Understanding Culture and Diversity: Personal Reflections and Insights

Task 1 Webinar EFP1: Cultural Studies and Diversity

A. Culture and Diversity  Culture is shared and learned knowledge or beliefs in a particular group. Another way to describe culture is a way of life. It also is shared customs. For example, the traditions that have been passed down to me from my parents that came from their parents and beyond are part of my personal culture.  Diversity is how people or things are different. Another way to describe diversity is variety. It is also referred to as a melting pot. For example, people of different races or cultures create diversity.

B. Aspects of Diversity that have influenced my personal identity 1. Black Woman 2. Wife 3. Mother 4. Substitute Teacher

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B1a. Detailing of one of my aspects of diversity. Observable. One observable characteristic of being a substitute teacher is my appearance. For example, I wear a badge that states that I am a substitute teacher and I dress and carry myself in a professional manner.

B1b. Detailing of one of my aspects of diversity. Non-observable. One non-observable characteristic of being a substitute teacher is the passion I have for what I do. For example, although the salary is less than what I have made at previous jobs, teaching is something that I have always wanted to do. I am privileged to be able to go into the school and work with the students because I consider it an act of service, which fulfills me and makes me happy.

C. Personal Experience My personal experience with someone from a different culture is with my cousin-in-law who is Caucasian. For the sake of this assignment I will call her Cousin A. Cousin A is married to my 1 st cousin who is African American. On many occasions I have heard them talking and joking with one another and call each other the “N” word. They used the word with each other so much that it flowed out of her mouth naturally. I had a talk with my cousin and told him that he should talk to his wife about using that and other words so freely around certain people. One day she accidentally on purpose called me the “N” word and the “B” word.

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C1. Personal or Social Barrier to Diversity The personal barrier here on my part was subliminal prejudice. Since my cousin did not talk to Cousin A about using the “N” word around me and it resulted in her using it while talking to me, I took it upon myself to talk to her about it. Although, it was a little uncomfortable I felt that it was something that needed to be done. I know that she was not using the words in an insulting way towards me, but I wanted her to know that a lot of black people would take real offense to being called the “N” word by a white woman no matter how cool we are with them.

C1. Personal or Social Barrier to Diversity (continued) Cousin A understands why the word is offensive; however, I had to explain to her that although people of color use this word with one another it isn’t acceptable for others to use this word towards us. It’s hard to explain to someone that isn’t black why it just isn’t acceptable for them to use this word although we do. Even though it doesn’t make much sense, it’s more our right to use it because we took a word used to downgrade us and made it work for us, not against us. It’s really an exhausting conversation to have. I said that my personal barrier was “subliminal” prejudice because I do not consider myself to be racist and in fact I love Cousin A unconditionally; however, at the time that this incident took place I did not know her well and my antennas were up. We both had limited perception.

C2. Awareness of Diversity 1. My awareness of diversity has expanded through this experience because it reinforced in me that we are all products of our environments. I had to understand that Cousin A was just acting in a way that she was accustomed to and a person of color had never sat down with her and tried to explain to her why using certain words is offensive. 2. Beyond this experience, my overall awareness of diversity has expanded by having a lot more understanding and compassion for other people’s lack of knowledge about certain aspects of what is and is not acceptable in my race. 3. Now that I am more aware I am not quick to make assumptions or jump to conclusions. In my classroom when/if something like this arises I will be the mediator and I will encourage all involved to tell each other how they feel so that they may have a clear understanding of the problem so that they can work it at out amicably. By doing this all parties involved can see each others perception of the situation and know how to act accordingly if similar situations arise again.

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D. Diversity topic in Education A key concept or topic in diversity education is dyslexia.

D1. Diversity topic importance Being a mother of a dyslexic child, I believe it is important for educators to be knowledgeable about it so that they can learn all the different aspects of the condition to ensure that the students diagnosed are getting the proper help and accommodations. Further, educators need proper training and knowledge to help their students diagnosed with dyslexia reach their full potential.

E. Importance of continuing diversity education for educators 1. First reason it is important for educators to continue to learn about diversity issues throughout their careers is to stay up to date with new information. Times are changing rapidly and with that comes rapid change in diversity. In order to keep up with the changes educators must continue to learn and educate themselves as well. 2. Second reason it is important for educators to continue to learn about diversity issues throughout their careers is because of all the different cultures they will encounter. It is important to learn aspects of different cultures so that it can be incorporated into lessons. Learning about different cultures will help students feel respected and comfortable with themselves and others. 3.Third reason why it is important for educators to continue to learn about diversity issues throughout their careers is to see things from more than one belief. When we view things from only our point of view it tends to create division. In order to be more compassionate with others need to have several points of views available to us.

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EFP1.CulturalStudies.Task1.CH

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