Diversity

A frequent use of diversity refers to cultural diversity, the quality of diverse or different cultures, as opposed to a homogenization of cultures. Understanding diversity helps individuals understand and appreciate others for cultural and social differences.  Each individiual brings with them a diverse set of perspectives, work and life experiences, as well as other social and cultural differences. Cultural competency is the ability to effectively interact with people of different backgrounds and cultures. Understanding and accepting this variety requires respect of both self and others who have differing views and practices. Diversity also refers to recognizing, respecting and valuing other aspects of human beings that are not directly influenced by culture. Diversity is any dimension that can be used to differentiate groups and people from one another. Visible diversity is the attributes or characteristics that are extnernal, however diversity goes beyond what can be visibally seen to include characteristics that are defined as invisible. 

Social identities reflect how we see ourselves and how others see us with respect to major social categories. Their meanings are not fixed but take shape in particular social contexts. They are sometimes obvious and clear, sometimes not obvious and unclear, often self-claimed and frequently ascribed by others. In other words, our social identity groups may sometimes be visible and obvious to others, and it may sometimes be less obvious or visible to others. They are also something that we create together as a society. I may claim specific language around my identities, and others may look at me and ascribe their own language on to me. When that language aligns, it can feel really validating, but when that language doesn’t align, it can feel invalidating. 

Personal identity refers to the unique ways that people define themselves as individuals (the “I”). Personal Identity markers are often the things we choose to define us throughout our lives - team affiliation, musical tastes, style.

Social identity refers to people's self-categorizations in relation to their group memberships (the “we”). These categorizations are often assigned to us or something we are born into.

Examples of social identity include: race, ethnicity, gender, sex, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, age, religion/religious beliefs, national origin, and emotional, developmental disabilities and abilities.

Equal rights and social justice are key aspects of diversity; however, they're not the only aspects.

Distinctions

Humanity - all humans are members of the same group (the human species), Diversity - all humans are members of different groups and Individuality - all humans are unique individuals who differ from other members of any group to which they may belong. It's important to keep in mind that the differences among individuals within groups are greater than the average differences between groups. 

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