Diversity Reflection Essay Hr5000

Abstract

The following paper outlines my life experiences dealing with diversity. This paper will cover experiences from my childhood to adulthood. I will reflect on how these experiences and my education have shaped my thought process and actions. I will discuss how I have dealt with diversity in the workplace. Finally, I will outline a process to increase my education on diversity.

Diversity Reflection

Reflecting on my past experience has allowed me to see I have not lived as diverse a life as I initially thought. Merriam-Webster defines diversity as “the state of having people who are different races or who have different cultures in a group or organization.” (Diversity: Merriam-Webster, 2014) This paper will reflect on past and present experiences to fully understand whether I have led a diverse life. This reflection will allow me to create an individual plan of action on how I will develop into a more diverse leader and person.

Growing up I moved around quite a bit. By the time I was 12 I had lived in four different states and attended 5 different elementary schools. I like to think that, during these early years, I was exposed to different cultures and groups. I played multiple sports that were coed and interracially mixed. I attended schools that were located in diverse neighborhoods. I also diversified my friendships by having friends that were from different races, cultures, and religions. Having had these experiences early on in my life set the stage for acceptance of people that were different from me. My parents taught me from an early age to accept people for who they are, not the color of their skin or the religion they practice. Now as I reflect back, I understand that the basic building blocks for exploring diverse relationships were taught to me early on.

Up to this point in my life I have never studied the differences between what truly sets human beings apart from one another. I have read articles and been part of casual...