During the course of volunteering with various service organizations, I have been fortunate to observe diversity illustrated on several occasions. The majority of these service organizations assisted minority families, which afforded me the opportunity to observe and interact with several diverse cultures and try to understand the circumstances that befell them. These observations allowed me to reflect on my interpretation of diversity and thus define it for myself. Diversity for me means more than just the recognition of one’s uniqueness and our recognition of that uniqueness. It means treating everyone with respect and having the patience to understand the differences contained within each individual. These differences may be along racial, ethnic, gender, religious or cultural lines, to name a few, but they are differences nonetheless.
In seeking to advance my education, I have chosen schools that have a solid record of diversity, within the student body, instructors, administrators, and employees. I prescribe to the notion that to prepare us for the future it is necessary to expose ourselves to a diverse culture while we are pursuing a collective goal, higher education. In this environment, we can understand each other’s uniqueness and develop a respect for the differences. I anticipate that there are organizations at the
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Big difference from a parochial school setting centered on Christian education and values, to a school where religion is non-existent, this was a big change for me. Finding a common ground among my fellow students was hard at first, but eventually I was able to win them over largely based on my respect for their diversity. I owe this transition due in part to my community service, which centered on the neighborhoods where my fellow students grew up, thus allowing me to understand their diverse
The concept of diversity is one that individuals may not think of when they think of nursing. Diversity is a major component to nursing and the care that is provided to patients. In this concept analysis, antecedent, attributes and consequences of diversity are identified. The following antecedents are: race, social economy, knowledge, gender, and education level. The attributes of diversity are individual, variety, perception, difference and civilization. The consequences of diversity are as follows; acceptance, decision making, cultural competency qualifications, respect, degrading, trusts
Did the Age of Jim Crow ever end? Americans see “race” as a defined, indubitable feature of nature. Racism- the act of ascribing bone deep features to people to then humiliate, reduce, and destroy them- inevitably follows from this inalterable condition. White supremacist ideals, for instance, espouse unfounded ideas that revere the white man and scorn those of color, while also serving as a nonsensical justification for practices such as slavery, racial segregation, and Jim Crow. In “The Trouble with Diversity”, Walter Benn Michaels dismisses the concept and veracity behind race, as if it weren’t a societal issue worth addressing. To ignore the reality of race would be the equivalent of ignoring the plight and shared experiences of minority groups. “The Trouble with Diversity” insinuates that “diversity” is incompatible with the society we live in; this does not mean that people of color should have to encounter racial prejudices, whether in subtle or discernible ways.
Companies and educational institutions greatly benefit from the guidelines of affirmative action because they profit from the different ideas, work styles, and contributions unique to each diverse individual. As quoted in Paul Connors’s compilation, Affirmative Action, President of Columbia University, Lee Bollinger, addresses the importance of a diverse educational system by stating, “The experience of arriving on a campus to live and study with classmates from a diverse range of backgrounds is essential to students' training for this new world, nurturing in them an instinct to reach out instead of clinging to the comforts of what seems natural or familiar” (12-13). A statement by Southeastern Oklahoma State University further supports the idea that success in modern day society stems from diversity saying, “Our country is strong because of the rich diversity of our culture, not in spite of it” (Affirmative Action).
Diversity allows us to understand the differing cultures throughout the world and gives us the ability to learn about the world around us. Without diversity, we are limiting ourselves to the cultural ideas and practices we’re involved in and aren’t understanding other ways of life around the world. My family from my mom and dad’s side come from many different backgrounds. My parents have taught me since I was a kid to respect everyone around me. I have members in my family who are European, African American, Native American, and likely other backgrounds that I haven’t been able to connect with yet. I also have family members who are part of the LGBT community. This diversity within my family has allowed me to learn about the different cultures
Ever since I began my undergraduate education, I have personally observed and benefited from the diversity of my peers. Growing up, diversity was essentially absent from my life. My hometown community is a congregation of white middle class Americans working in mostly white collar careers. I remember coming to Iowa and being blown away with the knowledge, perspective, and new understandings I gained from every interaction with someone who was unlike myself. In the past three and half year, conversations with international students have led to new friends from other countries; exposure to the different upbringing people experience has made me more aware of the benefits diversity offers. I would never have been able to accomplish the milestones I have without having the opportunity to flourish in such a diverse environment. I have complete confidence that I bring new perspectives and will contribute to immensely to the already diverse environment at the University of Minnesota.
The world is filled different cultures, races and ethnicities, and it is crucial that our higher education institutions reflect this diversity. Representation matters. We are a country filled with diverse cultures all of which whom need to be represented. The purpose of this literature review is to explain why and how diversity in a higher education setting is important. Students learn better in such an environment and are better prepared to become active participants in our pluralistic, democratic society once they leave school Diversity is not only important among the student population but also within college curriculum. It is an important issue regardless of the setting. However, when it is applied it to a place where people come to learn,
What better way to bring character and depth to a university than to encourage diversity? The multiple avenues diversity can be defined by is vital to understand before diving into the effects diversity can have. Race, ethnicity, religion, and gender are all important to consider when looking at their effect on a student body. By looking at each individually, one can begin to imagine the monumental effects diversity has.
Is there a proper way to define diversity? Personally I define diversity by how everybody is unique in their own way. Rather it be by race, age, ethnicity, religious beliefs, political beliefs, etc. It’s about giving everybody a chance, even if you don’t believe or agree with their values or beliefs. Looking past the differences, but recognizing and respecting them. Learning to understand others, even when you don’t see eye to eye. Just because you have a different view than another individual, doesn’t put them in the wrong. Talking about the differences can start a good conversation between two individuals. When conversing with other individuals you want to do so in a positive nurturing way. Don’t make them feel uncomfortable about the differences, because that just makes the situation difficult. Welcome them and don’t let them feel out of place.
For me, the word “diversity” means a lot of things. First, “diversity” is the acknowledgement that every being, human and not, are not the same. Second, it is the realization that because of intersectionality people that are collectively apart of one group can be different than other members. Third, diversity is demolishment of all binaries. Fourth, diversity is the acceptance of those that are different than you and people you associate with. In conclusion, diversity is a lot and because of this is essential to most, if not all, aspects of life.
Far beyond the obvious ethical and humanist reasons for increasing diversity, the literature is replete with evidence that a more diverse student body or workforce produces creative and competitive advantages while also enhancing a sense of belonging. In social, academic, or professional groups, diversity enhances creativity and competitiveness and positively impacts organizational culture (Surowiecki, 2004; Chavez & Weisinger, 2008). Specific to the context of higher education, research has repeatedly concluded that increasing the diversity of a campus “leads to a broader collection of thoughts, ideas, and opinions…and a wide range of perspectives on a particular issue” (Milem, Chang, & Antonio, 2005, p.7). Chang (2001) examined the relationship
When thinking about the idea of “diversity” the first concept that comes to mind is race. Although I am culturally diverse because of my mother being Filipino and my father being Israeli I also possess other aspects of diversity. Diversity can be taken into numerous directions but I think it best represents capabilities and experiences that set people apart. I have been a member of my high school Class Council since I was a freshman. This experience has let me get to know the school staff, in addition to fellow students. I have enjoyed mentoring students, organizing junior and senior prom, participating in spirit rallies, and organizing a gift drive for our teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week. This ability to work closely with a diverse
Most people today view diversity as a good thing because it gives people the chance to experience different things outside of what they are traditionally acquainted to. Diversity is all about being different and unique than others in your community. It gives us a chance to open our minds and put our attitudes aside to learn and think in a different perspective. Moreover, this could potentially lessen hostile feelings towards one another and instead empathize with each other. A few major characteristics of diversity are economic background, biology, ethnicity, education, political affiliation, language, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, and more. It’s hard to imagine life now without diversity because we would be experiencing conformity.
Diversity can be defined as a state of having a variety of different aspects or characteristics. Diversity is the coalescing of people of many different races, backgrounds, and beliefs. Other aspects of diversity include religious affiliation, gender, and sexual orientation. Diversity is important because it allows for many different opinions to be heard. In terms of trying to solve a problem, having many different viewpoints and ideas are better than having none at all. The purpose of diversity is to include and recognize each and every individual's unique characteristics.
Universities across our nation undoubtedly idolize the concept of diversity, speaking of how so many of their students come from different states, countries, and even continents and issuing scholarship to those they declare diverse enough to receive. However, I am not the definition of diversity in any way.
We live in a world where “diversity“ has become a popular topic. The term means having a heart and mind that acknowledges, accepts, values and celebrates different ways in which people live and interact all over the world. My definition of diversity would include openness to differences among people, cultures and perspectives.