Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Sensitive to Cultural Diversity
I'm glad that Mrs. White pointed out some things in class today about the example of people's perceptions of coal miners and how some of you all experienced some negative things in relation to that but had never really thought about it when you yourself pre judge. We do live in a society where the unknown is feared, if you look different, sound different, have different views then people start judging but get offended when it's turned around on them. I think it's very important to be open minded to everybody and their experiences and backgrounds and differences especially in a classroom because you will be spending a lot of time with your students and will have an influence whether positive or negative.
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I agree with what you are saying as well. My generation, I feel is more open to change than past generations. My parents are very judgemental of people. My roomate dates someone of a different race and my mother just thinks that is horrible. I did not tell her for the longest time and then she found out, and of course made a big deal about it to me. I told her not to judge him and that was that. But I do think society as a whole needs to learn that everyone is diverse and that's what makes us the United States of America. We live in a country where we can practice freedom and when we do, definitely not be judged fot it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you!
ReplyDeleteDid you ever tell her one of your professors is married to a black man? Ok, I now need to change that statement. Have you told her that one of your professors is the widow of a black man? It's ok, whatever she would say or whatever her opinion is. She is just as entitled to hers as I am to mine. I would never begin to think I could choose for her or her daughters who they should marry and never want her to think she could choose for me. I respect people's right to have their own opinion. I may not understand or agree with it but I will defend their right to have it.
ReplyDeleteI'll be honest to say that I am often AMAZED at "God fearing, God worshipping" people who can in good conscience believe that anyone is inferior to another. The last time I read my Bible God started mankind with two people, Adam and Eve. We all descended from them. I wonder what they are going to do in Heaven?
I agree completely, this was a very interesting topic and I thought it was a great way to address these problems that would be faced in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteThis is very interesting topic. I enjoyed the classes that was spent on this. I feel like everyone needs to be more aware of different cultures and what they bring to the world. Than if someone is more or less superior than the other. I have family members and friends that are like that, they get under my skin. I say if they were to walk a day in the other peoples shoes. I do believe that their opinions would change.
ReplyDeleteI think this is something that is very important to keep in schools. I am from Rockcastle County and the first black family just moved here this year and their children go to our schools. I have noticed that not everyone in the county is open to this idea. There oldest daughter plays basketball and the family was sitting by themselves, no one really spoke to them. So me being the way I am walked by and I spoke and introduced myself. I feel like that may could have been a start to get others to open there eyes to new things.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was really cool that you hit on the topic of cultural diversity. I am from Cincinnati and my high school was like 80% African American. We also had a ton of Hispanics and by my senior year there were many Asians. I loved that my high school was so diverse. It was sort of a culture shock when I came to EKU. Right from the start I realized there was not much diversity. That was not what shocked me the most. What shocked me the most were the things I heard when I first came here (and still do) about African Americans. I never hear any racist comments when I am home. You just don't say those things. Plus, I'm pretty sure you would get beaten up or shot even in Cincinnati for saying some of the things I have heard. Anyways, I learned that most people at EKU who are from Kentucky probably went to school with a total of 2 African Americans. Many of the people I have met are not very open-minded when it comes to different cultures. (For example, we can think that black guys are cute, but you absolutely do not date them). I also observed that there is not much mingling of the races here. I see lots of African Americans on campus, but they only hang out with other African Americans. It is the same way with everyone who is white. It's like they only hang out with other people who are white. I have also come to notice that we have a lot of students from the Middle East (mostly Saudi Arabia) and they never leave their group either. It's like there is an invisible line and we are not allowed to cross it. I am a senior this year and it still makes me as sad now as it did when I was a freshman. EKU is not at all like my high school and it makes me really sad. I wish people were more open-minded and willing to step out of their comfort zone. People of a different race/culture than you are not going to bite you! Talk to them and treat them the same way you would if they were white (or whatever color you are). I want to see a mixture of colors when I walk around campus from people of different races/colors mingling with one another.
ReplyDeleteWow that was long... it's sort of something I am passionate about. I love diversity.
ReplyDelete