Perspectives On Diversity and Culture 

  

This week's blog assignment allowed me the opportunity to sit and talk to three friends/colleagues on their perspectives on diversity and culture and how it relates to their world. Many of the responses were similar but because each person is unique in their own rite, expression of their culture and diversity took on a different meaning. 


My initial discussion took place with one of my colleagues whose responses and ideas were similar to what I have read during this past week. She stated, "culture is important because it is what we bring into our families. Things such as my traditions, holidays that I celebrate or choose not to celebrate, my traits and/or behaviors that I have. I think they are the way in which I act and/or respond to certain situations. My interaction and my beliefs and religion. My culture is my connection to self and my family's roots.  Her perspective on diversity is that, "it is being able to adapt to the environment and people you are around and being accepting of others. It is a way of connecting with people"(M. Hemington, personal communication, Nov 12, 2015). 
 
My second conversation consisted of a discussion with my friend who is a Reading Specialist and Elementary School teacher. Her perspective regarding culture and diversity as an African American female. She states, "culture is the make up of characteristics that are shared within families and relationships. They represent beliefs, views and standards that are practiced and applied to families. It also means being proud to be part of a family/culture that represents who we are.  My definition of diversity for me simply means a melting pot of differences"(S.Thompson, personal communication, Nov 11, 2015).  

  
My last discussion was done with my friend/colleague who shared her experience growing up in America and in an area that was not diverse in culture and ethnicities. She states, "culture to me is everything. It means the way in which my grandmother woke us up in the morning to the way in which we celebrated holidays. It also represented our communicative ways with others. It affected the clothes that we were allowed to wear or not, and the way in which we traveled on vacations. I believe diversity is being able to see beyond color and gender. But being able to look into people's thoughts, actions, and their soul of who they are. Growing up, I was not able to see different ethnicities but after the age of 12, I was able to really see the world and see other people that were also part of a world that I had no idea of. I enjoy the differences that people have (T. Heath, personal communication, Nov 13, 2015). 
  

One aspect that I was surprised that was not mentioned is the aspect of food. Food is usually a huge expression of culture. Regardless of the ethnicity, many cultures enjoy sharing this part of their heritage. Food is a way of sharing and building relationships with individuals. Another aspect that was not mentioned but is of importance is religion. Culture does also represent religion. This is big for me as this represents my faith. There are many individuals that do not really practice and/or believe what I believe but this is what makes us different and does affect "diversity".  
 

In conducting these discussions and receiving feedback from my colleagues, I have been influenced by the fact that culture and diversity has different meanings and understanding for many people in different ways. It was interesting to hear my colleagues discuss and share about their personal life experiences and express their feelings on their concepts and share their experiences. I've enjoyed learning of and getting to know my colleagues in a more personal view as they shared their perspectives. Again, for me, accepting people as they are and being open and willing to let them express who they are is something that I am comfortable with doing.