Cultural Diversity

1
Cultural Diversity

• Todays college campuses reflect the diversity of
  the U.S. population, but are you aware how
  diverse the U.S. is? And why thats a reason to
  celebrate?

2
Race, Ethnic Groups and Culture

• Race generally refers to a group with similar
  inherited features.
• Ethnic group refers to a group that shares
  language, national origin or religious tradition.
  
• Culture refers to the behaviors and beliefs
  characteristic shared by a group of people. The
  ideas and behaviors of an ethnic group, for
  example, are part of their culture.

3
The Changing U.S. Population

• According to the Census Bureau, the U.S. is the
  only nation in the world where virtually every
  group represented has its origin in another
  country.

e pluribus unum
one out of many
4
A Century of Change

• Total U.S. Population, 2000, by race

5
What does the future hold for you, me, us?

• If the current rate of growth continues, the
  groups that make up a minority of the current
  population will make up 50 of the U.S.
  population by 2030.
• If you live in or near an urban center, chances
  are that your community is already more diverse
  than you may think. In small communities it may
  be less so.

6
Appreciating Diversity
Diversity is the reason that Americas language,
food, fashion, music, business, and
accomplishments are as rich and varied as they
are!

• Yet
• Even in college, people often tend to seek out
  other people like themselves
• College is a tremendous opportunity to meet
  people unlike yourself!
• Seek out student groups, volunteer opportunities,
  and organizations that help meet new people.
• Research shows that students benefit from
  positive relations with other students of
  different racial and ethnic backgrounds.

7
Broaden Your Diversity Vista
We're all in this together, people!

• Make all people and groups feel welcome,
  including those with differences in sexual
  orientation, age or ability.

8
Being Mindful of Others

• Respect culture and diversity
• Understand gender issues
• Respect sexual orientation
• Improve your relationships with diverse others
• Different isnt bad, its just different

9
Diversity on Campus

• College campuses are among Americas most diverse
  settings, including both students and faculty.
• Despite opportunities to mix, people often
  associate with their own kind.
• Our fear of the unknown may keep us close to
  those whose background we share.
• This prevents us from taking advantage of the
  rich opportunities on campus to meet and learn
  about people who are different from us.

10
Discrimination and Prejudice on College Campuses

• In addition to being morally and personally
  repugnant, discrimination is also ILLEGAL.

• Respect tolerance, on the other hand, are
  highly encouraged!

11
Ethnicity, Stereotypes, and Prejudice on Campus

• Many of us sincerely think that we are not
  prejudiced, but experts believe that every person
  harbors some prejudices.
• Stereotypes lead us to view others in limited and
  limiting ways. There is so more to people than
  the social roles they play, or the groups to
  which they belong.
• We tend to identify with others who are like us,
  and fear people who are different from us.
• We tend to be ethnocentricfavoring groups we
  belong to and tending to think of them as
  superior.
• Some of us are also egocentric thinking we are
  superior to everyone else.

Better to be "just one of the gang!"
12
Diversity Attitude ScaleWhere are you?

• Celebration
• We need each other.
• Affirmation
• Ive got something to learn from you.
• Civility
• I respect your rights.
• Tolerance
• You have a right to be here.
• Intolerance
• Ill work to keep you out

?
13
International Students

• Most colleges have students from a wide range of
  countries.
• They bring customs, values, and behaviors that
  may be different from those of American students.
• If you are an American-born student, consider
  getting to know one or more international
  students it will expand your education.
• If you are an international student, adapting to
  college in America may bring some confusion and
  problems for help, read your text and ask your
  instructor.

14
Dont Put Up with Sexual Harassment

• It is estimated that two million women currently
  enrolled in college will experience some form of
  sexual harassment in their student lives.
• Sexual harassment includes several behaviors.
• Gender harassment - sexist remarks and behavior
  that insult and degrade women, a problem apart
  from harassment for sex.
• Seductive behavior - unwanted, inappropriate, and
  offensive advances.
• Sexual bribery - harassment for sex, with the
  threat of punishment for refusal.
• Every college is required by law to take action
  against sexual harassment.

15
Homosexuality and Bisexuality

• A recent figure estimates that about 25 of
  people are homosexual, and about 1 are bisexual.
• Sexual orientation is not necessarily a fixed
  decision that is made once in lifeforever.
• People sometimes experiment with homosexual
  behavior in adolescence, but not as an adult.
• In most ways the college goals of homosexual and
  bisexual students are no different from those of
  heterosexual students.
• These students do have some difficulties due to
  their minority status.

16
Improving the Lives of Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual
College Students

• Many campuses have organizations for students who
  are gay, lesbian, or bisexual. They not only
  involve the students, but their friends and
  families as well.
• If your campus does not have an organization
  consider starting one. Check with your student
  activities office for correct procedures.
• Many good books exist that have been written for
  and by homosexual and bisexual people, covering
  many practical issues.
• Be tolerant of the sexual orientation of others.
  Take a course on human sexuality to learn more.

Live and let live!
17
Improve Your Relationships with Different Kinds
of People

• Honestly assess your attitudes
• Put yourself in perspective with others
• Seek personal contact
• Respect differences but dont overlook
  similarities
• Search for more knowledge
• Treat people as individuals rather than
  stereotyping them
• Include, dont exclude

Don't forget we're all in this together...
18
Whats the Difference? Activity 9.2

• Find a partner in class. You will have five
  minutes to begin listing all the ways in which
  you differ from your partner height, gender, eye
  color, hometown, etc.
• A prize will be awarded to the pair that comes up
  with the longest list at the end of five minutes.

19
Diversity Fishbowl Activity 9.1

• We will identify some of the differences that
  exist between groups of students male vs.
  female, left-handed vs. right-handed, tall vs.
  short, thin vs. heavy, in-state vs. out-of state,
  residential vs. commuter, straight-A vs. at-risk,
  religious vs. non-religious, gay vs. straight,
  White vs. African-American, etc.
• For each set of features, we will divide into the
  groups we associate with. The minority group
  will form an inner circle and the majority will
  form an outer circle. The inside group should
  discuss their experiences as a minority group,
  and the outer circle should discuss their
  experiences with the minority group. At this
  point, no communication will take place between
  the groups.
• We will debrief after each separation.