Getting a new perspective

EDUC 6164

This week I played reporter. I gave myself opportunity to find new perspective on different cultures other than my own American culture. Because I work in a very diverse atmosphere it was not hard at all to find individuals asking them to define culture and tell me what diversity means to them.

Here is my report….

My interviews

Martha is Hispanic. Her culture consists of celebrations such as the Day of the Dead (Dia de Los Muertos), Tamale Day (Dia de La Candelaria), and Christmas (Navidad). Martha explains to me in her own language that culture to her is celebration of family, friends, and Hispanic history. Values, traditions, ethics, and memorabilia’s are a part of celebration. Additionally, Martha believes diversity is the ability to adapt to new surroundings in new society despite cultural differences. No matter what, celebration brings cultures and diversity together.

Moving on, my boss Roland is Dutch. He shared a story with me of his upbringing in Holland and  that he moved to the United States when he was 12 years old. I asked Roland what culture meant to him and what he told me was that culture is simply expressions. What we do, how we communicate, and the ways we work involves some kind of expression. Of course, different expressions. Roland believes diversity is in the workplace but we don’t notice (which is true). Working in relations, diversity is not recognized, it is just there. HUMMM….

Lastly, I wanted to ask the same questions to someone I have never met, someone I never talked to. I ended up meeting Aleksandr from UKRAINE! HOW COOL! What Aleksandr told me about culture is that culture brings social identities together, simply put. He then told me diversity is the “crust” of culture that holds the coming together of identities. All views, opinions, communication, activities, productions etc. come together in some way. Wow.

Aspects and insights of culture and diversity

I gained new perspectives being a reporter this week. Culture is celebration, expression, and a coming together. Diversity tags along. It is a result of differences. Understanding culture and diversity through new perspectives has influenced or even enticed my interests of cultural differences, languages, ideologies, and stories. I would use this experience to share the importance of learning of new places, people around the world so that I can broaden my own professional attitude working with children and families in the field of Early Childhood. Ultimately, embrace others as I have learned this week.