Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

•Call, write to, or talk to at least three friends, family members, acquaintances, and/or colleagues. Include at least one person who you believe is in some ways culturally different from you (a different gender, race, class, religion, abilities, age, etc.). Maria – Culture is the background that people have and share with their family. It is what they are a part of. For example if they are Puerto Rican like me, we have specific ways we celebrate holidays with our family that are different from people of other cultures. Diversity is when people of different backgrounds and culture come together and unite as one. Jon – Culture is where people are from and what traditions or holidays they bring with them. They are celebrated within a family setting. Diversity is when others can accept people who are different from them. They can look past their differences and still find things in common. Janice – To me, culture is what we celebrate and what we are a part of. Diversity is when we come together as a society and look past our different backgrounds to celebrate our lives together as one whole community. •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? Culture and diversity have different definitions no matter how many people are asked and what their race, religion, or genders are. One aspect of culture and diversity that I received in the answers and is similar to what I studied, is that everyone is different. Culture and diversity are something we must accept as a community and find ways to work together to make them function as a whole. The definitions I received from my colleagues briefly described that along with the fact that culture is something that is encompassed through family and traditions. •Which aspects have been omitted—and what are some examples of such omission? I didn’t find anything to be omitted. Everyone had a similar definition or meaning behind the terms culture and diversity. It all revolved around acceptance and finding ways to make it work with everyone regardless of their background. •In what ways has thinking about other people’s definitions of culture and diversity influenced my own thinking about these topics? Upon listening to others definitions of culture and diversity, I have taken the time to review my own definitions and see how they fit. I agree with what everyone said and the definitions they gave me. It allowed me to see the words from others perspectives and get a deeper understanding on the topic.