A graphic designer in Mexico defined culture as the
knowledge people gain when educating themselves in their countries’ traditions,
history, and everything they see as valuable. She said diversity is getting to
know and accept other cultures and their practices.
An African-American friend who is social worker told me
that culture is who you are because of your traditions, beliefs, nationality, and
religion. She defined diversity as relating with other people different from ourselves,
she specifically mentioned relating with people who have different skin color
and education.
A Caucasian neighbor, who is a truck driver ,considers that
culture includes behaviors, practices or traditions, holidays, food, and the
way people dress. He defined diversity as the mix of different cultures and
mentioned that globalization could be a result of diversity.
After listening to the people I interviewed, I could identify
that they conceive culture as only “the surface things that are easy so see,
taste, and define” (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010, p. 56), like traditions,
religion, food, and dressing. But I have learned that culture is something
deeper than just the things our senses can perceive. Culture also includes the conception
that people have about childhood, the roles people consider children should/not
play, family situations like migration, gender roles, recreation, and the expression
of emotions, among other facts.
After reflecting on my own culture I have valued it even more,
at the same time I have opened more my mind in order to accept the practices
that people with other cultures have and share with me… besides their delicious
food.
References
Derman-Sparks, L., & Edwards, J. O. (2010). Anti-bias
education for young children and ourselves. Washington, DC: National
Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
Hi Caty,
ReplyDeleteI had a similar reaction when I asked two people who are part of the dominant culture. After thinking a while they gave a more textbook type answer. When I asked the third person who was from another country her answer was rich with specific things that represented her culture. You make a good point - when we are immersed in the culture we sometimes overlook it.
Hi Caty,
ReplyDeleteWhen your interviewees stated that culture was too difficult to define, at least they recognized a definition of culture that moved beyond the surface to the deep elements of culture.
Caty,
ReplyDeleteI like the insight you gave about culture. Culture does involve the conceptions people have about childhood, gender roles, family situations, etc. I think you brought up some great points. Good post!
It is funny that you bring up how people responded to you when you asked them to define those two words. I had the same response from the people that I asked for our assignment. They are hard definitions to think of because we do not take the time to think of how important the meaning is in everyday life especially if you are included in the dominant culture. These two terms are easily disregarded way too much.
ReplyDelete