The Significance of Diversity Consciousness in Society - Essay Example

Final Project The study intends to evaluate the significance of diversity consciousness in the society. The awareness of diversity, its understanding and skills are evaluated to encourage acceptance of diversity. The objective of the study is to appreciate the perceptions and values of the people of different cultures. The acceptance of the diversity in the nation would make the world a better place with diverse people living together cohesively. Personal Growth Diversity consciousness is the recognition of the fact that society is becoming diverse in nature. Awareness regarding diversity and its impact on the people is one of the interesting facts to know when people from different backgrounds come together. The reason for taking up the diversity consciousness course was to acquire more knowledge about diverse cultures. The topic diversity attracts me or influences me a lot as I belong to the East African originating from Ethiopia and reside in the United States. The cultural differences, the approach and the differences in value helped me to understand and focus on personal growth by staying in between the people of diverse culture (Azcentral, 2013). The diversity course has influenced my mindset and my behavior towards the people of different cultures. I have now started to identify and respect the people of different cultures. The course is helping me in understanding the values of the diverse culture, religion and the behavior. Moreover, the awareness regarding diversity has helped me in understanding the fact that people are different and their attitudes and ideas should be respected. The awareness assists me in appreciating the fact that individuals of different places are “not like us” and hence have learnt to respect the differences instead of complaining. The diversity awareness has helped me in understanding my peers better, improve my communication and avoid the level of confusion. The prominent reason for the conflicts is differences hence the awareness regarding diversity helps in avoiding the conflicts faced, usually when we are new to the country (McLauren, 2009; The Pennsylvania State University.). The understanding of the diversity in the culture and communication has affected my thought process to a great extent. The differences of cultures have made me more tolerant and allowed me to respect the diverse cultures and their differences in opinion. The understanding of the differences has helped me in understanding the uniqueness of the person. Before identifying the importance of diversity, I thought the USA to be a “melting pot” with people of various cultures and differences living together. Now, after understanding a proper learning about the concept of diversity, I have a different outlook towards America that it is like a “tossed salad” with various people of different cultures giving shape and flavor. The understanding of diversity helps in enriching our lives as we start appreciating the differences. Understanding the differences assists individuals to gain new perceptions and outlooks. The diversified group with understanding has a competitive edge over others. Similarly, people with greater understanding of the behavior and culture have better view towards life (USCG Auxiliary National Diversity Department, n.d.). The diversity skill is important to be able to communicate the opinion in a better manner. After the study of the diversity consciousness, I have become more confident and have gained knowledge about the gestures and the way communication should be done with people of different cultures. I have changed my behavior according to the people of America to understand their opinion and get respect for my ideas and values from their people. I have done many self-evaluations which is an important diversity skill. The diversity skill helped me in enriching personal, interpersonal skills and valuing the perception of different people. The skill diversity has helped me to work in a group and gain respect from the people of various cultures (Pearson Highered, 2008). In order to be a more diversity conscious individual, I need to respect the diverse cultures and understand the differences of opinion. I need to improve my communication skills by understanding the behavior of the people. The eagerness to know more about various cultures, interacting with people and understanding their perceptions would assist me in becoming more conscious towards diversity (Pearson Highered, 2008). Diversity Benefits Valuing diversity signifies to value the differences of perception and ideas of the people. Valuing diversity would have various benefits for the society and on personal fronts. The benefits of diversity would be the increase in number of innovations and creative ideas. This would also improve the ability to communicate and share ideas and augment the acceptance in the global arena. Valuing diversity would also facilitate people to appreciate the different needs and wants of the people of different cultures. Moreover, the diversity benefits us as we become capable of understanding the multiple perspectives of the people and take the best without biasness (Honey, 2005). The acceptance and valuing of diversity would aid in the economic growth of a country and resolve issues based on racism and cultural diversity. For instance, valuing diversity can help people to give importance and acceptance to the women of minority culture and appreciate their initiative as an entrepreneur. To demonstrate, it was reported that the minority women operated 1.9 million firms in the US and employed 1.2 million people along with generating revenue of US$165 billion in 2006. This helped in the growth of the country by valuing the diverse cultures and their opinion (Morgan, 2013). Additionally, valuing diversity would assist in increasing creativity and productivity. For example, in the university I being from a different origin my ideas will be given importance and would add value to increase productivity and creativity. My culture and perception being different from others would make the natives value my thought process (Morgan, 2013). The benefit of valuing cultural and ethnic diversity would bring quality of life. Valuing diversity would also assist in making people more sensitive and respect differences of opinion (Bucher, 2009). Diversity Communication Communication plays an important role in making people aware of the diverse cultures. The communication by an individual creates an impression about the culture a person belongs to. The diversity awareness is meant to have knowledge about the differences of the culture. The way we communicate exhibits a lot about the culture and the outlook. The language, the nonverbal signs, meaning of words, importance of time and space are few aspects of communication which create the awareness regarding different cultures. The appreciation of the culture by understanding the importance of diversity would make the world coherent and complete. Our culture influences the way we think and affects our way of communication as a receiver and sender of the messages. For example, speaking loudly might not be acceptable in every culture, the awareness of diversity would help to eradicate misconception about the attitude and accept the attitude gently. The cultural competency creates a gratitude for different cultures which affects communication. The diversity awareness creates an attitude to adjust with the style of communication of the person across cultural boundaries for success. Communications helps in communicating the values, symbols and behavioral norms in an acceptable manner. Thus, understanding and valuing the difference of culture through communication such as gestures help in increasing the productivity and innovation of ideas. Diverse people with various thoughts and communication traits affect the world in building cohesiveness among them (Pekeur & Bayat, 2012). By evolving diversity consciousness, in communication skills, we become alert of the messages we are conveying and receiving. This will help to empower and enhance our lives in the diverse culture (Skupien, n.d.). The development of interpersonal skills will help to create a trust and quality of speech between the individuals. The humbleness and the gesture would make the communication smooth and effective between the people of two different cultures. The gesture and the effective communication would avoid the chances of misinterpretation and make work productive. Communication is effective when people accept the differences in culture without being partial (Adams, 2013). Diversity Goals The diversity goal for future is to have a world with no racial discrimination and equal opportunity for every individual. The future goal is to have nondiscrimination in the workplace, colleges and within the community. Acceptance of the creative ideas and views of the people of different cultures along with making countries multicultural would a key diversity goal. This would facilitate people to reduce the feeling of being avoided and isolated owing to cultural differences. The awareness regarding diversity should be created among every individual for the growth of the individuals and the economy. Acceptance of people of different race and ethics in every aspect of the world is the prime diversity goal perceived by me. No differences in opinion and behavior will be displayed on the basis of color and due to demographics. People from different culture will be given equal opportunity and acceptance in the society. The goal of diversity is to make the people more open minded towards the acceptance of different cultures. Moreover, it would focus on admiring the benefits of different values and behaviors to people (Azcentral, 2013). Diversity Actions Development of diversity action is a necessary step to create an environment for valuing diversity. Diversity involves differences of opinion, perception along with issues regarding equal opportunity. To meet the goals for diversity in future, the action plan to be implemented is to introduce the concept of diversity management through training. The training would aid the people to appreciate the differences of background and to value their inputs. The concept of management diversity would make the people realize the importance of creativity through the opinions of different people in a workplace. The training would be done to educate the people about the diverse cultures and their importance. People would be made to respect the racial and cultural aspects of the people. This will help the people to value the diverse culture as differences in opinion would help them in becoming a great human being and bring cohesiveness in the workplace. The government should also take steps to implement policies, rules and regulations against discrimination and racism. The government should pass acts such as the Human Relations Act which would provide equal opportunities to the people of different cultures in every part of the world. This Act would help to create awareness and make the people value the cultural differences. Law providing equal opportunity to the people of minority and making them feel a part of the nation would assist in achieving the goal of acceptance of diversity. The implication of rules and regulations will have a global impact on people as the law would benefit every human being who is being deprived from availing their rights. Moreover, people would take steps in avoiding such discrimination and value the diverse cultures of the people, to make the world a better place to live in (Pearn Kandola, 2007). The local communities and the people of the society can also take initiates like providing help, amenities to the people of diverse culture and make them feel equal. Providing healthcare, educational benefits to the minority and deprived people of different culture by the society would also enable to full the diversity goal. This would help people to be a part of the community and not isolated. The local community must make every individual aware of their responsibility towards one another without being bias about the differences in culture. To honor the commitments of making the world a multicultural place with no discrimination, the key resource required is the help and support from government. Moreover, help from the society, people and creation of awareness regarding the importance of diverse culture can go a long way to ensure overwhelming success. The importance of diversity should be known by every individual to encourage innovation and creativity in the world (Honey, 2005). References Azcentral. (2013). What Is Diversity Consciousness? Retrieved from http://yourbusiness.azcentral.com/diversity-consciousness-7059.html Adams, M. (2013). Readings for Diversity and Social Justice. USA: Taylor and Francis. Bucher, R.D. (2009). Diversity Consciousness Opening Our Minds To People Cultures And Opportunities. USA: Prentice Hall. Honey, P. (2005). Valuing Diversity. An Introduction to Valuing Diversity, 1-3. McLauren, D. (2009). Diversity Awareness. What is Diversity Awareness, 1-3. Morgan, S. (2013). What Are the Benefits of Workplace Diversity? Retrieved from http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/benefits-workplace-diversity-5081.html Pearn Kandola. (2007). Equality & Diversity Legislation. University of Durham, 2-34. Pearson Highered. (2008). Diversity: An Overview. Our Changing Cultural Landscape, 1-41. Pekeur, S.W. & Bayat, M.S. (2012). Promoting Diversity Awareness Among Project Managers Working In The South African Public Service. Institute of Interdisciplinary Business Research, 4(3), 790-807. Skupien, D. (n.d.). Communicating In a Diverse World. Retrieved from https://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&cad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CE4QFjAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freewebs.com%2Fdanuta%2FCommunicating%2520in%2520a%2520diverse%2520world.ppt&ei=EMqeUseEL6jtigLX6YHgBQ&usg=AFQjCNGmlIYLZMlh_Twr9W_a7qxKRU9dbg&sig2=o5_y984cFV_cqAy0ow4lNg&bvm=bv.57155469,d.dGI The Pennsylvania State University. (2001). An Overview of Diversity Awareness. College Of Agricultural Sciences, 2-12. USCG Auxiliary National Diversity Department. (n.d.). Understanding Diversity. Retrieved from https://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CC8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhdept.cgaux.org%2Fpdf%2FUnderstandingDiversity.ppt&ei=37OeUoS6HYyPlQWRzoDoCA&usg=AFQjCNEL2u6EHyMgsILH7m4WYASI4XI1CQ&sig2=OFI-NJSt1XAt4KBfAuuepA&bvm=bv.57155469,d.dGI Read More