In speaking with several people
about their definitions of diversity and culture. For the most part their definition of culture
includes how a person in raised by their parents or caregivers. Culture also includes the environment in which
a person or group finds themselves are influences
on a persons sense of culture. For example one person may have been raised
in a middle-class family in a big city. While another person is raised in lower
middle class family living in a more rural setting.
Diversity
is defined as the differences that are seen between people. It was further concluded our reactions to
these differences or our adapting to include these differences as positive
experiences enables our acceptance of these diversities.
In
reflecting upon the answers I received about culture and diversity, everyone
included the environment in which a person is exposed to including references
to the implied housing arrangements and economic status. All are implications of the deep culture in
which everyone takes a part.
Yet there were omissions of ideas of
food, holidays and as well as the place
that familial relationships have in our culture.
In
speaking to my friends about culture and diversity I am struck by the lack of
emphasis on what on the surface is included in thoughts of our culture. In culture
talks of food, music, styles of clothing and the influences of those in power
and fame all influence our culture. Yet no one mentioned any of this in his or
her own definition of culture. In thinking of how others view culture I am
beginning to contemplate the lack of focus on the details that influence our culture
and the culture of others are seen.
I wonder if the questions caught some of the people off guard. I have causal conversations with the people I chose to speak to on a daily bases and like a deer in headlights, their responses seemed to seek affirmation as they were answering. It was as if they expected for me to say their responses were right or wrong.
ReplyDeleteHello Tara,
ReplyDeleteThis is a hard subject for a lot of people to tackle. It also means different things to different people, and what ideals they have about culture and diversity may lack due to what is important to them. I am so grateful of this class. It is teaching me so much about the difference in culture and diversity, and that culture and diversity contain so much more than what meets the eye. I thought the surface culture i thought i knew and could see was enough, but learning about deep culture and how these traits make people who they are as well as what is seen at the tip of the iceberg, is what makes culture and diversity even that much more important to teach young children and their families. Great post, Tara:-)