I have always defined culture as the shared like thinking of beliefs and values by our society. According to a search on the definition of culture, it is a shared, learned, symbolic system of values, beliefs and attitudes that shapes and influences perception and behavior-an abstract "mental blueprint" or "mental code". Cultural groups can include Race, Ethnicity, Gender, Age, Class, Sexual Orientation, Metal Ability, Physical Ability, Marital Status, Religion and social groups.
             Race and Ethnicity have long been debated. What is the difference and how are they linked?
             In 1996, six distinguished scholars gathered together in a live forum at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, entitled "Ethnicity and Education: What Difference Does Difference Make?" They answered questions regarding ethnicity and it's importance in education.
             I must admit the idea of a diversity course being a requirement in colleges today in order to obtain a degree seemed a little bizarre. Diversity in my mind meant a mix of all of the cultural groups mentioned above. Why does that need to be studied? After reading the transcript from the Harvard Education Review on the aforementioned debate, I now understand its importance. With such an incredibly diverse population, it's important for students to be able to relate to what's being taught, to hear their voices and backgrounds represented. It's also important to break down any barriers or stereotypes learned through ignorance or the media.
             I've always thought that race dealt more with the color of ones skin and ethnicity was an individual's background. I admit it was a rather narrow way of thinking. Race as defined by brainydictionary.com is the descendants of a common ancestor; a family, tribe, people, or nation, believed or presumed to belong to the same stock; a lineage; a brood or people who are believed to belong to the same ethnic genetic ...