenced my own thinking about these topics?

I have always believed that culture plays a very important role in our lives, it influences the way we live, our view of the world, our values, our dreams, and even our fears. After reading their responses I also agree that culture is handed down or learned by observing family or society. We can choose to follow it or we can choose to follow a different culture. Diversity allows us to recognize that we are all unique and that we may share the same skills, abilities, views, believes, and behaviors.

Reference

Derman-Sparks, L. & Edwards, J.O. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)