Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

I chose to speak with Suzanne, a colleague and friend from FLAEYC, a VPK teacher who is African American, Miss Teresa, and Stan, my husband.  I chose these three individuals for their diversity, in addition to the fact that I expected their answers to be detailed (I was, obviously, wrong!).  Each of them seemed to ponder when questioned, reflecting of the difficultly of defining each term.  Miss Teresa and Stan both defined culture in regards to surface culture, mentioning religion, and nationality.  On the other hand, Suzanne looked a bit deeper, mentioning that culture was everything that defines a person, country, or group, including surrounding environments, philosophy, and objects. 
        Each of the individuals questioned defined diversity in regards to differences.  Suzanne mentioned that it was a classification by attributes.  Miss Teresa never really defined the term, but instead, she told me that her school was very diverse.  When I asked her way, she said that the children in her classroom come from many diverse families.  To Stan, diversity is what makes us different.

What aspects of culture and diversity that I have studied in this course are included in the answers I received ---- and what are some examples.  From the video this week, I remember that J. Gonzales-Mena defined diversity as a benefit.  After our studies thus far, I am slowly beginning to see true value in Gonzales-Mena’s definition.  I have written it in my own journal; it makes sense.  However, I do not know if either Miss Teresa or Stan looks at diversity as a benefit.  Perhaps for Suzanne, the differences in attributes are benefits, but I did not ask any additional questions; obviously, I cannot speak for her.  I was hoping that one of these individuals would have mentioned the value of diversity and how important it is to respect, and value, diversity.

What aspects have been omitted ---- and what are some examples of such omission?  Due to the impact of this course, when thinking about culture or diversity, I think about social identities.  The listing of social identities goes way beyond race and religion.  All three individuals seemed to miss the impact of many of these identities.  Without a doubt, I will be discussing social identities around the dinner table! 

In what ways has thinking about other people’s definitions of culture and diversity influenced my own thinking about these topics?  Asking these specific questions reconfirmed what I already knew.  Many individuals have limited definitions of culture and diversity.  It is imperative that we spread the word. 

CULTURE
Suzanne: it’s hard to define.  Culture is everything that defines a person, country, group.  It would include the surrounding environment, philosophy, actions, objects.
Stan: It’s our race and religion. 
Miss Teresa: Our religion and what color we are.

DIVERSITY

Suzanne: any type of difference in people, geography, objects.  A classification of them by attributes.

Stan: what makes us different from every one.
Miss Teresa: my classroom is about as diverse as it gets.