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Running head: CULTURAL AND DIVERSITY CHARACTERISTICS MAP

Cultural and Diversity Characteristics Map

Evelyn Harding

CUR/ 518

July 25, 2021

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CULTURAL AND DIVERSITY CHARACTERISTICS MAP

Cultural and Diversity Characteristics Map

My Cultural and Diversity Characteristics Map reveals that many of my norms and views

are cultural, personal, and educational in origin. This was unsurprising, since I would describe

myself as spiritual rather than religious. Numerous of my principles are derived from what I

learnt as a child and continue to learn as an adult. My own views sometimes diverge from those

of others, but that seems to be where my history comes into play. My access to higher education

has aided me in developing a greater capacity for understanding and diversity, since I have

interacted with a wide variety of individuals from various backgrounds and views.

I grew up in the southern part of Georgia. We were very religious, and the church plays a

great role in many southern lives. My neighborhoods were not diverse, and the majority of

residents believed "it takes a village”. My family lived in an economically challenged area.

Financials were a great concern. My mother came from nothing; her family moved from South

Carolina to Georgia as railroad workers, and my father was not in the picture until I was 13 years

of age. As a result, I developed an appreciation for what I had. My mother always said, "It is not

what you have, it is how you keep it." I learnt to work and express gratitude from an early age. I

was always required to chip in and demonstrate that I would work for what I wanted and my

family would cover the rest. At 16, I even had to pay the water bill to educate myself about how

the real world worked. As a result, some regulations have persisted into my adulthood. I am a

firm believer that everything must be earned and that nothing comes for free.

 
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CULTURAL AND DIVERSITY CHARACTERISTICS MAP

My personal convictions are mostly shaped by my background. I was raised to be

courteous and considerate, and I have carried that trait into adulthood. When I want anything, I

say please. I use the words "sir" and "ma'am". Because I tend to find the best in everyone, I must

remind myself that not everyone has my best interests at heart. Since I despise drama and dislike

confrontation, I will forgive and even be kind to those who have harmed or lied to me. I often get

burnt as a result of my efforts to assist others. Because I believe in Jesus Christ, the wicked will

not prosper. However, my belief system is sometimes shaken when I see wicked individuals

escaping and even being rewarded.

By the time I was 23, I had left Savannah, Georgia and married a Marine. Every 3 years,

we moved and were exposed to many different perspectives, as military members are from all

around the world. At my core, I am the same person, but being exposed to more knowledge,

more cultures, and more people has helped me develop as a person. I have always been receptive

and accepting of others, and as I have gained knowledge about different cultures, I have

welcomed them. As an educator, teaching in several different states, I worked with people from a

variety of different cultures and made many new acquaintances. I made close acquaintances with

my neighbors who are from the Islamic and Catholic religions. Even though I am a Christian, I

am extremely interested in all types of religions and have always found them intriguing.

At each level of my schooling, I have met new individuals, each with their own unique

narrative. The more rounded I am, the more I am able to see variety in my own life. I am very

fortunate of the constant military moves which exposed me to a variety of different foods and

music. As I have dealt with individuals from many cultural backgrounds, I have discovered the

value of maintaining an open mind. When dealing with students from different countries, having
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CULTURAL AND DIVERSITY CHARACTERISTICS MAP

a basic understanding of their culture may help everyone. As more businesses become global

organizations, it will become more essential for individuals to accept other cultures in order to

facilitate commerce. Working with students from all different cultures and backgrounds, where

diversity is a way of life and equity is expected, seems to have benefited my life and personality

significantly.

The unusual circumstances of having to relocate across the country due to military

transfers may have aided me. I have traveled across the country and am now married to a

Jamaican which has increased my sensitivity to everything and everyone, allowing me to

appreciate life in all its variety. I have met people from different cultural origins and learned the

importance of keeping an open mind. Working with students from many cultural and

background, in an environment where diversity is valued and equality is expected, seems to have

had a major beneficial effect on my life and personality.

It was interesting to see how much my own cultural background influenced the

development of my opinions. I believe that parents who do not expose their children to new

situations limit them and create preconceptions. I have worked and lived all around the world,

and I am now married to a Jamaican. increasing my awareness of everything and everyone, as

well as instilling in me the value of life in all its forms.