Aspects of culture and
diversity that I have studied were “dominant” in one of the responses. It was shared
that if you are born rich you see things from rich perspective and gives no consideration
to the less privileged. Also, an element of “deep culture” was addressed in the
response of community connection and prospects for having equal opportunities.
A relative defined
culture as a lifestyle created by our background and race in our environment,
and diversity as including other people from different countries to advance
their goals in spite of beliefs or what they look like.
A co-worker who is Hispanic defined culture as
a connection with community and family history that involve customs of language,
foods, music, and history. She defined diversity as respecting other people’s traditions
and their right to have a good life of education for children and work in
America.
A friend defined cultural
as family roots and heritage, and defined diversity as understanding other
races of people and letting everybody in to share in the hope of equal
opportunity.
Reflecting on these definitions
of culture and diversity reaffirmed the fact that we have to move beyond “surface
culture” and go deep into it. Also, we have
to embrace diversity in our society because it is here to stay. We have to really understand all components diversity
and culture in order to promote social justice for children in the classroom.
