Jacklyn Lawvere

IVYT 111 32F

Professor Cain
9/22/15
Diversity Reflection Journal
According to Websters Dictionary diversity is the quality or state of having many
different forms, types, ideas, etc. and the state of having people who are different races or who
have different cultures in a group or organization (Meriam Webster dictionary). Every time that I
think of diversity I immediately think of a very cheesy preschool-like picture, people of all
different color, cultures, and races holding hands around a globe. Why should I treat someone a
specific way just because they are different?
My grandmother, and her side of the family is from Germany so I have always been
extremely open to other cultures and races. I was, and still am, tremendously interested in
learning about different countries, people, and cultures. I would say that I have an immensely
diverse heart and mind. I always keep in mind Jimmy Carters quote We become not a melting
pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different
hopes, different dreams. (Carter). I do understand that every single person I meet will not agree
with my ideas on diversity and we will not get along. I also hope that how I view diversity shows
people that I am not narrow minded and as long as they treat me with respect I will do the same.
My thoughts towards diversity havent changed since the class discussion, it is more like the
discussion has helped me make my thoughts more concrete.

In the narrow minded world we live in now it is devastating to see how people treat
others because of their race, sexual orientation, and where they are from. I have seen how so
many people are afraid to show who they really are and show their differences just because of
what their friends, family, and even society will say. We should appreciate each others
differences. If we lived in a world with no difference we would all be the same, which sounds
pretty boring if you ask me. It is important to teach our children how important diversity is and
to incorporate it into our lives. Our children cannot grow up thinking every one is the same and
that there are no other races, religions, ideas, or cultures, because that is incorrect everywhere we
look there are differences. If a child grows up to be narrow minded what will they do in life?
When they go to make friends there will be several differences between them. Even when the
child watches TV they are going to experience some type of diversity.
I value diversity and how it brings society together, however I hate how it also tears
society to bits and pieces. How can we be so supportive of each other and so eager to knock
down one another? Diversity is a significant piece of life, and we are not able to live without it
so many people fail to realize this. We are, at almost every point of our day, immersed in
cultural diversity: faces, clothes, smells, attitudes, values, traditions, behaviours, beliefs, rituals.
(Abdel-Fattah)

Works Cited

"Randa Abdel-Fattah." BrainyQuote.com. Xplore Inc, 2015. 22 September 2015.

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/r/randaabdel527710.html
"Jimmy Carter." BrainyQuote.com. Xplore Inc, 2015. 22 September 2015.

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/jimmycarte158449.html
"diversity." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, 2015. Web. 22 September 2015.