Diversity Reflection Papers

Register to read the introduction… One of the biggest challenges that we face is discrimination. Most of the discrimination in this country stems from the lack of knowledge many people have of other cultures, races, and religions. Because there is not much time spent on learning about other cultures, people tend to rely on the only examples of that culture that they may have seen, which is usually a stereotype. These stereotypes, although inaccurate most of time, can be pervasive, especially in the media. With images like this being promoted on a consistent basis, it is no wonder that this can lead to prejudice, which continues to be a problem within the United States. For example, when there is a crime or violent act committed by someone of a different race or religious belief, these details tend to be harped upon until people become afraid of that particular race or religion. This was the case in the September 11th terrorist attacks. Because the terrorists happened to be Muslim, there was a lot of backlash against Muslim people or anyone who appeared to have any Muslim affiliation. Although there are challenges that have yet to be overcome, there have been benefits to having such a diverse society also. Some of these benefits include the development of a variety of viewpoints from different cultural perspectives. Different experiences of people in this country can lend to the knowledge base that we have available. It also …show more content…
There are so many changes that have occurred over the past few decades that show that generations are changing and racism is not as pervasive as it once was. It is a great time to start educating the youth about other cultures and beliefs and perhaps even letting them experience those different cultures. In addition to this, adults should attempt to re-educate themselves and explore cultures that they have not been previously exposed to. It can be surprising how many preconceived notions people have about with which they are unfamiliar. By doing this, adults can help instill the right values in their …show more content…
Most often, this is seen in educational television, such as certain news stations, the Discovery channel, and even PBS. Many of these channels broadcast shows that give one a glimpse into the life and culture of people that they would not otherwise experience. There have been many instances in which I had made assumptions about certain cultures and upon watching a documentary learned that my assumptions were far from the truth. Some of the children’s shows that my son watches give a small and simplified sample of what life is like for other children in other cultures. This gives him a chance to ask questions and want to get more information about these