My Involvement In Diversity

1. When I first heard about this conference last year in the diversity club event, I thought of it as essentially a vacation in Atlanta. It sounded fun, but I wasn’t particularly interested in it. Still, I thought it might be worth checking out, so I decided to look online to see what its website said. What I found painted a picture very different from my first impression. It gave the impression of a legitimately powerful learning experience, which coupled with Ainsley’s testimony began to sound extremely worthwhile. I like to think of myself as a fairly culturally sensitive person, but I began to realize how little diversity I’ve been exposed to, growing up in New England. How much could I really understand cultures I had never even come

“The multicultural training movement has indeed contributed to a greater and much needed understanding of the differences among various racial, ethnic, and cultural groups (Speight, Myers, Cox and Highlen, 1991).” In looking at this statement counselors will need to expand their thinking outside of the Western European contexts. There is a difference between Western culture and other cultures. Sue & Sue, 2012 states “ each cultural/racial group may have its own distinct interpretation of reality and offer a different perspective on the nature of people, the origin of disorders, standards for judging normality and abnormality, and therapeutic approaches. (p. 45).” As we are brought together with more cultures it is imperative to understand the differences, which will enable counselors to become culturally competent.

Everyone has their own experience with diversity growing up. Some kids grow up in a very diverse neighborhood and school district, while others grow up in small farm towns where their closest neighbor is five miles away. It is always interesting to see how everyone is raised, their beliefs, and their personal experience to diversity. No matter how an individual is raised, as an educator we need to make sure everyone feels welcome in our classroom no matter what their background is.

As I reflect over my life, I appreciate the many diverse experiences I’ve came to encounter. My experience with diversity dates back to birth. I am from a small rural town, Moss Point, MS. and notably the last state to abolish slavery. The town currently has a population of 13,704 people and consists of 73% Blacks or African Americans, 23% Caucasian, 1% Hispanic or Latino and 1% bi-racial.

I always marveled at how Joshua’s Yakama managed to stay on. Sweat dripping and curls bouncing with each exercise, Joshua listened for my instruction. I had to be very articulate and an extremely good demonstrator when correcting Joshua with his exercises. A practicing Hasidic Jew, Joshua was not allowed to touch or be touched by a female.

Personal Statement on Sexuality and Diversity The identities that I have that are defined as norms have some doors for me such as being of the middle class, being slim and fit, being Christian, and being highly literate. These norms have allowed me to work in certain places, work towards my degree and do things that I may have otherwise not been able to do if I did not identify the way I do. The identities such as being African American, female, and being a single parent have made my life harder in some ways. I am judged before people even get to know me because of these attributes.

Interestingly enough, the main diversity-related obstacle I’ve faced in my life has been the categorization of diversity itself and the notion of being “enough” in these categories. I’m a person of color, and I’m a person of mixed race. My late father was English, and my mother is African American. It was always awkward growing up without my father, because I was a drastically different skin color from my mom as a very pale and white child. People often asked my mother ignorant questions like, “Is she yours? Are you watching her for someone else?”

As I slowly fell asleep with tears in my eyes, my concurrent dreams, the worry for humiliation silenced.

As I reflect over my life, I realize it has been filled with diversity throughout my childhood, marriage, and career. My experience with diversity dates back to birth. I was born and raised in a small town, Moss Point, MS. and notably the last state to abolish slavery, currently has a population of 13,704 people. The town consists of 73% Blacks or African Americans, 23% Caucasian, 1% Hispanic or Latino and 1% bi-racial.

I've been blessed to have the opportunity to attend school with and work professionally with people from a wide variety of backgrounds and built effective working relationships with all of them. I firmly believe that the different perspectives that all of us bring to the table because of our varied backgrounds only serves to enhance the process for finding creative solutions to difficult problems and I applaud companies commitment to diversity which I

Many people see the goal of diversity and inclusion as having the "correct" numbers of people from different groups. But having a community with the "correct" numbers or "enough" different people means nothing without the willingness to empathize with one another. As a hispanic woman who was raised as a Jehovah's Witness, I often feel like I am just another number. But my background means more than that -- in acknowledging the obstacles I have faced alongside the many privileges I have been granted, I have learned the importance of empathizing with all people. At NC State, I will strengthen campus diversity not being a number, but by truly seeking to understand and connect with those around me.

Significant commitment to citizenship through public service, school activities, community involvement, leadership and/or family. I can see myself supporting the multicultural environment within University of Georgia fully throughout my years there. I see myself as an open-minded student that welcomes and seeks cultural diversity everywhere and in almost anything I participate in. In fact, part of my criteria for choosing colleges was if the college of interest had a good level of diversity in terms of students, clubs and embraced various cultures, then I would consider it for application. I find it an expectation rather than an extra to be exposed to multicultural environments because my high school and my family are rich in diversity. At home, I am given a strong sense of my mainly Irish Catholic, and my grandparents tell me a lot about great-grandfathers and other relatives of mine that were of Irish, English and French descent. It was though my social experiences out of my home that I gradually found and sought out more multicultural knowledge. There are many clubs and groups within my high school that are culturally

Late sophomore year and the summer following, I volunteered at my community's family center. Most of my time was spent at the front desk: greeting and directing families, answering and assisting callers with their questions. For three days a week and 2-4 hours at a time, I was the first face families saw as they pulled open the doors, walked up the stairs, and stood before the front desk. When things weren't busy, I found myself stepping away from the desk to offer my help in things such as organizing donations, or aiding with the events that were held there. Here I developed relationships with staff, parents, and the children that came. I know my contributions to this community don't seem grand, and maybe they weren't, but I know that doesn't

One event that has had a major impact on not only my success at the University of Iowa, but me as an individual, was listening to Andrew Butts, Group Talent Manager at Enterprise, speak during Tippie Launch Week. Listening to Mr. Butts speak to the College of Business students was not only entertaining, but it was also inspiring. He focused specifically on the subjects of diversity and the multitude of life stories and paths every individual has in their lives. Diversity carries more meaning than the color of one’s skin or the cultural background one comes from; everyone is unique, and it is important to realize that no one person is exactly like another. Additionally, he talked about “being yourself” and not changing who you are in order to

Commitment to diversity means obliging to being civilized throughout the university community. That means treating everyone with respect, irrespective of age, race, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, or cultural background. We have to accept people for who and what they are. America is one of the most diverse nation in the world. Likewise, the University of Illinois at Chicago is also a well diverse institution, consisting of students and faculties from different racial background. After being bullied in high school and during my freshman year in college, just because of the way I spoke. I have learned not to treat people the way I was treated. I will develop my commitment to diversity by working with people with philosophies different