How to experience diversity?

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carroll32

5-Year Member
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Nov 1, 2011
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I was wondering what everyone's definition of diversity was? Also why is it good to experience it? And lastly do you think one would experience diversity more in an environment where minorities are clear (Ex. Montana: Majorly white, but have have a small percentage of black, Hispanic, Asian, Native Americans... and so on) or in an environment where there is a rough balance/distribution of different cultures (Ex. California)

I apologize if my question came off as arrogant at all, i just wasn't completely sure how to word it. Thanks in advance!
 
Diversity to me from an academic POV is not only racial, but socio-economic.

You can come from Montana: Majorly white, but have have a small percentage of black, Hispanic, Asian, Native Americans.

Have you not met a white kid that lives on food stamps? I am sure you have.

Diversity is as much about ethnicity and race as it has to do with being poor.

To answer your question of why is it good to experience, I will tell you how we taught our children why it was good.

1. When our kids were @ 10,8 and 6 they did the usual whining of why I wouldn't take them to Blockbuster to rent a game. They didn't get they were lucky.

I had enough of their snapping at me. I pulled into a trailer park and said take a look...this is where of some of your classmates live, and they are thankful. I'll give you everything you ask for, but at the same time that means we will move so you can have it. Do you think they are being selfish and placing their needs in front of the family?

Silence. They never ever asked again why they couldn't have a new game or a Xbox/Wii/PS. My kids have 2 yr old cell phones and don't beaach that it isn't an Iphone.

2. We are Catholic, to be confirmed you must do at least 45 hrs+ service/volunteer hours.

Our children did different programs.

DS1 Habitat for Humanity
DD Local soup kitchen
DS2 Church Food pantry

They all saw that race was not a factor, and white, black, asian, hispanic all can fall on hard times.

They learned that they had the same values. They understood that these people had just as much pride as they did, just as intelligent, just as worthy as they were.

They saw past skin color. They saw that experiencing this diversity they now realized they were equals...people who should support each other in time of need.
 
Wow, thanks for the input:) very thought provoking, and i agree! I think there are many things that could be considered diversity just as you said economic, and racial, but also I think philosophy is a big one (including religion) and one could probably go on and on listing more. Thanks for the response Pima
 
Do we all not grow up with different experiences and lifestyles? That to me is diversity. I agree that race can be considered diverse, as well as socioeconomic background, but each person is raised differently from others...prompting diverse life experiences.

For example, I grew up, like Pima's kids, in a military family. To me, normal was moving every four years to a new place and starting all over. To others, normal is living in the same house for 18 years and then moving on. That in itself is diversity.

For English I 4/c year, we were required to write a paper on a time where we experienced or observed discrimination. Most of my classmates wrote about race or economic background. I chose to write about being discriminated because I was a military brat. The last place I moved to and now go home is a small town that is somewhat anti-military, even though it is next to a military base. I experienced a lot of times where my parents were made fun of for being in uniform by classmates or insulted by my teachers who said that people who joined the military were stupid.

Ultimately, to me, diversity is simply how we grow up. When we categorize it into race, religion, etc. we lose focus and separate ourselves into those categories. Just my .02 anyway.
 
trackandfield, I think your outlook is worth far more than .02.

The categorizing creates separation and makes the differences the focus.
 
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