Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

Definitions of Diversity and Culture:

 Ben, age 37, married, no children, nursing student, agnostic:

 Diversity "Being willing to accept and respect other's cultures and beliefs that are not like your own."

Culture: "The expression of one's learned behavior as it pertains to social or ethnic group."

 Terri Lynn , age 50, in a domestic partnership, clothing and jewelry designer, Buddist:

Diversity: "My definition of diversity is inclusion. A variety of opinions, backgrounds, cultures and skin colors. Being exposed to people different than ourselves enhances our lives and learning."

Culture: "My definition of culture is the customs and beliefs of a people. How they live in their daily lives, how they dress and what they eat. And again, being exposed to different cultures enhances our lives and learning."

Sarah, age 35, married, mother of three boys, Christian:

Diversity: "Differences between an otherwise similar group of objects or people."

Culture: "The accepted norms, standards and way of life of a group of people."

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?

I noticed that the anwsers I received about diversity definitions included more than just accepting someone's ethnic group or race. Terri also made mention of their opinions and that being exposed to other cultures enhances our lives.

Which aspects have been omitted—and what are some examples of such omission?

I did not see anything mentioned about cultures changing or any opinions about what it is like to not be from the dominant culture.  I noticed the ansers were geared more toward the "acceptance of others".  Terri probably came the closest to including more of what we have learned, but from reading the information I gave on her, it is easy to see that she is not a part of the dominant culture and that may be why.

In what ways has thinking about other people’s definitions of culture and diversity influenced my own thinking about these topics?

One thing that stuck out to me was that Ben and Sarah had to really think about what diversity and culture meant to them.  However, for Terri, who is predominantly not from the dominant culture, the answers came more thouroughly and with less hesitation.  I am noticing now, how little about diversity I really knew before this class.  If you would have asked my definition of diversity, I would have mentioned including all races and cultures.  My cultural definition would have been what people are raised to celebrate or their religion.  I am now fully aware that these definitions are off-track.  I am glad that each week I am discovering that there is a lot more involved in being diverse and culturally aware.