Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

Definitions from family and friends:

Marcia: Diversity: An expression for several different people
Culture: An expression for groups or places that shape an individual

Nicole: Diversity is different qualities, races, or mix of cultures brought to one organization, community, area, etc.
Culture: is how you are raised. Culture is what your background consists of and what you grew up in and were exposed to, by your community, your family, your ethnic background.

Tony: Diversity: Is everything. You have to be a part of it. Its not a word, its a way to be.
Culture: the views and practices of a certain group of people; ethnic, generation, religion...

Carmela: Culture & Diversity: To me it is how one learns about other peoples culture and tries to understand the difference. That's why culture and diversity go hand in hand. If one learns about different cultures, they are exploring the true meaning of diversity. We are all diverse in one way or another, so understanding the difference makes one culturally competent.
 
Camara:

When I think of culture, I think of my family and ancestors. I think of my heritage on both my maternal and paternal side. Culture relates to all the things that make us who we are, the struggle and the ups and downs of everyday life. I relate culture to my religion, to my belief of the American dream and most importantly to how I raise my own children. My culture is unique to me because of my race, ethnicity, skin complexion, hair texture, height, build and so many other factors.

Diversity reminds me of a rainbow, each color is unique but when put together they complement each other. Diversity in my opinion gives you a variety; a variety of cultures, opinions, attitudes, beliefs, religion and ideas. You don’t have to change who you are, you just have to learn how to co-exist with other people who do not always think and feel the same way you do.

In the definitions I received, they did reflect what I have learned in this course. For example,  “Diversity is everything”, “Culture is your background”, "..Makes us who we are"..

 Individually, some definitions do lack some  factors in describing diversity and culture. If I combine all of the definitions, I do not think that they have omitted much at all.

By listening to other peoples definitions, it has influenced my own thinking about these topics. I see that their definitions stem from their life experiences. I could also combine all these definitions to make a well-rounded definition.