Perspectives on Diversity and Culture: Asking around

This week I asked three different people: What are you definitions of culture and diversity? This must be a daunting question, because four people that I contacted via text AND email, have yet to respond. So, for the moment, we'll address the first (only) response I have and I'll amend this as they come rolling in. The following is the first response:

• "Culture is what is passed down to us through our heritage, like where our forefathers came from. Its the food, clothes, celebrations, and language that we're taught and grow up with." "Diversity is difference. It's the ways that we're different from the other people around us. You know, like race, gender, religion... differences in those make a group diverse." -14 year old Latino boy.

Interestingly, the young man who provided these definitions stuck primarily to the surface aspects of culture; namely food, clothing, celebrations. Language was the one departure from this, being an example of deep culture. Also interesting in his response was that culture is associated with heritage only, and not the aspects of his identity that he has grown into or developed on his own. It will be interesting to see if this is mirrored in the responses from others as well. 

Diversity was also limited to the more visible aspects of culture/identity. Missing were other elements that contribute to diversity such as ability/disability, language and dialect, SES, political affiliation, sexual identity, age, education, etc. 

What I found most interesting from this exercise is, potentially, people's reluctance to talk about culture and diversity. It may be something else entirely, that I have received so few responses, or it could potentially be that we have, through avoiding the topics, created a taboo or even a lack of ability to dialog about the topics of diversity and culture. We 'shush' our children when they make observations of difference and the message persists: "We don't talk about that", and then becomes, "We don't know how to talk about this". Which also means that people are likely paying little to no attention to their own cultural and diverse identities. 

As I continue to hound people, I will update this post, but as of nearly midnight Saturday morning, this is where we stand: with only the voice of a 14 year old Latino. Thank you, for your openness, honesty and courage to take a strike at these complex topics!

UPDATE: 3/26/17 9am EST:

• "Diversity is inclusion of a variety of different types of things, people, animals, etc. Culture is what shapes us, our surroundings, beliefs, traditions, religion." --67 yr old Caucasian female

What I thought was interesting about this one was that "inclusion" was used as part of the definition of diversity. Her definition of culture included more of the deep culture aspects than the first definition, but still excluded a number of deep culture aspects like ability/disability, gender identity, roles, etc. 

My first thought upon receiving these quotes was, "So diversity is what makes us different, and culture is what makes us similar", but the inclusive element in the diversity definition changed my understanding of her definition. It's almost like viewing concentric circles with self at the center, culture in the first circle around it, and diversity in the circle around that.

Hypothetical: A new world with only...

Given the hypothetical situation that a catastrophe has occurred and that my family is to be relocated to a very different country with only three personal items that reflect my family culture, what would I choose to bring?

First, and this may sound strange, but I would bring a book. "Elmer the Patchwork Elephant". It is a favorite of my son's, but is also the story of difference, self-acceptance, and appreciation of others. It's a book we have read many times, not just for the color pictures, but for the lesson that it imparts, and a reflection of my own values and beliefs, my culture.

Second, I would bring a photo album, as it is a depiction of our lives, a starting point for stories, memories, and lessons from our past. It in would be photos from our immediate and extended family. It is a record of not only our time together, but also a record of our culture in time.

I actually really struggle to identify a third item. Honestly, if we were being relocated for an undetermined amount of time, it feels as though it is the other culture that we should be learning about more than clinging to vestiges of a ravaged one. And, not being a huge fan at times of our own dominant culture, I'm not sure that this is something I would want to perpetuate. I don't have close ties to the cultures of my family's ancestry (Norwegian, Irish, and English), so items of this nature would not be important. The best I can suppose would be, yet again, books. So, a Kindle packed with classic literature (as a reflection of the culture historically) and stories that impart lessons that I want my child to learn would likely be third on the list.

Were I told that, upon arrival, only one item could be saved, I would likely feel quite naked, but in a sense liberated as well. I've moved a lot, given up most of my possessions at one time or another (moved across country with only what would fit in my Civic Hatchback at the time), and enjoyed the freedom of diving into a new place and reinventing myself a little along the way. However, that was never forced upon me, and never did a have a child to consider. No matter what item I choose to keep, it is going to be the sacred art of storytelling that carries on our culture. So, I would likely leave it to my son to choose, as he would be the one that would find the most connection to the item.

Doing this exercise revealed to me, once again, to power of literature and written word as a form of cultural identification. Literature provides a snapshot of culture in time, as well as a way to discuss values and beliefs that have served or not served the group. It also showed me what little ties I have to the dominant culture in many ways. Now, it's most likely that my reactions would be quite different where this event to actually occur, and who knows what I would "need", but having worked so long in hospice with the dying, I know that it is the stories and the memories that are most important in the end, for these are the ways that we construct our own realities and define ourselves, our families, and our culture.

Fingers crossed it's not tomorrow, but if it is, Elmer is going with us.

Reflecting on Research

     First, a huge thank you to each of my classmates who has challenged me to grow in my learning, stretched my assumptions, and shared valuable insights. It's been an interesting term both personally and academically, and I'm thankful, if a bit bruised, for the experience. In addition, thank you to Dr Todd who has provided helpful feedback and encouragement to myself and my peers throughout this term.
     Having taken Research Methods, Statistics, and Research Design courses in the (not too distant) past, I found myself pretty well prepared for this course. And while it was introduced to me in the past, getting a chance to focus on equity issues in research design, was a fairly new concept. I was familiar with power issues, and homogeneity, but was intrigued to learn about research and the deficit model. With the abundance of ethical standards and review board procedures involved in conducting research, it is hard to imagine that we continue to produce studies that reinforce potentially negative delineations between groups. It's certainly something that I will pay greater attention to as I read scholarly literature in the future.
     The greatest lesson that I learned (or had reinforced for me) this term was to approach research as you would a client: from a position of wonder, not expertise. While we may think that we have the answers, or desperately want our hypothesis to be supported, this mindset often leads to bias issues in research and potentially flawed results.
     My greatest challenges were personal. As the single mother of a very energetic 4 year old, my days are busy. Paying the bills involves a job, which I am thankfully able to do online after he goes to bed (around 8). Homework needs to find a space too, which is often either before or after the job. My days and nights have been stretched to their limit this term as I've had no additional care-giving support (my parents are vacationing). The past 8 weeks have reinforced for me that finding balance is a life long endeavor, and that priorities can shift from hour to hour, often in unexpected and even negative ways. We cope. We do our best. And we go on.
     Finally, my perceptions of early childhood education have been deepened this term. I appreciate the value of research specific to the field more so now than before. Previously, I believed that research in the ED field was primary secondary to psychology, sociology, and education. However, it is now clear that not only is there a place for this type of research, but a demand. I wonder though, how many in the field are choosing this route, and whether or not they are prepared for the rigors of research.
     Again, thank you to each of you who has contributed to the course this term. Eric, as always, it's been a pleasure and incredibly gratifying to read your work. Tequilla, it's been wonderful to gain insights from your posts and your blog. Traci and Tishae, it's been wonderful getting the additional perspectives that you have provided, particularly in the last 4 weeks. I wish you ALL the best in the coming terms and know that you will continue to do great things in the field.