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.