Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

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Definition of Culture & Diversity:

1. Sherry - Special Educator, Caucasian, Single-parent, Close Friend-

Culture-Century old traditions within a concise society.

Diversity-Differences within a social climate

 

2 . Rob-Husband, Catholic, Caucasian/Italian American, father, coach, self-employed

Culture-Ethnic stereotypes within a community

Diversity-Sun of all individualists within a defined society

3.Angie- First generation immigrant, born in Mexico, First language Spanish, teaching assistant, mother of four, wife, advocate for Chicanos por la Casa

Culture-The commonly practice ways of a collective body of people

Diversity-Various characteristics within a group of people

We have learned in our class that culture refers to how particular groups of people live. It includes how we sleep, eat, speak, religion, rituals and everything that involves how we live (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010). Therefore all three definitions of culture I received this week, have given a correct definition of culture by their own perspective.

Diversity is the differences each of us has both individually and as part of our culture. Helping children to learn about valuing and embracing diversity in our society, sets the foundation for them to thrive and support the diverse world in which we live (2010). All three definitions of diversity I received this week were different, yet showed each person had knowledge of the subject.

There were several aspects of culture and diversity omitted in the definitions provided to me. None of the definitions mentioned the fact that most people do not notice culture, until they are with others that are from different cultures (2010). In addition, diversity can certainly be within a group, but it can also be as simple as the differences two people have. All three definitions of diversity mentioned differences in a group, however a single person can be different from those around them and beyond. 

Hearing others define culture and diversity has made me ponder about more complex definitions of both words. Culture is something we are born into and many times are not even aware of how deeply we internalize it (2008). As a very young child, I knew the way my family did things were different than many of my peers. I can remember from around age 5 on, that I wanted my mom to cook Mexican food and make hot tortillas every morning just like most of my friend's moms did. However, I did not connect some of those differences as cultural diversity until later in life.

References-

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).