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Diversity_Final.mp4
One way that educators can incorporate diversity is through their classroom libraries. Edutopia shared this perspective from a teacher: "Strive to create a classroom library that includes many books that represent all the shades of us. Also make sure to keep them front and center throughout the year. Please do not take them out in February as guests. These books need to be considered family."
Diversity is variety - the variety that exists within humanity and the world around us. In North America, the word “diversity” is strongly associated with racial and cultural diversity. However, that is just one dimension of the human reality. Each and every one of the 7.8 billion people that populate the earth is unique in his/her own way. We differ in gender, language, abilities, social roles, education, identity, physical attributes, religious beliefs and ethics just to name a few. Diversity is what makes life more beautiful. Simply observe nature around you for evidence of how satisfying and fulfilling diversity can be.
Sociologist, Dr. Caleb Rosado, who specializes in diversity, notes seven important actions involved in cultivating a healthy community:
1. Recognition of the abundant diversity
2. Respect for differences
3. Acknowledgement of the validity of different expressions, experiences and contributions
4. Valuing what others offer
5. Encouraging the contribution of diverse groups
6. Empowering others to cultivate their own self-esteem
7. Celebrating rather than just tolerating differences
How does diversity benefit individuals? The AMP Global Youth Organization notes the following 5 important benefits:
1. Productivity: Bringing people together of various backgrounds with different life experiences can generate ideas/perspectives that others may not have ever considered or been aware of.
2. Becoming a World Citizen: You will learn skills to communicate and interact with communities and concepts that you are unfamiliar with and gain a more worldly view. This will prepare you to be part of a global society.
3. Perspective: Hearing about another's experience can shed light on a life different than your own and provide you with a new viewpoint.
4. Growing Acceptance, Diminishing Discrimination: Promoting diversity is the first step to not just "tolerance," but true acceptance.
5. Richer Life Experience: Diversity is colorful! New ideas, views and practices stimulate and inspire.
Dr. Rosado sums it up nicely this way: "Learning about others helps us understand different perspectives within the world in which we live. It helps dispel negative stereotypes and personal biases about different groups. In addition...it helps us recognize and respect ways of being that are not necessarily our own. So that as we interact with others we can build bridges to trust, respect, and understanding across cultures."
Lead With Love
Lead With Love
Click on the picture to the left to consider: What Stories Do We Tell Ourselves About Others? Listen to Chimamanda Adichie speak to the danger of telling a single story. Do you tell a single story of others?
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