Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

I have interview three different people about their definition of diversity and culture. One person was Jamaican, one was and African American, and the other was Mexican.  When I asked the question what is your definition of culture and diversity, the people that I interviewed said that they really never thought about it before.

Jamaican

What is you definition of culture? 

Your family history

What is your definition of diversity?

Different groups of people in one place.

African American

What is you definition of culture? 

The history of your heritage.

What is your definition of diversity?

Being able to relate to people of different nationalities

Mexican 

 What is you definition of culture? 

Different family practices.

 What is your definition of diversity?

Diversity is when different cultures come together.

Before taking this course I never really thought about diversity and culture. But after reading articles and the book for this course, I have learned more about diversity and culture. According to the answers that was given, I believe that I would  have given the same answers if I was asked prior to this course. Neither one of the people that I interviewed said anything about the small social groups that we are apart of. They just spoke of the basic things that we all think of when it comes to culture and diversity. After doing this interview I am glad that I am taking this course because I am much more educated on the subject of diversity and culture.

 

My Family Culture

If my family and I were sent to a refugee camp in another country and I was only allowed to take three items, I would take my Bible, my child's favorite toy, and my computer. I would take my Bible because I am a very religious person and our faith is an important part of my families culture. I would take my child's favorite toy because that is something that is important to get and I need to make sure that she is comfortable. I would take my computer because now a days Internet is so easy to access, so with my computer I could keep up the happenings of the world as well as family and friends that were not able to come with us.

Once I arrived and they told me that I would only be able to keep one item I would choose my computer. I would not feel any kind of way after hearing that we can only bring one item. The most important thing to me on this list is my Bible, it has gotten me through hard times and good times. But the reason that I choose my computer is because I have a digital copy of my bible on my computer. With the computer I can do so much more. I can download games for my baby, download books, and so much more.

After doing this assignment I realized that the most important thing to me on this refugee camp will be having my family with me. I am a very famil oriented person and my family means the world to me.

When I Think Research

The last seven weeks has been a great learning experience. I have learned about different methods of research and the ethical rules of research. Before taking this course I knew that research takes time, but I was not aware of all of the different things that you have to take in consideration when doing research ( age, gender, culture, etc.). I learned that you always have to have the parents and the child’s consent before doing a research. Sometimes we over look children like they do not have their own mind. One of the challenges that I encounter was telling the difference between quantitative approach and qualitative approach. After reading the chapter several times and doing my own research on the topics, I better understood each approach. One way that my perceptions of an early childhood professional have been modified as a result of this course is that I have more respect for researchers. There is a lot of work that goes into their job, and it could take year just to result for one research.