Jen- Culture is a person’s way of life, such as their age, clothing,
economic status, and family heritage. Diversity is the degree of change and/or variance
to the amount of various cultures.
Sheila-Culture is all the things that make a person who they
are. Diversity is all the differences in society from a variety of cultures.
Chris- Culture is a combination of your belief system and
societal norms. Diversity is the level
of difference there is society in relation to culture.
Each one of the answers relates to what we have been
learning in this course. Social identities and the relation between diversity
and culture can be found within the definitions provided. Jen uses examples of social
identities to define culture. Sheila recognizes that culture is the embodiment of social identities and how someone defines themself. The relation between culture and diversity is
prominent in the definition of diversity by all three.
One of the topics we have been discussing in class which is
omitted from the definitions provided is the degree of power in culture. While
Chris notes that culture is related to societal norms, he does not specify any
degree of power or how the norms may change depending on the diversity of the
culture.
Exploring definitions of culture and diversity with other
people helps me to understand just how complicated it is to incorporate culture
and diversity into any program if we all have different definitions of what the
two are. If everyone has a different answer to what culture is, for example,
how are we to truly capture its essence and to ensure cultural awareness is
present in programs? There are so many topics to explore within culture and
diversity which are essential to fully gain the true aspect of these definitions.
It is important for anyone working with children and families to have the
information necessary regarding culture and diversity to be able to promote and
enhance cultural awareness.
That is an excellent question you posed and you are right. Many people have different views on exactly what culture and diversity really is. Culture is an umbrella and covers many things but if we do not have a clear understanding of this we cannot embrace each other and our differences. These differences help us learn from one another.
ReplyDeleteThis course has really opened my eyes on how different one person may perceive diversity than another. This will help us as educators to create a warm and caring environment.
ReplyDeleteTerri:
ReplyDeleteYou were correct in saying that so many different definitions for culture and diversity are bound to blur the lines of understanding in the long run. I honestly think that culture and diversity should be a core curriculum class starting in early education and should continue, because our world is so diverse and culturally eclectic. Thank you for the post!
Vernanna
I've learned so much about other cultures since taking this course. I have a new outlook on culture and diversity. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAlicia
I am so enjoying this class. Learning about the human race is so importatnt. As a nation it seems that there is always aattenting on these two words, however, I feel that people do not listen. I feel that we are all here to listen and gain knowledge on how to create a balance in our lives and our classrooms.
ReplyDeleteTerri
ReplyDeleteI think the key is that we all have to recognize that there are differnt cultures and thos cultures need to be respected. I think once we do that we will move beyond surface culture. We will then understand the inportance of culture and the vital role it plays in educating our children.