Perspectives on Diversity and Culture


This weeks blog assignment asked us to call, write to , or talk to at least three friends, family members, acquaintances, and/or colleagues. Include at least one person who believe in some ways culturally different from you ( a different gender, race, class, religion, abilities, age, etc.).

Friend- White- American Female 

What is your definition of culture? I think culture has to do with traditions based on one's beliefs and morals.

What is your definition of diversity? Diversity are beliefs and traditions that may be a little different or add to our culture. Like we have an "American" culture, which is the basic foundation. Diversity creates uniqueness but all have basic beliefs....... these are my thoughts.

Family Member- African -American Female

What is your definition of Culture? Culture is more focused on your roots and where you come from. For example, we as African American's are a culture. People within a culture tend to believe in the same things and practice pretty much the same practices.

What is your definition of diversity? Diversity, in my opinion is how we are all different. There are so many different cultures/ races in the world today, but we all remain different. Whether it's our religious beliefs of food eaten, clothes worn, etc., it's all about differences. This is where the two words cultural diversity comes together. We learn of differences within particular groups/races when we speak of cultural diversity.

Colleague- African-American Special Education teacher

What is your definition of Culture? Culture is a groups way of life. Culture would be characteristics and the way a group speak of people, their religion, morals and thinking.

What is your definition of diversity? Diversity is being different.

Which aspects of culture and diversity that I have studied in this course are included in the answers I received.... and what are some example?

When early childhood educators think about culture, they think about the surface things that are easy to see, taste, and define ( Derman-Sparks& Edwards, 2010). The aspects that we have studied over the last three weeks that were include in most of the answers were traditions, beliefs, and the food we eat. But I have learned that culture is more than the color of your skin, but also what is referred to as "deep culture", which includes tradition, beliefs, values we use in our families. 

Which aspects have been omitted- and what are some examples of such omission.

Over the last three weeks our readings and the video segments discussed many aspects of culture, for example, family culture, surface culture, social identity, power within cultures. All answers were basically how they perceive culture and diversity to mean to them. There was no mention as to help children to understand that there are differences in people from different cultures as well as their are some similarities.

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

I have learned and absorb so much knowledge and information about culture and diversity over these three weeks of this course. I am quite sure I will learn more information that as an professional in the field of early childhood the knowledge that I obtain concerning different cultures in which people belong, and diversity will help me in the classroom with all of my students who have different backgrounds other than mine.

Reference
Course media: Culture and Diversity (2011). Laureate Inc.
Derman-Sparks, L., & Edwards, J. O. (2010). Anti-bias education for young
     children and ourselves. Washington, D.C.