Post by MultipleMinds on Nov 18, 2013 20:55:35 GMT -5
We live in a diverse society, or one that includes people f many different races, cultures, belies and physical and mental characteristics. Learning about diversity can help you be open-minded, fair, respectful of others' rights ad feelings, and aware of others' similarities and differences. Learning about diversity helps everyone! You will be better prepared for life in a changing world, a world where people of different races, cultures and backgrounds learn, work, and live together, as well as preparing for different nations that will be closely linked by new technology and trade. Others benefit as well. They may develop a stronger friendship with you, or feel more positive about all people.
Even young children notice differences in gender, skin color, physical appearance, ect, and begin forming opinions. Be careful of the harmful causes caused by stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination. Let’s break that down.
Stereotyping is assuming all in a group are the same. Stereotyping things or ideas is how we make sense of the world. An example of a stereotype is: “That bee stung me, so all bees want to sting me.” When we stereotype people, we can’t see them as an individual like they should be seen as.
Prejudice is using stereotypes to judge others as good or bad, nice or mean, smart or dumb, ect, before getting to know them. An example of prejudice is: “That bird is stupid because it’s blue.” We were are prejudice against people, it can hurt others feelings.
Discrimination is ignoring, avoiding, excluding, or even attacking people just because they are different from you. An example of this is: “Sally avoided Jace because he was a boy, and all boys were stupid.”
Everyone has likes and dislikes, and that’s okay. As we get to know a person, it’s natural to form opinions about him or her. What’s NOT okay is when we like or dislike people just because of their color, accent, ethnic heritage, social class, disability, religion, gender, ect. A healthy self esteem allows us to better respect one another. People with poor self esteem are more likely to be prejudiced. They may put down others to feel better about themselves. Feeling good about yourself and your background is not the same as feeling superior to others.
We should all enjoy a diverse life. Consider all the diversity around you on a day to day bases, such as toys, games, music, books, TV, newspaper, magazines, foods, ect.
We all have to watch what we say. Friends, family, and other people my follow in your example. Be sure to examine your own prejudices, and work to overcome them. No one is completely without prejudice. For example, some people wrongly assume that homeless people did something to deserve it, or that well-dressed people are smarter than poorly dressed people. Remember to think before you speak. Do you have to point out a person’s religion, race, gender, ect? For example, could you rather say ‘the bus driver’ rather than ‘the lady bus driver’? Put the person first when you mention differences. This helps keep the focus on the individual. For example say ‘the singer who is blind’ rather than ‘the blind singer’. Avoid ethnic, racial, and sexist humor, even it it’s about your own race, gender, or ethnic heritage. It only encourages more of the same. Avoid general statements, such as, ‘old people can be like that’. General statements can lead to stereotypes. Think about other messages you may unknowingly send to people around you. For example, do you lock your doors only when you drive through certain neighborhoods? Does your body become tense when you’re near people from another group? Examine your work and social life. For example, do you welcome relationships with people different than you? Do you invite them to your home?
Sooo….
Open the world of diversity to yourself. Help yourself develop a healthy self esteem. Celebrate your heritage. Teach respect for all people and their differences. Be a powerful example for others. Diversity is all around us. It’s something we should embrace rather than reject.
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Even young children notice differences in gender, skin color, physical appearance, ect, and begin forming opinions. Be careful of the harmful causes caused by stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination. Let’s break that down.
Stereotyping is assuming all in a group are the same. Stereotyping things or ideas is how we make sense of the world. An example of a stereotype is: “That bee stung me, so all bees want to sting me.” When we stereotype people, we can’t see them as an individual like they should be seen as.
Prejudice is using stereotypes to judge others as good or bad, nice or mean, smart or dumb, ect, before getting to know them. An example of prejudice is: “That bird is stupid because it’s blue.” We were are prejudice against people, it can hurt others feelings.
Discrimination is ignoring, avoiding, excluding, or even attacking people just because they are different from you. An example of this is: “Sally avoided Jace because he was a boy, and all boys were stupid.”
Everyone has likes and dislikes, and that’s okay. As we get to know a person, it’s natural to form opinions about him or her. What’s NOT okay is when we like or dislike people just because of their color, accent, ethnic heritage, social class, disability, religion, gender, ect. A healthy self esteem allows us to better respect one another. People with poor self esteem are more likely to be prejudiced. They may put down others to feel better about themselves. Feeling good about yourself and your background is not the same as feeling superior to others.
We should all enjoy a diverse life. Consider all the diversity around you on a day to day bases, such as toys, games, music, books, TV, newspaper, magazines, foods, ect.
We all have to watch what we say. Friends, family, and other people my follow in your example. Be sure to examine your own prejudices, and work to overcome them. No one is completely without prejudice. For example, some people wrongly assume that homeless people did something to deserve it, or that well-dressed people are smarter than poorly dressed people. Remember to think before you speak. Do you have to point out a person’s religion, race, gender, ect? For example, could you rather say ‘the bus driver’ rather than ‘the lady bus driver’? Put the person first when you mention differences. This helps keep the focus on the individual. For example say ‘the singer who is blind’ rather than ‘the blind singer’. Avoid ethnic, racial, and sexist humor, even it it’s about your own race, gender, or ethnic heritage. It only encourages more of the same. Avoid general statements, such as, ‘old people can be like that’. General statements can lead to stereotypes. Think about other messages you may unknowingly send to people around you. For example, do you lock your doors only when you drive through certain neighborhoods? Does your body become tense when you’re near people from another group? Examine your work and social life. For example, do you welcome relationships with people different than you? Do you invite them to your home?
Sooo….
Open the world of diversity to yourself. Help yourself develop a healthy self esteem. Celebrate your heritage. Teach respect for all people and their differences. Be a powerful example for others. Diversity is all around us. It’s something we should embrace rather than reject.
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