Monday, September 10, 2012
Valuing Diversity
I think it is difficult for a lot of people to value diversity. Everyone in this class is part of a country, a city, and a school that is rich with cultural diversity, but there are factors that can make it hard for people to appreciate the melting pot of people. One obstacle that the book highlights is assumptions/stereotypes. As the book alludes to, we often judge and categorize an entire group of unfamiliar people based on just a few people that we know from that group. I think groups can learn to value diversity more by getting to know the people in their group. When members of different groups come together and form one diverse group, getting to know each member of the group can make things feel more personal and, to paraphrase the book, see each person as an individual with unique skills and perspectives rather than a representative of an entire group or culture.
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It would be really fun if everybody admitted to a time when they have pre judged someone or stereotyped a group. We have all done it and we have a hard tim even admitting it to ourselves. I'll tell you about the last time I did it. I was watching a comedian named Kevin Hart who is black) an I thought he was ok. The next day at work I asked my co- worker (who is also black) if she liked Kevin Hart. So stupid. I just assumed that she listened to any black comedian there was. WHy didn't I ask anyone else about Kevin Hart? because I didn't really think he was al that great. When I mentioned it to her, I was just hoping she and I would have something to talk about. Maybe I should have just asked her who her favorite comedian were instead.
ReplyDelete^ I agree with Blanch, everyone is guilty of being racist. Its the pride that each one of us has for our ethnicity that loves to joke about others. But for me, I have no negative intentions for it. And when i get insulted about something funny and asian, I cant help but laugh too. Stereotypes can only be a bad thing, when a person takes them to severe means. hahah and i think its funny how you mention kevin hart out of no where. yeah thats pretty random, but for me i wouldnt take it offensively. It depends on the person and how they feel about stereotypes.
ReplyDeleteHey there Burgs!
ReplyDeleteI like how you included the “melting pot” metaphor into your post this week because it is so true. It is hard to value it when it seems as if a lot of people fit into the norm of society. I think often we do not value diversity because we are caught up in our values and thoughts. Maybe it is in our selfish nature to not accept other people’s ideas. I believe that people can appreciate diversity more if they are just more open to the idea of it, liking getting to know people or just including people in the group. Anyways, good posts this week!
Hey Burgs, great post!
ReplyDeleteI was not aware of racism in day-to-day life back in India. I had just heard and read about the discrimination of British against Indians. In comparison we encounter racism more in the US because the society is so diverse. As you said in America, theoretically how much ever we speak about living in an open society and diverse University culture at SJSU there is an undercurrent racism factor everywhere. Over here Asians are stereotyped as bookworms, nerds and African Americans are seen as dangerous, and notorious no matter how playful Asians are or how sincere Africa Americans are. Similarly white men are seen as the highest living authority no matter how bad they are with their deeds. With the same reference, I like the aspect of whiteness, where white people think about ways of redemption to all the discrimination they count themselves responsible for.