2. Personal Development According to their Core Value of
Personal Development, Saint Leo University stresses the development
of every persons mind, spirit, and body for a balanced life. All
members of the Saint Leo University community must demonstrate
their commitment to personal development to help strengthen the
character of our community. (Core Value of Personal Development,
2013). Having a sense of self as well as a strong cultural
understanding enhances the character of individuals, and when
properly instilled, it broadens the understanding of a society. If
we were to look at ourselves, the aspects of usour motivations, our
physical characteristics, our beliefs, etc.how would we define who
we are? If we were to disaggregate the information about our
cultural identity, what would be left? The answer is nothing. Our
culture is an amalgam of all the traits, both minute and paramount,
which shape who we are.
3. How do I identify?
4. How has my cultural identity impacted my learning? Being
raised in a small community, I was accustomed to the homogenously
white, southern Baptist lifestyle. With a relatively low minority
population, I was the child who was constantly drawn to the
exceptional. Among my friends growing up were a Hindu from
Bangladesh and a Puerto Rican. My fixation on other cultures
carried over into my teens, and has continued as an adult. Sadly,
few instances arise in my memory in which our teachers created
opportunities to celebrate cultural diversity. As a teacher at my
childhood elementary school, I now consider many former teachers to
be my colleagues. Our student population remains largely unchanged,
but I have noticed more diversity. I am encouraged not only by
this, but also at how well our teachers and staff have helped these
students assimilate to our culture without losing that sense of
self. They are often given opportunities to share about their
culture, and even to correct some cultural misconceptions. Although
we have a long way to go culturally, this is a positive trend that
I hope will continue.
5. How does culture define us? Culture is often compared to an
iceberg. Like the tip of an iceberg, visible aspects of culture
such as behavior, eating habits, or clothing are easy to see. Under
the surface, however, hides a huge and potentially fatal portion
made up of beliefs, values, customs, experiences and assumptions.
Knowledge of the deeper parts of the iceberg helps us understand
the why behind the behavior. It enables us to make more informed
evaluations of global counterparts and avoid misunderstandings that
can waste time and damage relationships. (Davey, 2014).
6. Culture is often erroneously connected to surface
attributes: skin color language dress cuisine holidays However,
culture has greater, more far-reaching implications which many
ignore: response to crises worship morality authoritarian
views
7. Beginning Multicultural Education Before students can begin
to understand other cultures, they must first have familiarity with
their own. 1. Take field trips to local institutions, such as a
historical society or park, which reflect regional culture. 2. Have
students research and/or create their family tree. 3. Students can
write a report about their personal lineage. 4. Have parents/local
leaders come to the classroom and share personal/local history.
Allowing students to establish a sense of self will open the door
for them to accept other cultures in the future.
8. Continuing Multicultural Education Once students are aware
of their own self, it is imperative that they are instilled with a
greater acceptance for diversity. 1. Display maps for a variety of
countries. 2. Study other cultures, and enjoy their cuisine at
parties. 3. Allow opportunities for students to openly discuss
their cultures. 4. Read to students and provide them with
literature which expands their understanding of cultural diversity.
When students are surrounded by diversity, it broadens their
tolerance for differences and exceptionalities, paving the way for
a brighter tomorrow. Multicultural Learning is learning that
integrates and explores the rich tapestry of perspectives reflected
in our diverse world. (Chomsky, 2008).
9. Perpetuating a Legacy of Multiculturalism We become not a
melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different
beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams.
-Jimmy Carter Creating an environment of cultural tolerance.
10. References Saint Leo University. (2013). Core value of
personal development. Retrieved from
http://www.saintleo.edu/about/florida-catholic university.aspx
Davey, A.D. (2014). Across cultures: The meaning of culture.
Retrieved from http://www.acrosscultures.info
/meaning-of-culture.html Chomsky, C. (2008). What is multicultural
learning? Retrieved from
http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/teachlearn/resources
/multicultural/whatis/index.html Jenaguilar3. 2012, August 29.
Multicultural education. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch ?v=RPgMVQZ2RNY