Soc 315 - Thinking About Diversty and Inclusion

Thinking About Diversity and Inclusion

Cindy Brooks

4/4/2011

SOC/315

Carla Burress

Thinking About Diversity and Inclusion

There are several aspects of cultural diversity; these are age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and physical handicaps. Age can be either for the elderly or for younger individuals. Elderly people are discriminated against because people believe the elderly are slower and useless. In 1968, Robert Butler, the founding director of the National Institute on Aging, created the term ageism to refer to bigotry and prejudice against the elderly (Schaefer, 2011). We fail to remember that the elderly were doing our jobs before we were born and therefore have a sizeable amount of knowledge to reveal to the younger generation. Ironically it seems that younger people are seen as reckless and inexperienced.

I am a forty something white ex-housewife. My family information is based upon the prejudices of the early 1940's as we are of German decent. I have a wide range of friends spanning all diverse groups such as, gay, black, white, older, and, younger and, even from different countries. I believe that knowing a many different varieties of people hands you the opportunity to learn and understand different cultures and all the diverse natures of personalities. My background of fear of retribution because of my ancestry and concealing my ethnic background has opened my eyes to the ugliness of discrimination. Hence I have made it a purpose of my life to be as free and as outspoken as I can be. I do not hide anything about my beliefs or life style and that can at times make me a target for criticism. Every person has something to share or to teach to another and limiting yourself to a specific type of friend you will miss out on some very fascinating people and examples that you can learn from. I am a true disciple in not condemning others for their convictions or l way of life. I don't want people to judge me for my lifestyle so how could I justify judging someone else's lifestyle or beliefs. The majority of people forget this including me. Treat others as you would have them treat you, to follow the golden rule. That is a credo in which I live by to remind myself of acceptance when I do not understand or when I do not believe in the same values.

Diversity embodies a sizeable group of people who have distinct experiences. The differences can include age, culture, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and citizenship. Diversity does not explain how this group of people may cope with the differences. It just describes that they may look, act, or think differently from others. Diversity