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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Blog: My Family Culture

If major catastrophe hit and completely devastated the infrastructure of my country and I had to move to a completely different country and bring three things with me (Excluding my family/children and strictly just three material items) I would bring: 

1.) A HUGE photo album of all my friends/family/children.

2.) An unlimited supply of paper, pens, and postage stamps so I could write to my friends and family; keep in touch with loved ones.

3.) My digital camera so I could capture beautiful places in the different countries that I’ve never been and even capture run-down places so when I visit America and visit my friends and family I can show them where I’ve been!

I would explain to others that each of these items means a great deal to me and I’d let them know why. I cherish my photo albums because inside are wonderful memories of me, my family, my friends, my children. They are memories that I always want to be reminded of and never want to forget.

Everyone that truly knows me knows that I have a significant passion for writing/pen paling so that would explain my interest in bringing paper, pen, and postage stamps with me. If I wasn’t able to write, I’d lose a huge part of who I am as an individual. I never want that part of me to be taken away. It has helped shape me into the person I am today.

My digital camera holds significant meaning to me because I have such an immense passion for photography. I love capturing photos of my family and children and even nature. There is something special about taking pictures that I just love!

My feelings, upon arrival, if I was told that I could only keep one personal item and give up the other two items would make me completely heartbroken. To be moving to a different country, somewhere I’ve never been and having to move away from my family would be tough enough; that in itself is devastating news. Having to choose between the three items after being told what I’d have to give up and do to move forward after this devastation would truly be challenging.

As a result of this exercise I did gain some insight about myself, my family culture and cultural differences in general. By doing this exercise it made me realize how important some material things can be but more importantly how family and friends are. If I was forced to move away from everyone I loved and cared about it would destroy me. Even just the thought of losing my loved ones or being far away from them is heart wrenching for me. I don’t even like to think about it. It makes me want to re-evaluate what I feel is important and not take those I love for granted. I am a realist and I know that anything can happen at any time. I really do like to count my blessings every single day! This exercise made me realize that everyone is different and there are many people in the world who have a different culture/language/religion, etc. than I do. With that being said, I’m proud to be me! I’m proud to be a Caucasian who lives in the United States but at the same time I know how to accept and respect people of different cultures, languages, religions, lifestyles, etc.