Diversity Paper ETH 120
Shyamal Das
Learning Team A
Chelsey Bruton, Claudia Davila, Brianna Davis,
Devon Hickman, Anita Lee, Alisha Meadows
University of Phoenix
February 23, 2015

Diversity is defined as a great deal of varieties. Diversity among people is a combination of different cultures, religions, skin tones, disabilities, morals, and values. The great thing about diversity in the United States is that it creates an exciting environment. Diversity enriches the living experience, we learn from those who have different perspectives on life. We accept that we are different and that we can learn cooperatively in the social, economic, and intellectual world. Diversity is valued because it helps to encourage growth, personal and professional (Schaefer, 2012).
The important thing to learn is that as a society we can remember that it’s not about Black, White, Asian, Hispanic or Latino ethnicities but constantly focused on being one with my brothers or my sisters. We could use these words in our everyday lives to face any situation at hand (Kolb 2009). At the end of the day it’s about all our differences, melting into one pot and being stirred only to make a change. “The fusing process goes on as in a blast-furnace; one generation, a single year even—transforms the English, German, the Irish emigrant into an American. Uniform institutions, ideas, language, the influence of the majority, bring us in similar complexion; the individuality of the immigrant, almost even his traits of race and religion, fuse down in the democratic alembic like chips of brass thrown into the melting pot” (Munson-Coan, T). This article though written in 1875 says a significant amount about America. I think by 2050 the U.S. population will be going strong (www.newgeography.com)
In the varying cultures, there are some that believe in ethnocentrism. Ethnocentrism is one of the many problems the United States faces as we try to embrace the diversity of our nation. Ethnocentrism is when one’s cultural or ethnicity is centrally more important than another. The belief is that they are the standard to which others should live by. This belief is toxic to the world. It leads to making false accusations about someone’s values and social norms. Once we believe in this system, it misrepresents the other cultures and makes horrible communication barriers. (Culbert).
Ethnocentrism is not healthy for any community because it can lead to negativity and outright or masked racism. The labeling or grouping is done to narrow down or sometimes divide people so that they can feel safe or loved. Culture is one way of living and how they may express their natural customs. We must realize that there is no one in the world just like us, and we must accept that we are unique and appreciate ourselves from the inside out. The United States can foster a climate of acceptance and of cultural pluralism by making changes to the educational system. The point that as a society can be bring up is a lack of diversity training for the next generation. Diversity training is a hot topic for large corporations all over the United States. With the number of minorities growing in the United States there are more and more diverse work forces.
The lack of acceptance and exposure to different cultures that make up the United States has posed a problem with these mixed work groups. In today’s class room you do not always see a representation of how diverse the United States really has become. A focus on diversity while children are in school could change the climate for the future creating an acceptance and cultural pluralism tolerant generation.
The media perpetuates stereotyping and prejudice in many ways, the most effective way is through movies. While the same stereotypes that we see in the movies are the ones that are sometimes spread through television and radio you can choice what channels you want to watch. Television and radio have gotten very culturally specific. Movies however are mostly only made available at theaters. The major movies receive the largest budgets and reach most Americans.
These major movies cast Arabs as terrorist, Blacks as gang members, and blondes as dumb and other races according to the stereotypes that have been assigned to different groups. As a result, some Americans only have access to different cultures through media all they know is the stereotype that is being perpetuated in these major films. This then leads to prejudice against each other based the limited real life interaction and an over exposure to stereotypes through the media.
The media has helped to spread diversity not just beyond our local communities but far across our borders as well. With the help of internet, television and radio broadcasts you can have access to literally pretty much any and all cultural information and history that you want. We have so much to learn from one another if we wish to have peace in our world and love in harmony together. All we have to do is keep an open mind as the media always has. Media is the reason that we can learn and discern what is fact and fiction of what we see every day. Media gives us the ties to what is going on in our community and across the globe.
Each person should spread the knowledge and love about working as one and not being so prejudice toward one another. Enforcing the laws in the United States will protect individuals. It will protect us from racism, hate, and being judged. Everyone is not up for change but with the law being as a backup plan it may reduce the discrimination and prejudice. Another goal should be to make a commitment to become a better person and try and end discrimination and help others to stop being prejudice.
When people start to agree and work together it always becomes a powerful success. Once you learn more about a person or group other than yourself you tend to understand who they really are and the different type of harsh and prejudice things they may go through on a daily basis because they are always stereotyped. Respect plays a big part in being prejudice. Everyone is not the same, nor believe in the same things, but we should all be respected and show one another respect. Don’t be afraid to apologize for being wrong, it may be hard but once said it gives you the power to be free, love and respectful of every group of people.
We have to learn to come together as one and not always treat one another so mean and hateful. Once we get there and learn more about one another instead of putting others down we will be a greater country. We would all become accepted as one society, one country and one sound. Diversity is our history and present and we live in a country that has grown and accepted that times change and in time people will be supported as long as we always have people who will stand up for what is right. We are humans and have to the right to live the most authentic life we deserve without others telling us how to.

References:
Culbert, H. (n.d.). Why is ethnocentrism bad? Retrieved January 20, 2015, from http://home.snu.edu/~hculbert/ethno.htm
Schaefer, R. (2012). Racial and Ethnic Groups (13th Ed.). Boston: Pearson.
Race and Culture. (n.d.). Retrieved February 18, 2015, from http://bri043.hubpages.com/hub/race-and-culture-2
Reducing Personal Prejudices. (n.d.). Retrieved February 18, 2015, from http://www.beyondprejudice.com/reduce_your.html
Munson-Coan, T. A New Country. The Galaxy Volume 19 Issue 4
Kolb, E. (March 2009). The Evolution of New York City's Multiculturalism: Melting Pot or Salad Bowl: Immigrants in New York from the 19th Century until the End of the Gilded Age.
Jacoby, T. (2004). Reinventing the Melting Pot: The New Immigrants and What It Means To Be American.