Myplace: The Place for Diversity Multimedia Analysis

University of Phoenix, Fresno, Ca

Myplace: The Place for Diversity Multimedia Analysis Diversity has always been open to various interpretations. Richard Bucher (2010) points out that because we are all unique and different in our own way there is no one universally agreed upon definition of diversity. Historically, diversity has largely been defined in terms of race and gender. The definition that best sums up my understanding of diversity is that it is a reality created by individuals and groups from a broad spectrum of demographic and philosophical differences. The list of these differences is endless and apart from the major differences of race and gender, it also encompasses a myriad of other characteristics such as religion, marital status, political beliefs, education, military status, lifestyle, social class, appearance and personality.
These differences can be visible or hidden as demonstrated in the Myplace: The Place for Diversity multimedia. A very small percentage of our diversity differences seem to be visible until you get to know the other person. Race, ethnicity, age, attitude or gender are dimensions that are visible to the naked eye. For example, a person with darker skin is different from a person with lighter skin color. The same applies to other blatantly obvious physical attributes like gender which allows us to pick out males from females. In the multimedia presentation there is Michelle who was born in Ireland but moved to the United States when she was 3. One can obviously tell that she is Caucasian and female but you cannot tell she is Irish because she doesn’t have the accent. This goes to show that as much as we may look alike or assume that we are the same based off observable characteristics we are still different and unique in our own way. It is not always possible to tell what religion, education level, political affiliation or sexual preferences one might have from first impressions. You have to get to know the person on a personal level or through asking questions to identify their hidden characteristics. This is true of Sally in the multimedia presentation. She has had gastric bypass surgery and suffers from diabetes but just from looking at her you cannot tell. These are characteristics she will have to share with you.
I tend to be very judgmental and one individual on the multimedia presentation immediately stood out for me because of her visible tattoos and piercings. I straight away assumed that she was probably uneducated or a drug user just off her superficial characteristics. I was making judgments and assumptions that were not based on fact but more on a stereotype. I later found out as I read her story and learned of her hidden characteristics that not only is she educated and successful but all her tattoos and piercings have value and a special meaning to her. The visible dimensions are only the surface of who we are, when we choose to ignore or not take the time to understand the hidden dimensions of diversity then we are making unfair, ignorant and wrong judgments. It is human nature to stereotype, have biases and make uninformed judgments but we should all make an effort to be more conscious and receptive of the diversity that surrounds us. Only when we understand visible and hidden diversity dimensions can we build tolerance and an appreciation of the differences in all of us.

References
Bucher, R. (2010). Diversity Consciousness. New Jersey: Pearson Hall.