Three Unique Perspectives on Culture and Diversity

As I thought about who I was going to interview for the questions of culture and diversity, I wanted to select three people who have different roles in my life.  James Moss is my husband.  We hold many of the same ideals, so I was interested in his response.  Cindy Larsen is a co-worker.  She has also been through this Master’s program, so I wanted her specific response because I know how deeply she thinks about these questions.  Lastly, I chose Shivi Stanley, the parent of one of my students.  She has lived many places and her background is very diverse.  Here are their responses:

James Moss

What is your definition of culture?

Geographical characteristics or traits that define a group of particular people

What is your definition of diversity?

Accepting/respecting individuals’ unique differences, whether it be race, gender, age, or religion

Cindy Larsen

What is your definition of culture?

A blend of family and traditions that is reflective of a wider group of people

What is your definition of diversity?

Just uniqueness and difference within families and groups of people

Shivi Stanley

What's your definition of culture?

I've always thought of culture as a collective and intangible representation of every significant experience that I have lived through thus far.  I was born in the United Kingdom, grew up in Toronto, Canada by immigrant Sri Lankan parents who moved myself and my two sisters all over Canada and the US.  Growing up as a first generation child, at times I felt I lived in two different worlds.  I would go to school during the day, be my "Canadian/American" self.  I would have conversations about make-up and boy bands, eat McDonalds and pizza and look forward to the weekend when I could just hang out with friends.  When I was at home with my parents and extended family, I was often spoken to in Tamil although I would (and still) always respond in English.  We would eat Sri Lankan curries, while my dad blasted Bollywood music over the stereo.

I view culture as something that is unique to each individual.  My own personal culture is a combination of my Sri Lankan ethnicity and Canadian/American upbringing.  Given the blend of three very different cultures, I feel as though it has provided me with a unique perspective on other cultures around the world.  I'm able to take what I value and shape it into a unique experience for my own family.  

What's your definition of diversity?

I have always enjoyed diversity.  The city of Toronto is a melting pot of diversity and growing up in a Toronto suburb for most of my childhood, I have always been surrounded by many different people.  Some of my closest friends growing up were Italian, Pakistani  Dutch, Russian and Irish.  Everyone I knew spoke at least two languages, ate all sorts of different foods and practice various religions.  Living in a diverse community, I have learned a lot about how others live and what values are important to other cultures.    

When I think of the word diversity, I think of people of different cultures and ethnicities living together in harmony!    Diversity is a collection and union of cultures from around the world, that have been adapted to the new environment   I feel as though living in a diverse community allows you to understand other cultures and provides a greater appreciation of your own culture.

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The answers I received from James and Cindy were exactly what we have been discussing in this course.  They were very concise and really put into words what culture and diversity are.  I don’t think I could have been as spot on if I had tried to answer these questions. 

The answer I received from Shivi truly touched me.  I was thrilled that she would share so much of her heritage with me, but I was also amazed at her views on culture and diversity.  Her background is way more culturally rich than my own (and probably Cindy and James’), and therefore, her answers were richer.  I truly love her little girl, Anissa, and cherish their whole family.  Unfortunately, as children grow older, they grow out of our room and have to move on.  Anissa will be 1 year old this coming Friday, so she will soon move out of our room.  It is bitter-sweet as I think of her smiles, laughter, and cleverness, but I know she needs to move on to a room that will both challenge and nurture her growth and development.  She has brought me SO much JOY and saying goodbye is always so hard…

 

I love you, Anissa!!

Only Three Things - My Family Culture

Imagine the following:

A major catastrophe has almost completely devastated the infrastructure of your country. The emergency government has decided that the surviving citizens will be best served if they are evacuated to other countries willing to take refugees. You and your immediate family are among the survivors of this catastrophic event. However, you have absolutely no input into the final destination or in any other evacuation details. You are told that your host country’s culture is completely different from your own, and that you might have to stay there permanently. You are further told that, in addition to one change of clothes, you can only take 3 small items with you. You decide to take three items that you hold dear and that represent your family culture.

The three items I would bring would be my wedding ring, a picture of extended family, and a hymnal. 

My wedding ring is very important to me and the culture of my family.  It not only reminds me of the commitment I made to my husband, but also lets the world know that my heart belongs to someone.  As an American, wedding rings are very culturally significant, so it would also be a reminder of my home.

I have always lived far away from extended family.  With a father in the Air Force, we were almost always several states away from grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.  Now, I can add to the list my brother and him family, as well as my husband’s brothers and their families.  Knowing that they would not be coming with me would possibly be the hardest thing about leaving.  Having only a picture would be awful, but if it was the only thing by which to remember their faces, I would take it. 

The final and most important item would be a hymnal.  I was raised in the church, and grew up singing and playing instruments.  I always felt closest to God through music.  It is for this reason that this choice was a hymnal, and not a bible.  Many hymns are based in scripture, so I would be able to have both scripture and music.  This is important to my family culture because church was always a family affair.  My entire family sings well, and church hymns are a thread that runs throughout the entire tapestry of my life.

 If, upon arrival to this unknown land, I was told I could only keep one item, I would keep the hymnal.  This would be tragic, and it would be very hard to decide.  I believe that there would be a way, once in the new location, that I could secure another ring to keep on my left ring finger to remind me of my family culture.  It might not even be made of metal, but my wedding ring isn’t about what it is made from – it’s about the symbolism.  The picture would also be extremely difficult to give up (I’d probably try to sneak it into the pages of the hymnal...ha!), but I know in my heart that I will see them all once again.  

I really hate having to think about scenarios like this.  Being in a strange country, not knowing the language is hard enough without adding the strain of not having much of your family or your possessions.