Defining Culture and
Diversity-Three Perspectives
I asked 3 very different people to share their definition of
culture and diversity. Following are
their definitions.
#1
Culture- the traditions and customs of a people. The language and characteristics of a group
will also help define a people’s culture.
A group’s shared beliefs, art, literature and shared customs.
Diversity- The differences within a
culture or group of people. Describes a
place where there is a melting pot of race, color, religion, and educational
backgrounds. Yet with all this diversity
the group as a whole feels like one.
#2
Culture- the general way that a group of people live
Diversity- a wide range of things
#3
Culture- the mores, attitudes and traditions that define people and
distinguishes them from another group of people.
Diversity- the willingness to accept and
validate the cultures of individuals in the context of a homogeneous culture.
I
was very impressed by the definitions that were shared. They tended to be comprehensive and
insightful. Each combined aspects of
culture and diversity that we have studied in this course. The first definition of culture includes
several of the characteristics, such as language, art and literature, that
Derman-Sparks & Edwards (2010)
include when defining deep culture.
The second definition of culture reinforces the inclusive and comprehensive
nature of culture, which is described by Derman-Sparks & Edwards (2010) as
the “way we eat, sleep, talk, play, care for the sick, relate to one another,
think about work, arrange our kitchens, and remember our dead” (p. 55).
The
definitions of diversity also support aspects that I have learned in this
course. The first definition is
especially insightful and reflects on the differences among us but also that
which unites us. The third definition
also offers a theme of acceptance and respect, which are both critical aspects
of the process of understanding diversity.
The second definition explains the vast range of possible variations
among individuals or groups.
Overall,
I think these definitions, when combined, are comprehensive. While the definitions of culture are general
in nature, the generality can be seen as encompassing all possible
characteristics of culture. The
definitions of diversity probably do not include some of the deeper aspects of
diversity such as differences within and across individuals and groups.
Reflecting
on these definitions has caused me to have a greater appreciation for the
various ways that people think about this topic. It has also made me thing about how I would have defined these words had
someone asked me to do this for them. It
has also been interesting to think about how the personal experiences,
education and cultural identity of each of the people I asked to help with this
assignment might have influenced their definitions.
Reference
Derman-Sparks,
L., & Edwards, J. O. (2010). Anti-bias education for young
children and
ourselves. Washington, DC: NAEYC.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteInteresting blog! I am particularly interested in Person #2 with their response to diversity as being a wide range of things. This is interesting in a sense because it is a broad answer. Do you have any more information in regards to diversity and culture within this individual? Overall, you points add up greatly as being inclined with the book. Along with enjoying your aspects into gaining more insights into culture and diversity. Great blog!
-Adrea Reavis
Gaining a diverse understanding of what culture and diversity is, helps us as early childhood education professionals to become more diverse in our teachings. You had very diverse definitions of what other people thought of culture and diversity is which helps gain a better understanding of what other people think and how they view our society. Wonderful post.
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