Cultural Diversity: Somewhere over the Rainbow

Cultural Diversity:

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Cheryl Smith

HUMN 100

Dr. Geoffrey Batchelder

April 28, 2014

Culture is that which shapes us; it shapes our identity and influences our behavior. Culture is our “way of being,” more specifically, it refers to the shared language, beliefs, values, norms, behaviors, and material objects that are passed down from one generation to the next.

Cultural diversity is generally desired in the United States and should very much be encouraged. Diversity of culture is important because our country, workplaces, and schools increasingly consist of various cultural, racial, and ethnic groups. We can learn from one another, but first we must have a level of understanding about each other in order to facilitate collaboration and cooperation. Learning about other cultures helps us understand different perspectives within the world in which we live, and helps dispel negative stereotypes and personal biases about different groups, which is very important.

There are many ethnic groups in the United States, due in large part to its immigrant population; each of these groups contributes to America’s cultural heritage. From African Americans to Russian Americans, the United States is one of the most diverse nations in terms of culture.

I recall living in New York during the devastating events of 9/11. As the city came together to provide solidarity and comfort to its residents, the country was undergoing a massive transformation in the way Muslims and people with Middle Eastern backgrounds are viewed. The common stereotype in America is that of oil exporters and/or potential terrorists. Muslim men are often viewed as violent and their women as submissive. The media which is at the forefront of creating such negative stereotypes often uses the word Arab (an individual from the Middle East) interchangeably with the word Muslim so much so that Arabs and Muslim Americans are both victims of prejudice and racial profiling in...