Topic 1: Diversity in the Context of Homogeneity
I want to start with a topic that we may take for granted in our community: the value of diversity. I say take for granted because, as a school made up primarily of local and national families and staff, we may see ourselves as not necessarily “diverse.” We may not be diverse in terms of country of origin or religious beliefs, to mention just a few of the many attributes in which we can differ, but diversity lives in our community. Diversity is part of our identity if we consider our origins and all of the attributes that makes each of us unique. I don’t have expertise on this topic, but I am eager to learn, given our responsibility to nurture global competence development in Marymount students. More than answers, I would like to share personal reflections informed by readings, conversations, and professional learning opportunities and offer possible pathways we may embrace as a community around diversity. Let’s start by framing this reflection from a common standpoint: by diversity, I am referring to “the differing traits and characteristics that make people unique” CIS (2022, pag. 2). These traits can vary in an amplified span of all those attributes that make us human: race, ethnicity, gender, religious beliefs, place of origin, family background, and ways of learning, among so many others. In light of this, I propose, based on the work of Derrick Gay, that we understand diversity as applicable not only for those we view as “different”, but for all of us, because we are all different in one way or another.
The value of diversity in education has been researched and documented. In a nutshell, diversity in human contexts is a positive thing; it contributes to desirable learning outcomes in students, better decision-making, integration of different perspectives, and creativity, among other desirable attributes. Nevertheless, embracing diversity in our lives, organizations and communities is not an easy task. Reactions to diversity can become evident in fear, distrust and exclusion. As an educational community it is our responsibility to embrace and offer a path forward.
In our mission to be a learning community that offers a formative experience, at Marymount Barranquilla, we have begun to follow a pathway that we aspire will lead us to embrace and integrate the value of diversity in a way that makes sense and is responsive to the needs and interests of our community. This task is not easy or fast. Yet, more importantly, we have started it by creating our definition of intercultural learning: at Marymount, intercultural learning encompasses the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to interact and collaborate with people from different cultures.
Stay tuned for the next entry of MMM to learn about how at Marymount, through this understanding of intercultural learning, we contribute to educating in and for diversity. Each Marymount Mind Mapping entry will end with “I wonder “questions. These invitations allow the reader to engage in personal and collective reflection on the topic. Feel free or not :) to respond to the Blog by sharing your thoughts and--why not-- posing other questions.
What do you think makes you diverse?
Where do you see diversity present in our community?
How do you respond to diversity?
Do you tolerate it?
Do you embrace it?
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Interesting! I enjoyed, waiting for next entry👀
ReplyDeleteGreat topic to relaunch your blog. I think it is paramount to understand that diversity is about all of us not just the one we think are "different". And it definitely has a huge impact on learning environments. Loved the topic!
ReplyDeleteExcatly. I thionk this idea may be seem simple: we are all different, but it may become challenge when we view that these differences may touch uipon what we consider is the "truth". One starting point for this I think is to recognize and understand that our identity is formed by plurality, which I think translates in the notion that we are all diverse. Thank you for engaging!
DeleteI think diversity in humans is a gift from God, and we have the responsibility to be aware of it. We have to respect the differences between us, this is a healthy way to get along.
ReplyDeleteYes. I think if we view diversity as a gift as you say we can have a better dispotiion to understand and be kind to others.. Thank you for engaging!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely, diversity is more than a value, it should become a lifestyle. It is something you should grow with in order to live it in the same way you breathe because we need the differences to be part of a community (common-unity). It works in both directions: I can accept or reject someone in the same way I can be accepted or rejected by someone else.
ReplyDeleteLove this topic, and here is my contribution to it…
ReplyDeleteIt is important to recognize the value of diversity even in communities that may seem homogenous. We all have unique traits and characteristics that make us diverse, and it is important to embrace and celebrate this diversity in educational communities.
The value of diversity contributes to better decision-making, integration of different perspectives, and creativity. However, embracing diversity is not always easy and can lead to fear, distrust, and exclusion. As a Marymount community, it is our responsibility to create a pathway that leads us to embrace and integrate the value of diversity in a way that it responds to the needs and interests of our community. But I honestly believe that it is important to reflect on our own diversity, where we see diversity present in our community, and how we respond to it. Do we merely tolerate it, or do we actively embrace it? These are important questions to consider as we strive to create a more inclusive school environment that celebrates diversity and promotes understanding. 💙
Congrats for your blog!
Thank you for engaging. Self- awareness of our own diversity is the first step ..
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