Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

This week, I took the question of culture and diversity to my son’s soccer team where a great mix of cultural diversity exists. I asked some of the parents for their definition of culture, the following is a sample of the answers I received:

“The way people live, their values, and their traditions”

“Culture is the background, religious beliefs, customs, and ideas of an individual”

“The body of customs, traditions, and beliefs practiced through generations”

I later asked about their definition of diversity, and this is what they said:

“The difference between traditions, religions, and cultures”

“Diversity is like a pot of differences co-existing at one given time”

“Co-existence of groups or people who originally belong to different cultures; speak different languages; and practice different customs, traditions, and religions”

The previous definitions truly impressed me. Contrary to what I was expecting of a superficial cultural definition, the answers had some depth to them particularly where there was a reference to the way people live and their practices through generations. I also appreciated the references made to co-existence when it came to diversity.

It is noteworthy, however; that no references were made to differences relating to gender, sexual orientation, class, abilities, or age. These differences are not commonly associated with cultural definitions even though they are a core part of what distinguishes one culture from another.

As I waited patiently for people’s definitions, it struck me how such common terms are sometimes the hardest to define with statements that would embody the true meaning of the words. Furthermore, as I asked people for their definitions, I felt pride in my own knowledge and the fact that this week’s reading has opened my eyes to a deeper understanding of these terms.