Diversity Worksheet

Diversity Worksheet

Answer each question in 50 to 150 words. Provide citations for all the sources you use.

1. What is diversity? Why is diversity valued?

Diversity, according to “Dictionary.com” (2013) is, “a state or fact of being diverse, difference; unlikeness”. It is also defined by the United States Government, Department of the Interior as “many demographic variables, including, but not limited to, race, religion, color, gender, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, age, education, geographic origin, and skill characteristics.” ("U.S.Department Of The Interior", N.D.). Diversity is in a word variety. It is valued because it provides us with a unique “flavor” in the world. We gain a wide variety of perspective which can lead to great cultural richness, and enhance all aspects of our community.

2. What is ethnocentrism? In what ways can ethnocentrism be detrimental to a society?

Ethnocentrism is an attitude that one group, or one’s own group, is superior to all other groups. It is typically rooted in racism and prejudice and is generally a negative side of behavior in society. Ethnocentrism can be detrimental to society because in the most extreme cases it can cause war and genocide. Two examples of such extremes are World War II when the Nazi’s and Adolph Hitler attempted to exterminate the Jewish people in concentration camps, and most recently in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Bosnian Serbs targeted Bosnian Muslims and Croatian civilians resulting in over 100,000 deaths. ("History,com", 1996-2013).

3. Define emigration and immigration.

Emigration is leaving one country and settling in another. Immigration is coming into the new country. (Richard T. Shaefer, 2012). There are numerous examples of this throughout history, however one group I would like to use to demonstrate is the Irish. The Irish people emigrated from Ireland because of famine and hardship and immigrated into the United States during the 1800’s. Between 1820 and 1880, nearly 3.5 million Irish entered the U.S. ("Thinkquest.org", n.d.).

4. What are some of the ways groups of people are identified?

Some of the ways groups of people are identified are by race, ethnicity, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. A racial group is one set aside for obvious physical differences. These differences may be skin color or unique cultural differences. (Richard T. Shaefer, 2012). African Americans, Chinese, Japanese, Hispanic, and Native Americans are examples of racial groups. An ethnic group is based more on the national origin of the group or the unique cultural significance. Religion, gender, and sexual orientation are realtively obvious and should require no further explaination.

5. Why do people label and group other people?

People label and group others in order to attempt to set themselves above and rule over other groups. Pure race no longer exists on this planet, so the term race merely exists to benefit those that are trying to oppress others. We label and group others to make ourselves feel safer, more secure, and better about our selves and our own station in life.

6. Define culture. Is culture limited to racial and ethnic backgrounds? Explain.

Culture is a set of customs, beliefs, and attitudes associated with a particular group or a particular time or place. (Merium-Webser, online). Culture is the language, beliefs, customs, rituals, ceremonies, and symbols that enables us as human beings to adapt to our environment. Culture is not limited to racial and ethnic backgrounds as it is shaped by echological, economic, political, religious, and other factors that effect a society. Culture can also be a regional condition and effect a variety of ethnic and racial groups equally. For example a company may have a Corporate Culture, areas of the U.S. like the south can have a Southern Culture, and there is even the idea of Pop or Popular Culture.