...Just as a cover does not fully reveal the text of its book, the ambiguousness of my physical appearance has never truly represented the cultural diversity and experiences of my life. People have inquired about my nationality and guessed countries from the sunny shores of Samoa to the mango orchards of India. In the sunshine and heat of the summer, a person wouldn't likely guess, from the melanin in my skin and salty ringlet curls that crown my head, that I fluently speak Croatian and love the Croatian folk dance “kolo.” However, weeks into winter that same person would not guess from my pale tan and straightened hair that I experience the prejudice of bearing the label “Black.” The diversity of my background continues when a person asks me where I am from, to which I recite the following: “My dad is an African-American soldier from...
Words: 816 - Pages: 4
...Diversity is a very imposing word and an even more imposing meaning that can be interpreted in indefinite ways. The Oxford definition is very simple, “a range of different things.” (Oxford Dictionaries-Language matters, 2015) However in life the meaning of diversity is much more complex, and it keeps growing more complex with each day. People currently can range in race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation; each day the list appears to grow. Diversity can be both a positive and a negative when people use it either correctly or incorrectly by their words or actions. Diversity also changes as society changes and grows in similar ways with the growth of society. Diversity is the music of the world, when looking at the cities and cultures of...
Words: 1005 - Pages: 5
...BEHS 220 (2152) Personal Action Plan for Diversity Consciousness 8 March 2015 Introduction Diversity is an ongoing discussion in day-to-day life. Not many situations occur without diversity having a role. There are a multitude of topics that introduces or involves diversity, to include age, sex, race, gender, ethnicity and so on. Prior to participating in this Diversity Awareness class, I’ve always thought diversity was more geared around discrimination and racism. Through weekly readings and discussions, I have discovered that diversity is much broader than that. There are many countries that are mixed culturally with people from all over the world, but none like the United States. The United States has the largest mixed culture in the world. Growing up in South Carolina I was exposed to different cultures, however I never fully witnessed some of the cultural things I’ve witnessed since joining the Army. My time in the Army has taken me places I never would have imagined and have exposed me to many different cultures. Reasons for taking BEHS Diversity Awareness I am pursuing a baccalaureate degree in Criminal Justice and it is required for me to complete 6 semester hours of Behavioral and Social Science courses. I’ve always been fascinated with understanding and learning more about...
Words: 1967 - Pages: 8
...This paper will provide insight to who I am as a learner, my strengths, areas of research interest as well as my interest of exploration in reference to the doctoral process. I consider myself to be an everlasting, lifelong learner and I have the yearning to want to broaden and deepen my skills. While the master’s degree I attain did not land me my job of choice, I feel that a more advanced degree will. I dream that the next job that I have will be a job that I consider to be interesting, stimulating and challenging all at once. I’m not one that likes to live with regrets. I don’t want to live my life saying, “what if”. At this juncture I have the mental fortitude to keep going. One of my strengths is the ability to manage the time that it will take to do the leg work to attain this degree. I understand that the road will not be a crystal staircase, but one with bumps, potholes, dark places and unknown territory. Another strength is the ability to prioritize my workload. At this point, I understand what needs to be done; and I understand that it has to be planned in a timely fashion or things will not get done. I also bring the strength of being motivated. Motivation has brought me to this point. I realize that I have be motivated in order to get things done to complete a degree that I’m investing my time and spending my hard earned money. Those factors alone keep me motivated to move ahead. On the other hand, I need stamina and...
Words: 804 - Pages: 4
...A Diverse America This paper focuses on the question “How can people be made more accepting of diversity?” The paper is organized into five sections: What I Knew, What I Want to Know, Literature Review, My Search, and the Conclusion. The sections What I Knew and What I Want to Know provide background knowledge on why this topic is one of personal importance and why I fell others should see its importance as well. The two sections also address what subjects will be spoken of and researched in the paper. The Literature Review is divided into three sections: What is Diversity, How Does Diversity Affect Individuals, and How Can Acceptance of Diversity be Promoted. Each of these sections provides research on their respective questions, mostly focusing on religious and racial diversity. The My Search section contains information from a personal Interview with Dominik Unger, a previous political refugee. Finally, the conclusion contains personal...
Words: 2931 - Pages: 12
...Margaret Mead, an American cultural anthropologist, had this to say about diversity “If we are to achieve a richer culture, rich in contrasting values, we must recognize the whole gamut of human potentialities, and so weave a less arbitrary social fabric, one in which each diverse human gift will find a fitting place”. As school, work, and our neighborhoods become increasingly diverse, we must amend our current way of thinking to be considerate of multiple cultures that are now present in our daily lives. As I set out on a quest to observe this diversity, I will evaluate the ethnicity, race, gender, and age of the people within my neighborhood, school, and work. In addition, I will assess my role in these diverse environments as well as the consequences of my observations. I was born and raised in a neighborhood located in Southwest Denver. I was able to walk to elementary school where the students were predominately white. From what I recall, the students all played together, as young children do, without separating into groups based on what race or gender someone was. My school experience changed drastically when I went to middle school. In the 1970s, the state of Colorado decided that even though there was no legal segregation, the racial makeup of the schools was unbalanced, so the controversial policy of busing was implemented. This controversial integration policy would force me to attend schools comprised mostly of African Americans and Hispanic students....
Words: 869 - Pages: 4
...head: Action Plan "The Plan": Diverse for Life by Planning for Action Miss Chriscilia Suma Lyles Webster University Abstract This paper describes an exercise that could used to increase students' sensitivity to workforce diversity and related issues of power. Through reflections on past experiences and interaction with others, students heighten their awareness of their own and others' experiences with human diversity and begin to develop links between diversity and power dynamics. The Diversity profile is designed primarily for organizations and individuals interested in developing their interpersonal relations. The profile introduces knowledge, feelings and understanding of variety of human basic to people with whom we work. This profile enables one to identify opinions and feeling about the workforce diversity through four levels. This paper represents my attitude towards diversity. . "The Plan": Diverse for Life by Planning for Action Cultural diversity encompasses the cultural differences that exist between people, such as language, dress and traditions, and the way societies organize themselves, their conception of morality and religion, and the way they interact with their environment. In my diversity profile, I received personalized feedback that moves through knowledge, understanding, acceptance and behavior. Each shaped my attitude towards diversity. My name is Chriscilia Suma Lyles. I was born in Brooklyn, New York...
Words: 1017 - Pages: 5
...Diversity is present in today’s society that includes diverse people especially in the United States. The increasing rate of immigrants into the United States is the result of the American culture becoming diverse. As a result, natural born citizens of the United States are now marrying into other cultures and understanding different cultures and how to incorporate it into their culture. These are changes that are associated with diversity and considered leverage to the strengths of diversity to produce competitive advantages. Culture is a strong part of our lives that is valuable and influences our views on society. The challenge in culture is to understand a different way to build an extended relationship. People of different religions and ethnic groups are helping to build communities and establish relationships with people from other cultures. The local media address cultures in community as members of the ethnic community, because it consists of Americans, Hispanics and Asians; living in a diverse community has taught me the importance of other cultures. The estate has a lake with a boat and ducks, during the evenings several of us would congregate and share in our cultural beliefs. We all work together to make improvements in the landscaping and improvements of our homes, working together has brought a significant change. Each of the cultural groups has their own individual strengths and perspectives that we all benefit from. Events that take place in or near my area are...
Words: 1517 - Pages: 7
...completely and will maintain the revolution of diversity. This will require society to develop an increasingly awareness of the challenge of each other’s differences. With the fact my Major is in Psychology with a Minor in Diversity Awareness. The intention of taking this class is one to fulfil a requirement for my degree but to also benefit myself and to better the people I am consistently around. I have always lived by the famous quote, by Gandhi “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Another reason for taking this course is supporting the fact that everyone is different. I am currently pursuing becoming a Special Education Teacher. Well, with that I am...
Words: 2199 - Pages: 9
...Diversity in the United Stated Miranda Kennedy ETH/125 May 27,2012 Margaret Wilson I think it is commonplace to think that diversity means race and in my opinion diversity is so much more than race. Diversity can be defined by many definitions but I think that diversity has only one true meaning. The true meaning of diversity refers to cultural differences that make up the qualities in people that make us vastly unique. Diversity is a assessment that is revealed in mutual respect and appreciation of the similarities and differences such as age, culture, education, ethnicity, experience, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, etc, that make people unique. I think diversity within the United States is continually evolving and a process that is forever changing. The United States is a melting pot of cultures that are different in everything from thoughts, principles, lifestyles, and ambitions. When I was younger I had a friend whom only went to church on Saturday. I thought that was strange considering my own family only went to church on Sunday. As I grew older I realized that my friend belongs to the Seven Day Adventist Church and my family attended a Primitive Baptist Church. I realized that our church services were vastly different, but the message of the savoir in Christ was essentially the same. This experience opened my eyes up to the fact that people could look the same but have entirely different faiths. In recent years there has been a tacit...
Words: 1550 - Pages: 7
...Diversity Concept Worksheet Zeundrax Phillips University of Phoenix Rachelle Disbennett-Lee MMPBL560 August 9, 2010 Diversity Concepts Worksheet |Concept |Application of Concept in your personal and/or professional life |Reference to Concept in Reading | |Cultural Symbolic |In my personal life every first Sunday of the month, I engage in |A symbol of culture can be verbal and| | |communion a nonverbal symbol of my culture. The consuming of bread and |non- verbal can be used to uphold and| | |blood that symbolizes a form of Christianity. |innovate the culture (Kottak & | | | |Kazaitis, 2003). | | |In my professional life I listen to my teammate every day hold a | | | |conversation with her borrowers in Chinese language. If I have time I | | | |sometimes try to interpret some of the words she is saying. | | |Multiculturalism |I am a part of multiculturalism every day of my life professionally and |The excessive amount of human beings | | |personally...
Words: 502 - Pages: 3
...Diversity is an important part of the 21st century society that we live in today because it brings an abundance of different views and opinions to the world. Personally diversity is a very important part of my life because of the exposure to different cultures, varied ways of thinking, and friendships I've made with others over the years. Therefore, diversity has brought a great change in the way I live my life today. In the time I've spent at school I've met a great number of people that practice different customs and cultures. For example, I had a few friends that were catholic and took part in lent which is the season of penance, reflection, and fasting that starts on Ash Wednesday. This experience was worthwhile because it became part of a lesson I had in my world...
Words: 660 - Pages: 3
...Cultural diversity and maturity assessment Name: Instructor: Course: Date: Cultural diversity and maturity assessment Introduction I am an African America male of 43 years of age. I am a family man who is married to one lovely, lady. I have been married for the last sixteen years, and God has blessed us with two children. I have a highly rewarding job which has able to sustain my life up to this point. I am a sales manager in an American company. In addition to this, I also serve as pastor in my church. I am Christian who strongly beliefs and practice moral Christian virtues. I am a widely travelled man. I have travelled to many parts of the world such as Italy, Africa, Germany and Switzerland. My experience as a pastor and manager has made competent in handling many issue in life. I have undergone a lot of transformations in the course of life to become highly diversified and a flexible person who is able to interact comfortably with diverse cultures. My journey in various part of the world has made appreciate many cultures. This paper focuses on assessing my cultural diversity and maturity by addressing how my life experience such as upbringing, work, education, social and religious interaction have contributed to making a culturally mature person. Culture can simply be defined as the way of life associated with particular people. There are very many cultures in the world that are totally different from each other. Character refers to individual characteristics and...
Words: 1123 - Pages: 5
...Diversity means a range of different things, the quality or state of having many different forms, types, ideas, etc. They use diversity when speaking of races because there are so many races and they are all different. Diversity has helped me to understand more about other races in the world. As I have been learning these past nine weeks I have learned so much that I have truly changed as a person to try not to be prejudice towards others. In the past honestly I was very prejudice towards others just by their looks. There are many ways that diversity means for things in the world. So many things are different in the world, but that doesn’t mean we need to be prejudice about things or people. The things I have learned about my own racial, ethnic, and cultural history is that race doesn’t matter. I know that whites use to be the most popular race in the world but that has changed a lot in the last century. Whites are now the third most popular race in the world. For ethnic there are many different groups in my race. Groups like Christians in my race many people are Christians so they are considered an ethnic group. Things I have learned about ethnics are that there are so many different types of groups in the world. They don’t need to be judged or criticized. There are many ethnics about Americans. Cultural history in my race is things that have shaped the world today. Americans have come a very long way in life. They have shaped this world to what it is today. It is a strong nation...
Words: 1016 - Pages: 5
...On October 18, 2015 a peer diversity educator, named Margaret, visited our class in order to inform us better on the type of diversity seen in our classroom and on our campus in general. At a first glance, our classroom didn’t appear to be very diverse. We are all caucasian, and honors students, however, as we dove deeper into the activity it came to my attention that the class was a lot more diverse than we appeared. I thought that this activity was very insightful and will be very helpful in advancing inclusion in my personal and professional life. In my personal life I believe that this training will come in handy because it will help me remember that not everyone is who they appear to be. In our class there were many people from different...
Words: 443 - Pages: 2
