Based on the answers I received, culture is the way
a group of people live their lives. Culture is learned, can be shared, and is
diverse. Our culture includes our religions, the clothes we wear, what we eat, values, rules, and much more. Culture influences so many things in our
lives. Diversity is differences among people and respecting and accepting those
differences such as race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, language,
etc. In our conversation, we discussed how cultures can change and are dynamic,
but what we did not discuss was how cultures are cumulative. The different information
that people learn in their culture can be passed down from one generation to
the next. We need to value diversity. Also, anti-bias education and multicultural
education are very significant factors of valuing diversity.
My Hispanic friend stated that we all are different.
We have different beliefs, values, and rules. He also stated how Hispanics love
Mexican food and Americans love American foods, but he loves American and other
cultures foods as well. My other friend likes to dress like other cultures
because they have a different style than her own. She loves to be different and learn about other cultures.
When I talked to my friends about the definition of
culture and diversity, they mainly replied the same. It was surprising to hear
that their answers were similar. I believe that if I was to ask more friends,
family members, and colleagues to give me their definition of culture and
diversity, they would probably have similar definitions. Others definitions of
culture and diversity has confirmed my thinking that other’s cultures can be
shared and enjoyed by many people. Our cultures are different, but people
everywhere have a lot in common.
Have you every thought about work culture? What sets the culture in a work place and how would one go about changing the culture of the work place for the things that are not desirable? I would say we each have individual habits or traits that we could probably work on changing to be a better person, but how does one go about changing a culture in a group of people rather than just in one person? I see this within my own family as well. My husband and I have talked over the years about wanting to do certain things differently than we have in the past with the way that we raise our children. Making these changes is not easy, but at least we were both on board and wanted to do something about it. In the work place, what if people don't care and don't want to change the way things are? What if only a few people want the change the others do not? Can culture be changed in a group of people?
ReplyDeleteLaShaunda,
ReplyDeleteI was very encouraged to see that the people you spoke with included sexual orientation in your conversation about culture and diversity. I think that too many people look at culture and diversity as solely based on ethnicity, rather than seeing both concepts from a multitude of perspectives. And as the previous person's comment on your post, (by Kelly) points out, we also have a work culture to add in the mix of things. I think that as a whole, society needs to see both concepts with a wider lens if we hope to promote acceptance of all cultures rich in diversity. Thank you for sharing the insights of your family and friends, as well as your own. :)
Pamela
LaShaunda
ReplyDeleteI also talk about my friend that is Hispanic and how proud she is of culture. I also found that it good to have friend from different culture and that are diverse I learn so much from them. I love that talk about sexual orientation especial now that we have same sex parent raise children and important to represent that in classroom with families.
Hi LaShaunda,
ReplyDeleteI like the statement that you made about how culture influences so many things in our lives. I also really appreciate the insight you shared about how cultures are cumulative in that they are passed down from one generation to another. I love this factor and I love that today my partner and I have molded our own cultural traditions from our childhood and will one day pass these on together to our family. I noticed in interviewing friends and family members this week that different perspectives (i.e. places in society- dominant or minority culture) have a real impact on their definition of diversity and culture. I also agree with Pamela in that far too often people only look at one’s ethnicity and race when discussing culture rather than looking at the multitude of individual cultures that exist.
Thanks!
Rhiannon
Hello LaShaunda,
ReplyDeleteI noticed that your interviewee mentioned both deep and surface culture, for instance sexual orientation. My answers as well mentione both cultures, but omitted to mentioned sexual orientation, why is that? do you we are still afraid to go beyond of what is in front of our noses?