Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

Tobi (Nigerian-American) - Tobi feels as though culture involves traditions, behaviors and values learned from our families. 

 -Tobi feels as though diversity simply means differences among different groups of people. 


Dana (Jamaican) - Dana feels as though culture consists of behaviors and personality traits that shape our self identities and self awareness in the world. 

-Dana feels as though diversity is the differences within behavior, thinking patterns, morals, values etc. amongst differing races, ethnicities and cultural groups. 


Dayo (Nigerian) - "Culture is self awareness, customs, beliefs, our affiliation within a certain group within society, as well as our way of life. 

-Dayo feels as if diversity is basically a melting pot of different races, ethnicities and cultures meshed into society. 


Which aspects of culture and diversity that I have studied in this course are included in the answers I received—and what are some examples?

In the answers that I have received from speaking with family members and friends intertwines with what I have already learned regarding culture and diversity within this course. I have learned and understood the importance of diversity and how it helps preserve children's self identity within their family cultures, which promote healthier development and a feeling of belonging after entering their dominant cultural environments. It is important that EC professionals form partnerships with families to meet the needs of children and provide support. Lack of support and respect for family culture within the classroom can lead to cultural discontinuity.

Which aspects have been omitted—and what are some examples of such omission?

Cultural discontinuity was definitely omitted from the responses that I received from each of the 3 people. I feel as though many people lack the knowledge of how important our family cultures are because they become assimilated with the traditions, values and ideas of the dominant culture once they are exposed to it after starting school. Cultural discontinuity is when a child enters an early childhood program and their teachers’ way of doing things differs from that of their family culture, or the way they have learned to do things before entering into an early childhood program. My cousin Tobi experienced cultural discontinuity after moving from Nigeria to America when she was 6 years old. In Nigeria, you greet adults or those in authority by kneeling. Tobi quickly grasped that children in the dominant culture greets adults by saying “hello” or waving. As Tobi grew older, she began to mesh more within the dominant culture due to her classroom being centered on the dominant culture’s way of learning and behaving. 

In what ways has thinking about other people’s definitions of culture and diversity influenced my own thinking about these topics?

The responses strongly related to everything I have thought about culture and diversity. Culture is deeper than celebrations and traditions but can also be related to religion, hierarchy and gender roles, values and what the family considers to be important, a connection with family and self, as well as holidays and history. Diversity is very important within the classroom, as well as getting to know about each student’s family culture and encouraging them to talk about it and embrace it. Embracing and maintaining the family culture build self - confidence and a strong sense of self-identity.