Perspective on Diversity and Culture

This week we have been asked to interview 3 people and ask them their definition of diversity and their definition of culture. I have posted the question on my facebook page and I'm hoping to get a cross section of responses. I think my facebook friendship group is pretty diverse so let's  see what happens.

Hello facebook family! I'm taking a class and would like some input from you. This week I have to interview 3 people to answer the following: There are no wrong answers so please feel free to answer with your own personal perspective. I would greatly appreciate any responses that I get. Thanks! Have a great weekend!

1. What is your definition of culture
2. What is your definition of diversity

Like · · Promote · Share

• Judy Hebble, Marni Cooper and Lisa Smith like this.
• 

  Monica Carr Culture is what defines a group of people which may encompasses their history, clothing, music, language and foods.
  
  Diversity is all the differences in each of us that causes us to see and appreciate the commonality that is in all of us.

  Friday at 8:07pm via mobile · Unlike · 1
• 

  Thesha Lewis Thanks Moni!! This is great!!

  Friday at 8:10pm · Like · 1
• 

  Allison Pettis Rinker Culture is what you are made of: religion, heritage and what makes you, you!
  
  Diversity is accepting and respecting each others cultures! Diversity makes the world go around

  Friday at 8:15pm via mobile · Unlike · 1
• 

  Monica Carr Hope it helps!

  Friday at 8:15pm via mobile · Unlike · 1
• 

  Thesha Lewis Yes it does! Thanks Monica Carr and Allison Pettis Rinker!!! This is great.

  Friday at 8:23pm · Like · 1
• 

  Marcy Kinstler Silver  Culture is knowledge, experience, beliefs, values, attitudes, religion -- in short a way of life of a group of people--the behaviors, beliefs, values, and symbols that they accept, generally without thinking about them, and that are passed along by communication and imitation from one generation to the next. Diversity is acceptance and respect for cultures that are not your own.

  Friday at 8:57pm · Edited · Unlike · 1
• 

  Thesha Lewis Hi ladies! Thanks again for your input. This is the type of discussion that has been taking place in my class. There was a question that came up last week where we asked if people should really focus on how different we are. I had to say yes, I think our differences is what makes us unique. I think culture and diversity is all of the things that you've said. Diversity is the differences even within a culture. Think about the different sects within the Muslim religion. There are Sunni, Sufi, Shiites, Baha’is and Ahmadiyya .This is an example of how even within that culture, there are differences in how the religion is practiced. If you think of anything else please feel free to post it!

  Friday at 10:33pm · Like

  I think my group was pretty diverse. 

  Monica Carr- African American woman age 50 

  religious background-Baptist

  Allison Pettis-Rinker- Caucasian America women age 32

  religious background-Catholic

  Marcy Kinstler-Silver- Caucasian Amrican women age 52 

  religious background-Jewish
  
  I didn't get as many responses as I would have like to... After giving it some thought, I wonder if people are as comfortable talking about culture as they think they are. Out of the 314 facebook friends that I have, the above group of people are the people who responded.
   
  
  

  After viewing the media segment this week, I liked the analogy that Janet Gonzalez-Mena gave when she said that culture is like an iceberg… The tip of the iceberg is only the 10% that you see at the top. The 90% when we talk about culture is the things that make people feel uncomfortable that they don’t talk about. I think this may be why I didn’t get a lot of responses from the people in my facebook group. I don’t think that culture and diversity is something that we are comfortable discussing.

  
  

  During of three weeks of study we have learned that culture is “broad”. I think the people who participated in my facebook discussion all hit the mark on what culture is. Culture is the food that we eat, it’s the religions that we practice, its so many things. I do think that collectively everyone that the same ideas.

  
  

  I think that the definitions that were given didn’t really influence my own thinking because I generally I think I share their definitions.. What is interesting to me was the responses from my white friends. Within my own race I’m very comfortable discussion culture and diversity. I have to admit that I was curious to see if any of my white friends would response. I did like Marcy’s responses and I am aware that she does practice Judaism. I know that she and her family practice many traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation in her family. This was a good way to get a variety of responses from such a diverse group of people.

  
  
  
  
  

  
  

   

My Family Culture

                

 

This week we were asked to imagine being refugees being sent to another country due to catastrophe that would devastate the infrastructure of our country. We would only be allowed to take one change of clothes and 3 small items small items that are important to you and represent your family culture…

The items posted above are items that I would take with me to my new country to preserve my family culture.  

The African American Santa- Christmas is my favorite holiday that I celebrate with my family. I decorate my home at the beginning of December with African American Santa Claus figurines. I have been collecting them for many years and each year I add a new Santa to my collection. They aren’t easy to find and I enjoy trying to find them each year.

My family recipe book- I have several recipes that have been passed down in my family for many years. I would take the recipes with me to remind me of the traditional family meals that occurred in my home and in the homes of other family members.

Photo Album- Taking a family album would be a must have. Picture taking is very much a part of family events that take place during celebrations in my family. I would take the photo album with me to remind my children about our rich traditions and celebrations that took place in our family.

Arrival to our new county…

After learning that I would only be able to keep one of the 3 items, I would be upset but I would be happy to still have my family with me. Family is so much more important that material things. If I did have to make a choice about the items that I would keep, I would keep the photo album with all the pictures. The photo album would be my choice because I would be able to look at the pictures with my family and discuss the pictures and re-live the happy times that we shared. I would still hold on to my cultural beliefs with my family by remembering what we shared together. The pictures and discussions would be a great way to remember what we had.

Insight…

This exercise really made me think. I really had to think about the small things that I have that represent me, my family, and my culture… Initially I thought it was hard to try to come up with 3 small. The most important things that I thought about is my family. I’m glad that in the exercise I was able to stay with my family. I think about the past and what we’ve learned about the holocaust.. I can’t imagine what it must have been like to board trains and not be with the people you love and not be able to take anything with you.. If anything, this exercise really made me think about what I value, the traditions that are dear to me and what is really important in my life. My family is what is important. Even if I had to give up materials things, I would still have my family..