Cultural Diversity

Write a 1,400- to 1,750-word paper that answers the following questions:

What information about diversity in the United States has helped you better understand or relate to others in ways that you may not have in the past? * The United States is a melting pot of many cultures, races and ethnicities. I have learned that each group has differences and many similarities. With these differences they have taught me to be tolerant and accepting of them. By embracing the differences through our diverse society, I have learned new concepts of living, new ways to think, and have been introduced to a variety of foods that I have enjoyed. It seems in the end many of the groups that are so different have a common interest which is to love and be happy. It would be beneficial to our society if we would focus on the main interest of all, rather than focusing on how different we are from one another. Focusing on the differences and judging others based on them is something that was done in the past upon realization that closing the opportunity to learn about other cultures was hindering me in life. *
Have you learned something new about your own racial, ethnic, or cultural history? *
The African American history is something that is widely and often discussed. Recently I have learned that all African Americans were not brought over to the United States from Africa to be slaves. Some were actually immigrants that came from the Caribbean’s and other islands. (Macionis 2012) “Roughly 1 million free persons of color lived in the North and the South, most farming small parcels of farmland, working at skilled jobs in cities, or operating small businesses.” This explains how many African American are *
Trends in immigration will continue to shape the demographics of the United States. What will the U.S. population look like in the year 2050? Why do you think ? * By 2050 United States will be a non-white or majority “minority” society. Increase in interracial marriages and birth of multiracial children will only continue in the years to come. Interracial relationships are growing o be widely accepted. * *
What challenges does the United States face due to the diversity of its people? * Racism and discrimination will always be a challenge in the United States. There have been laws passed for equal rights and opportunities but discrimination is difficult for some to prove. In the future many cultures will mix together making it also difficult to have any pure race, which is already seen today. This doesn’t mean that racism will disappear; it merely means it will enter into a phase. *
What are the benefits of such a diverse society? * Having a diverse society educates us to other cultures and different way of life. There are so many possible way to think and live and being exposed to other cultures opens our minds to endless possibilities. Being in a diverse society shows us that what we have known is not all that there is to life. There are other beliefs. Some may choose to remain closed to the idea of new ideas while others embrace the opportunities that the new ideas and ways to life bring in a diverse society. *
How can we foster a climate of acceptance and cultural pluralism in the United States? *
In what ways does the media perpetuate stereotyping and prejudice? Provide examples to support your assertion. *
In what ways does the media help foster appreciation for diversity? Provide examples to support your assertion. *
How might individuals and the United States work together to reduce prejudice and increase appreciation for diversity?

How might you change your own behaviors to be more inclusive and pluralistic?