What Does Diversity Mean to You?
On the human level, diversity is the acceptance of and respect for people’s differences. Diversity acknowledges the different cultures, races and the natural environment, and an understanding of diversity can aid in reducing racism and other intolerances.
Diversity encompasses all the different elements of the human races, such as ethnicity, gender, nationality, gender identity and status, as well as citizenship, religion, age, ability and socio-economic status. It is important to understand the differences between people without trying to predict their choices, responses or values based on those differences.
In order to understand diversity, people should recognize and appreciate their different dynamics, social identities and the different cultural options that make everyone different. When understanding diversity, people should not overlook all the similarities that humans have. By having an understanding of the similar beliefs, ideas and interests, people can cooperate and work together to overcome many of the social and economic challenges each group faces, such as sexism, racism and other forms of bigotry and prejudice.
People can value diversity by having an understanding as to how overlapping and different identities relate to the socialization of a society. Diversity helps to enhance the emotional, moral and economic life of a community, allowing that community to live together and work together as one.
