As
I approached this week, I wanted the answers I received to be random so I put
as my status on Facebook that I needed definitions of culture and definitions of
diversity. The answers I got were as different as those that gave them and yet
each in its own way defined culture and diversity. What I realized through this
assignment is that defining culture and diversity is not something people think
a lot about. Those that answered for me were afraid there was a right or wrong
answer, I explained in this particular assignment there were no right answers.
One
answer I received was from my male cousin six years older than me. He defined
culture as the way you were raised, the morals you have, and family stability.
With this definition he brought up an interesting point. In some of the
resources we have had so far, they have discussed how the family unit affects
how one is perceived, but if as he put it the family is stable then why would
it matter? Diversity he defined as the distinction of the way you were brought
up. His definitions really made me think about how simple, yet difficult, it is
to define culture and diversity.
Another
answer I received was from a former colleague who I used to teach with in NC.
She is roughly within a year or two of being the same age as I am. Her
definition of culture is the way people around the world live from day to day
and the celebrations they have. Her definition of diversity is things that make
different cultures the same & different. Diversity is also the appreciation
of different cultures.
How
almost similar to the definitions we have heard through the panelists are
these?
Finally
my aunt who is in her 50s defined culture and diversity for me. Culture is the
roots you came from. Example: Italian, Southern (Appalacian), African American,
Irish, etc. Diversity is how adaptable you can be to situations and
surroundings, etc. Example: Going from earning $50,000/yr to $30,000/yr. Going
from living in a house to an apartment. Going from a large vehicle to a small
vehicle. Diversity can also be various ways of doing things in different
cultures. Example: In some cultures the man rules. What he says goes. Various
ways people choose to worship, etc.
While
we have learned in this course, or been reminded if we already knew, that
culture is more than just the roots you came from, it’s my aunt’s definition.
On the other hand, I like how she defined diversity as being adaptable.
All
in all I think this week was productive, I gained insight into how those around
me define culture and diversity. Without this assignment I do not know if I
would have ever asked others in my life how they defined culture and diversity.
