Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

Diversity and culture can be defined in many different ways. Often times people define culture by what they can "see, taste and define," aspects of culture such as dress, traditions, and food, known as "surface culture" (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010, p. 56). After studying culture and diversity in depth, one begins to identify what is known as "deep culture," or the aspects of culture that are much more difficult to put into words, such as how and where people live and work, roles people play, hobbies people have and even the ways people express their emotions (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010). Culture encompasses many different things; it is "a way of being in the world" (Laureate Education, 2011). 

This week to gain more of an understanding of culture and diversity, I interviewed four people that I respect, work with and look to for advice. I spoke with four people that have many years of experience working with people in various settings across the country, and I was very impressed with there responses to my questions about diversity and culture. They not only acknowledged surface culture but also deep culture that is often more difficult to observe. 

The following are four definitions of what diversity is:

-Different groups of people getting along, using their differences to their advantage. Different races and abilities pooling their different ways of thinking, food and cultures.

-Groups that differ from each other, including race, culture and ideas.

-Various different groups of abilities, mainly considering diversity within a group of students in a class.

-People of varying abilities and backgrounds, including family values, education levels, individual values, and income level. 

According to the interviews, culture was defined as:

-Learned behaviors in different parts of the world. Different ways of thinking and behaviors because of where and how they were raised, including eating, religion, nationality and geographic locations. 

-Ideas formed by a group of people, including art, science, and politics. Ideas form in all areas that make up a society and those are passed down through the generations.

-Family life and values, including how children are raised, ethnicity, and gender.

-Heritage, family values and how children are raised. 

All of the definitions of diversity, refer to comparing differences in people. If people did not compare themselves to each other, we would not even notice diversity. The definitions of culture, touch on surface culture and deep culture, referring to not only food, clothing, religion and race, but also to how we are raised and the values and beliefs we live by. Culture is so individual and different for each person that it is difficult to define. The definitions all touch on the importance of culture and diversity being passed down or learned in families. It is something that is valued and taught to children. All for the individuals I interviewed have experience in the field of education. Through the definitions given it is easy to see they all have a respect for diversity and culture. 

Reference:

Derman-Sparks, L., & Edwards, J.O. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Laureate Education. (2011). Family cultures: Dynamic interactions [Video file]. Retrieved from https//classwalden.edu