Saturday, July 20, 2013
Perspectives on Diversity
I met with quite a few colleagues this week and we discussed cultural diversity and they each had unique answers. One friend told me that her cultural diversity focused on her religion and how her life revolved around that. Another friend talked about how her cultural diversity was of the non-dominant cultural, but she her husband was a pastor in the church in her neighborhood. He was a big influence in the community and he was thinking of running for political office for his district. The views and thoughts of cultural diversity for the people I interviewed were similar to mine but yet they were different. The people I interviewed were African Americans and they saw diversity as simple and to the point. This is how it is told to me over and over. The people I interviewed did not see where there culture or diversity was any different than theirs. They have never left the state of Mississippi and they have never experienced life outside of their community. The people I interviewed were unaware of how diversity affected their children or their own lives and were content to not worry about the diversity their children were being exposed too. The ladies I interviewed were of the African American culture, but they seemed unconcerned about their children losing their cultural identity or even diversity. I was a little sad and disheartened to learn how they were not concerned about keeping their cultural and diversity alive and active in their families. I think this is a good example of how I need to make sure that I explain and demonstrate the proper professional skills and knowledge when it comes to understanding families and children’s cultural and diversity.
This has influenced my thinking of other people definitions of culture and diversity by giving me a broader understanding that others are not as concerned about their own culture and diversity as others are. This is fine and it is part of their diversity. It is however sad and disappointing to know that some families are unaware of how dominant culture influences and can change the cultural identity of young individuals.
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I think that it is amazing how so many people can have so many different views and opinions on culture and diversity. I also found that my friends and family had different definitions and views. It is sad that they weren't concerned with losing their cultural identity but maybe they didn't know what that really meant to them. Maybe their what they took with them as their culture was different that what our views of culture are. Maybe they relied more on their memories.
ReplyDeleteWell, there you have it! Just another example of how people are diverse! We all have different views about the importance of reflecting on our culture and how it influences our day to day lives. I live in a small town too. I have begun to think that part of being an educated person, in my opinion, is how willing people are to move away from their comfort zones and into the bigger world whether it be through the books we read, the people we associate with or how far we travel. I know friends who think they have been to Mexico, and in fact they have but they never left the all inclusive resort. I think culture is found outside of the gated community and lies deeper within all of us than most of us ever think about.
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