Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

Oleksiy Lavanstivitch is a white immigrant who is originally from the Ukraine, he speaks Russian, and moved to Canada in his teenage years:  Oleksiy defines culture as different foods, languages, customs, and beliefs. 

Oleksiy’s definition of diversity “is how people are different from you.”  Oleksiy says that “he would base diversity more on race.” 

Erica James is African American and was born and raised in Brooklyn NY.  Erica went to high school at Brooklyn Tech.  Erica said that her school was mostly filled with Asians.  Erica says, “Culture to her is religion, beliefs, food, customs, and ancestry.” 

Erica says that, “diversity is race related to her, people’s skill levels, the way they dress, talk, interact with each other all falls under diversity to her.”

Ebi Lee is an African immigrant from Nigeria.  Ebi moved to the United States in her early 20’s.  Ebi says, “Culture to her is language, foods, and clothing.”

Ebi says, “That diversity to her is how everyone is different even when it comes to people from the same place.”  For example in Nigeria they have people who are from different tribes and they speak different languages, and have many different family customs.

Oleksiy, Ebi, and Erica mentioned many of the examples and answers that were addressed in the resources from this week’s assignment.  I like that Erica brought up ancestry.  A lot of the customs, music, food, clothes, and traditions get passed down from our ancestors.  Ancestry makes me think of artifacts, pictures, and family treasures that are passed down through generation to generation.