Week3
Perspectives on Diversity and Culture
Culture and
diversity are important concept in our society today; they tend to help us
define who we are and what makes us different from another. Part of
understanding these terms is sharing people’s opinions about what these
concepts means to them.
The people I called
and talked with to share their definitions about culture and diversity are my
husband, a friend (Nigerian), my husband’s friend (Saudi Arabian), an Indian handy
man
My husband-He
defines culture has a way of life. Generally the way we do things. Diversity
means differences between us, in terms of food, language, dressing, beliefs and
values, religion
My friend-defines
culture has the characteristics of a group of people. Characteristics in terms
of food, clothing, reli1gion, traditions, holiday’s celebrations and diversity would
be the differences in these characteristics that people can identify us with.
Saudi Arabian-culture
is a way of life; it is a shared belief, values, traditions, and custom that we
have inherited over the years. It s what guide our way of life. For example,
the Saudi Arabian culture is guided by the Quran and traditions of generations
before us. Diversity to me is the differences between us. Differences that make
people know us and our origin.
An Indian-culture is
the way we live everyday that we see in our family. In my culture there is
language, food, clothing, music, dancing, religion, and watching movies is part
of our way of life.
From the
definitions I got from people which were similar to what I studied in the course
are their examples of culture from the surface as well as the deep aspect of culture
Example of surface
from the example-food, clothing, holidays, arts (music, movies)
Example of deep
are-language, values, ideas, beliefs, religion
The aspect I noticed
was omitted as to do with individual unique way of life, the identity we create
for our individual self, the definitions referred culture to more of a group
thing or family and no special emphasis on an individual unique way of life .Examples such as race ,ethnicity, gender and class were not attributed to diversity. Diversity
was not also seen from perspectives like ones ideology about issues in life or
preferences in relationships or sexuality.
From the
definitions people gave, I have come to understand that culture is an important
part of everyone. It is how they have grown to live their lives which make them
unique or act as their identity. This identity cannot be separated because to
them, like the handyman said ‘it is how we live everyday’ that is it is
important to their survival. With this I believe culture is crucial and should
be respected and understood from varying perspectives.
