Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

I asked three friends what their definition of culture and what their definition of diversity is...

1.  Culture - has to do with a person's ethnicity, family values, & beliefs
     Diversity - are the unique differences of individuals in regards to race, norms, & beliefs

2.  Culture - traditions, hand-me downs of your people, what you grow up with; religion, government, environment, social standing.  Where you live also shapes your culture.
     Diversity - reaching outside your culture, circle, and yourself to experience other cultures, traditions, and other peoples ways

3.  Culture - It is where you come from, your traditions and beliefs
     Diversity - what makes us different

I think that each person I interviews understands that we all have a culture that makes us who we are.  We have shared traditions and also we have traditions that are unique to our family and/or community.  My friend Sharon (2) has been in early childhood education for over 30 years and understands that everything around us shapes our culture.  My friend Sandra (1) is African American and will be taking this class in the near future.  I think she will deepen her understanding even more about what culture and diversity are.  And my dad (3) seems to get it, but I may need to deepen his understanding.  No one mentioned diversity as including differing abilities, I know that Sharon and Sandra, as early childhood professionals are aware of this, they did not mention it when we were talking.  They also did not mention gender and how that shapes our culture and is also a part of diversity.  By asking others to talk about culture and diversity, I can see that it can mean a variety of things to other people.  We all seem to understand that culture makes us who we are and that we need to embrace diversity.  It also gives me a better understanding that we all see things differently and yet very similarly.