Perspectives on Diversity and Culture-Interviews

Shirl Golightly was the first person interviewed and here are her answers: Question: What is your definition of culture? Answer: Culture is your lifestyle, beliefs, race and your religion. Question: What is your definition of diversity? Answer: Diversity is being a part of different things; being flexible in various environments. Zy'ale Clark was the second person interviewed and here are her answers: Question: What is your definition of culture? Answer: I believe culture is who you are (your race, gender, your beliefs), where you come from and how you live your life. Question: What is your definition of diversity? Answer: To me, diversity means thinking outside of the box, accepting others for who they are and embracing their differences. Ananiah Clark was the third person interviewed and here are his answers: Question: What is your definition of culture? Answer: My definition of culture is a pre-determined of beliefs or standards within a race of people based on historical factors. Question: What is your definition of diversity? Answer: Recognizing and accepting the differences in people, religion, things and opinions without pre-judging. Just because you disagree with one's opinion, religion or way of living does not mean you can not respect them for who they are or their lifestyle. In conducting the interviews, I noticed that all three of the people I interviewed included race and religion in their definition of what culture means to them. I did notice that traditions were omitted in all of their answers which is an example of one's deep culture. I found that like many other people, most of the opinions shared was more from a surface culture perspective or knowledge that could be gained without really getting to know someone at a deeper level. I found Ananiah's statement very interesting pertaining to his definition of diversity. I must agree that just because you disagree with one's opinion, religion or way of living does not mean you can not respect them for who they are or their lifestyle. I have learned that just because one's lifestyle may not be patterned the way mine is does not mean they are bad people so, I that should not interfere with my getting to know that person for who they are.