Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

When I think of culture and diversity, I first take a look and look at the closest people around me, and for this week’s post I wanted to share how my friends and colleagues define culture and diversity.  I had the privilege to speak to Mrs. Julie Harvey (Trinidad infant/Toddler Lead Teacher), Ms. Shriya Ambi (Indian Preschool Teacher), and Mr. Malcolm Ramsey (African-American Curriculum Specialist). I asked the three the following questions:

·         What is your definition of culture and diversity?

·         What affects have the two had on your professional career?

Mrs. Julie Harvey when asked stated the following:

            “I believe culture and diversity are two of the same because there are no way you can have one without the other. I would say that culture deals with the various groups of people in one society and diversity is the mixture of all the groups. I believe that culture and diversity has influenced my professionally career for the better and has made me take a closer look at all families and children and even at times colleagues”.

Ms. Shriya Ambi stated the following:

            “Diversity is what this world is about and defines the many individuals who are present on this present Earth. I feel that culture is what makes us all humans and is displayed in all the things that we say, do, dress and think. For me understanding culture and diversity is complex as the groups of people change but at the same time creates an everlasting learning experience”.

When asked Curriculum Specialist Malcolm Ramsey responded in the following way, saying:

            “As early childhood education and the field as a whole changes, so does the types of families early learning centers around the world service. As a professional I am able to see the effects of culture and diversity on the learning environment and can conclude that culture and diversity are teaching tools to understand all types of people and their backgrounds. Culture is what makes them who they are and diversity is what sets them apart from the rest”.

From my colleagues responses I am to gather how outside individuals view culture and diversity and how the two impact the field. I was also able to see that my colleagues did not touch on ethnic groups, race, religion and other key components of diversity and culture. It was very interesting learning about culture and diversity and learns about how outside individuals put each subtopic into their own category, and are able to incorporate the two into a lesson, complex thought or simple statement. I believe this assignment has allowed me to gain a true appreciation for other people and to fully respect all things that make them who they are and them family that they have.