Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

I talked to at least three friends of mine who were willing participants on providing their insight on what their definitions of culture and diversity are. 

          Priscilla- Culture: way of life of a given group of people including their customs and traditions. Diversity: a mix of different cultures, races, education, etc. in a group of people.

     Amber- Culture to me is what makes each particular culture group different, their beliefs, behaviors, attitudes, customs, languages, symbols, ceremonies, rituals, knowledge and practices that are distinctive to their specific group. Diversity to me is accepting and respecting that each individual is unique, and recognizing our individual differences.  For example race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, age, physical abilities and disabilities, religious beliefs or no religious beliefs, or other ideologies in a safe , positive, and nurturing environment. 

          Tasha- Culture defines a persons home (or place they grew up). It is about a specific location in which certain beliefs or traditions are practiced on a regular basis. It includes: foods, clothing, laws... etc.  Certain culture implemented into a child, bring up a child of diversity. Diversity expresses ones own inner belief adjusted to once own experience in life. Usually, we follow the traditions of our  culture and we  make it our own. We may not like something we grew up practicing, such as religion, so we may make changes in how we practice that.  To me that is diversity, what one takes away from their cultural experience and edits to make it their own. Culture creates diversity and diversity creates ones own personality and character. 

• 1.) 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? 
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• Every aspect of diversity that I have studied in this course was included in the answers I received. Some examples:  Culture being different groups of people, people having several different characteristics, the way people live their life (Lifestyle) and diversity being that everyone in the world is different yet should be accepted and respected. 
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• 2.) Which aspects have been omitted—and what are some examples of such omission?
•  I don't feel that any aspects of culture or diversity were omitted in anyway, shape or form. I think the above answers were worded perfectly and every aspect of culture and diversity is mentioned.
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• 3.)  In what ways has thinking about other people’s definitions of culture and diversity influenced my own thinking about these topics?
• Thinking of other people's definitions of culture is just confirmation for me that I fully understand what culture and diversity are. It has made me realize that not everyone's definition of culture and diversity are the same, everyone has a different meaning. I can take what I have learned in class and from the people above and apply it to my everyday life and even as a professional.
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