engine of souls | forum 2

mre · Senior Member

Discussion #1: Unity & Diversity

edalton76 · Veteran Member

Can we be culturally united and respect diversity at the same time?

I think we can. America itself has its own general culture that nearly anyone that lives here is a part of. Even those who immigrate to America seem to say that although they stay t rue to the culture of their birth country they do tend to assimilate into the American culture [i.e. American foods, clothing, music, movies, etc.]. Also especially living in a ethnically diverse area like New Bedford we can all share a similar "American" culture, still be of diverse backrounds, while all the time holding a respect for each other.

fahimmulti · Veteran Member

mre wrote:

Let's begin an online discussion on these two topics: UNITY and DIVERSITY. Think first about the question, "Can we be culturally united and respect diversity at the same time?" Think about the ways that people are connected. How many can you think of? What do you think the future of America will look like? I'd also like you to check out a couple of websites on this topic and get your thoughts about their messages. The first is about race. The second is about America's population. What do you think about diversity here at NBHS? How can teachers respect diversity more? Is racism a problem in New Bedford? In what ways do people share culture? Music? Food? Stories? CAn you give examples?

Let's get the discussion started! Pick one of the questions above or more of them. We'll use this rubric to grade the online discussion. This is a graded assignment. The more you post the better you'll be, but make your posts direct, relavent, specific, etc. Have fun! I'll be in here too.

How can teachers respect diversity more?

Teachers can respect diversity by embracing it even more, by bringing up topics relevant to diversity to his/her class, by introducing it and making his/her students understand the importance and the beauty of diversity. diversity is a great thing, most don't know that but it is so lively, wouldn't it boring if you see the same people, eat the same foods, do the same things all the time? it would be much boring and bland if things are repetitive, a change is always a great thing that we need and are using at the moment, and the most important thing is to respect the diversity, and live life's beauty to its full extent.

dominik722 · Member

no we cant as much as we want to we never can be unifyed there is always someone who will do the wrong thing or say the wrong thing 2 make themselves feel better. also even if you mean to do the right thing some people will persevieve it to be wrong

edalton76 · Veteran Member

dominik722 wrote:

no we cant as much as we want to we never can be unifyed there is always someone who will do the wrong thing or say the wrong thing 2 make themselves feel better. also even if you mean to do the right thing some people will persevieve it to be wrong

Regardless of what is right or wrong in the eyes of others, we can still be united through the American culture. In any culture there are always going to be those who make bad decisions and do negative things to others but that does not mean they aren't apart of the culture around them.

sarahsnw · Veteran Member

What do you think about diversity here at NBHS?

I believe that there is a a good amount of diversity here at NBHS. As I walk through the halls, I see many different colors of skins. I see light, medium-light, medium-dark, and even dark. This skin color helps define my fellow students race. I think it's great that I am allowed to laugh and hold conversations with everyone of these people too. I can walk through the hall with anyone, sit at any lunch table with. I learn so much about other cultures because of the diversity in this school. For the most part, I believe that the diversity at our school is good for the students. It's a way to learn outside of the classroom, and there is enough offered. weirdface

-- Edited by sarahsnw at 17:27, 2008-09-12

abrun · Member

edalton76 wrote:

Can we be culturally united and respect diversity at the same time?

I think we can. America itself has its own general culture that nearly anyone that lives here is a part of. Even those who immigrate to America seem to say that although they stay t rue to the culture of their birth country they do tend to assimilate into the American culture [i.e. American foods, clothing, music, movies, etc.]. Also especially living in a ethnically diverse area like New Bedford we can all share a similar "American" culture, still be of diverse backrounds, while all the time holding a respect for each other.

i dont think i could have put it a better way.i completely agree with you.i think an important part of american culture is all the diversity and the acceptance of other cultures,beliefs,and practices.

jveloso8 · Member

mre wrote:

Let's begin an online discussion on these two topics: UNITY and DIVERSITY. Think first about the question, "Can we be culturally united and respect diversity at the same time?" Think about the ways that people are connected. How many can you think of? What do you think the future of America will look like? I'd also like you to check out a couple of websites on this topic and get your thoughts about their messages. The first is about race. The second is about America's population. What do you think about diversity here at NBHS? How can teachers respect diversity more? Is racism a problem in New Bedford? In what ways do people share culture? Music? Food? Stories? CAn you give examples?

I think the future of America will be completely different than it is now. Today, it is different than how it was many years ago. People are always changing and becoming aware of what is around them. The diversity here at NBHS is a lot more accepted than other schools. Many students that come here to visit or transfer are not used to such different people in the same place.Teachers are teachers for a reason. If they cannot deal with diversity in their classroom, they shouldn't be teaching. Everyone is human and everyone is equal no matter how they are. People share a little bit of everything everday. If my mom cooks something, I invite my friends over for some good Portuguese cooking, that is how i share my culture. Everyone is connected in some way, coming from years and years ago.

devoncarter · Member

no we cant as much as we want to we never can be unifyed there is always someone who will do the wrong thing or say the wrong thing 2 make themselves feel better. also even if you mean to do the right thing some people will persevieve it to be wrong

i disagree with dominiks approach to unity. i believe we can be unified because everyone can have some type of common interest whether its race, religion, background, or lifestyle. I also think that doing the right thing thats perceived to be wrong is an opinion, everyone has the right to there own, it doesnt mean they arent unified.

HELENA18 · Member

Let's begin an online discussion on these two topics: UNITY and DIVERSITY. Think first about the question, "Can we be culturally united and respect diversity at the same time?" Think about the ways that people are connected. How many can you think of? What do you think the future of America will look like? I'd also like you to check out a couple of websites on this topic and get yours. The first is about race. The second is about America's population. What do you think about diversity here at NBHS? How can teachers respect diversity more? Is racism a problem in New Bedford? In what ways do people share culture? Music? Food? Stories? CAn you give examples?
first there we can try united and try to respect cultures but we gona fail. everybody think different and if they don't know how it feels they woun't understand. we have to accept we live on a cruel and racist world, there is aways going to be one person to corrupt another person to b racist. At NBHS there is so much diversity, you see at everywhere. you se every culture with their culture. it gives you confidence, protection when you are with your race.
the teachers should make everybody on the class feel equal and treat them the same. i think racist is every where is something we can't escape or change it. people can share cultures by showing pictures, talking about it, music, clothes. it has to be fun, because if is boring teenager woun't pay attention and creative. i think food is more fun way to share cultures, because is nice to try someting new, and people ask question and laugh around. weirdface

elwilliams · Member

"Can we be culturally united and respect diversity at the same time?"

I deffinately think we can be both culturally united and repect diversity. It happens everyday in NewBedford, there is so much diversity, but for the most part people are respectful of each others' cultural differences. People can very well share each other's cultural beliefs, and they could also teach other a lot.

mre · Senior Member

edalton76 wrote:

Can we be culturally united and respect diversity at the same time?

I think we can. America itself has its own general culture that nearly anyone that lives here is a part of. Even those who immigrate to America seem to say that although they stay t rue to the culture of their birth country they do tend to assimilate into the American culture [i.e. American foods, clothing, music, movies, etc.]. Also especially living in a ethnically diverse area like New Bedford we can all share a similar "American" culture, still be of diverse backrounds, while all the time holding a respect for each other.

Erin, do you think this is happening now, or that we have more work to do (if so, what kind)?

mre · Senior Member

fahimmulti wrote:

mre wrote:

Let's begin an online discussion on these two topics: UNITY and DIVERSITY. Think first about the question, "Can we be culturally united and respect diversity at the same time?" Think about the ways that people are connected. How many can you think of? What do you think the future of America will look like? I'd also like you to check out a couple of websites on this topic and get your thoughts about their messages. The first is about race. The second is about America's population. What do you think about diversity here at NBHS? How can teachers respect diversity more? Is racism a problem in New Bedford? In what ways do people share culture? Music? Food? Stories? CAn you give examples?

Let's get the discussion started! Pick one of the questions above or more of them. We'll use this rubric to grade the online discussion. This is a graded assignment. The more you post the better you'll be, but make your posts direct, relavent, specific, etc. Have fun! I'll be in here too.

How can teachers respect diversity more?

Teachers can respect diversity by embracing it even more, by bringing up topics relevant to diversity to his/her class, by introducing it and making his/her students understand the importance and the beauty of diversity. diversity is a great thing, most don't know that but it is so lively, wouldn't it boring if you see the same people, eat the same foods, do the same things all the time? it would be much boring and bland if things are repetitive, a change is always a great thing that we need and are using at the moment, and the most important thing is to respect the diversity, and live life's beauty to its full extent.

Fahim, to what extent do you think this is happening at NBHS?

mre · Senior Member

dominik722 wrote:

no we cant as much as we want to we never can be unifyed there is always someone who will do the wrong thing or say the wrong thing 2 make themselves feel better. also even if you mean to do the right thing some people will persevieve it to be wrong

Dominic, in this sense unity isn't as much a goal as it is an attitude. We can't use words like 'always' or 'never' when talking about different perspectives.

mre · Senior Member

abrun wrote:

edalton76 wrote:

Can we be culturally united and respect diversity at the same time?

I think we can. America itself has its own general culture that nearly anyone that lives here is a part of. Even those who immigrate to America seem to say that although they stay t rue to the culture of their birth country they do tend to assimilate into the American culture [i.e. American foods, clothing, music, movies, etc.]. Also especially living in a ethnically diverse area like New Bedford we can all share a similar "American" culture, still be of diverse backrounds, while all the time holding a respect for each other.

i dont think i could have put it a better way.i completely agree with you.i think an important part of american culture is all the diversity and the acceptance of other cultures,beliefs,and practices.

I'll ask you the same question, then, Adam. Do you think we are 'there' or that we have more to go? If so, then what needs to change?

mre · Senior Member

jveloso8 wrote:

Everyone is connected in some way, coming from years and years ago.

Jessica, this made me think of something I read a while ago: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitochondrial_Eve. You might find it interesting.

mre · Senior Member

Grades updated 9-22-08

edalton76 · Veteran Member

mre wrote:

edalton76 wrote:

Can we be culturally united and respect diversity at the same time?

I think we can. America itself has its own general culture that nearly anyone that lives here is a part of. Even those who immigrate to America seem to say that although they stay true to the culture of their birth country they do tend to assimilate into the American culture [i.e. American foods, clothing, music, movies, etc.]. Also especially living in a ethnically diverse area like New Bedford we can all share a similar "American" culture, still be of diverse backrounds, while all the time holding a respect for each other.

Erin, do you think this is happening now, or that we have more work to do (if so, what kind)?

Personally I think that most of the people, at least those whom I involve myself with, are pretty open to differences in people and their cultures. However I do think that in many places in the country people aren't necessarily at the same point that we here in New Bedford are. Like as much as some people hate this area, I think we are a step ahead of most places as far as being to accept people regardless of their heritage.

patriciaaaaxo · Veteran Member

There is much diversity in New Bedford High School. Such as: Latin/Hispanic, Blacks/African-Americans, Cape-Verdeans, Whites/Polish or French and Chinese. Its way better this way, I wouldnt want to see the same people as my kind or another nationality every day. Teachers already respect diversity because there are many diverse teachers who teach there already. Racism from what I know of is not a problem at all, but as always there are some ignorant people. There are Spanish restaurants with Hispanic food and Cape-Verdean restaurants also. New Bedford is very diverse.Hispanic food- arroz con pollo, planatanos, pastellijhosCape-Verdean food- manchupa, jageseda and linguica

vreyes09 · Member

I think that we can be culturly united and respect diversity at the same time. look at America not ONE American is exactlly like another but we mostly share a common culture.so it is possible.

Cassy23 · Member

What do you think about diversity here at NBHS?

NBHS has a lot of diversity. There are many different cultures, pysical features (such as skin color), clothing, etc. It's awsome that we could learn different cultures with out books and test but conversing with other students and learn their traditions. We have an opportunity to learn different cultures and not just think there is one.

mre · Senior Member

Grades Updated 10-1-08

killajohn17 · Member

I think that it is more than likely cuz we all pretty much imagrated here threw our ancestors and we still have people immagranting here now. So far i think that it is going to happen and it is more than likely furious

claydir · Member

people can be cultural and respect their diversity depending on what their belief are. If they were broutht up to be respectful and respect other people's belifs, or you been from a differnt culture but been around a differnte cultural your thoughts would be differnt then never hearding about the cultural

the diversity here in NBHS differ from just about every students people dress differnt,for example some people like to wear baggy clothing other people like to wear wear tight clothes some people who's not form the U.S. might wear clothes that people from the culture might wear

i think racism is a problem here at NBHS is a problem, but not significantly a big problem. when you walkin down the halls you might here people judge and make fun of the other person just beacause he?she might spaek a different langauge, dress differnt and has a differnt point of view then everybody else

jaddyyma · Member

Let's begin an online discussion on these two topics: UNITY and DIVERSITY. Think first about the question, "Can we be culturally united and respect diversity at the same time?" Think about the ways that people are connected. How many can you think of? What do you think the future of America will look like? I'd also like you to check out a couple of websites on this topic and get your thoughts about their messages. The first is about race. The second is about America's population. What do you think about diversity here at NBHS? How can teachers respect diversity more? Is racism a problem in New Bedford? In what ways do people share culture? Music? Food? Stories? CAn you give examples?

We have a very high diverse population of different cultures in the little city we call NEW BiDDY!! blended mixed, making children leads to 50% one nationality and 50% another. Their are so many combinations. Im PuertoRican and Dominican how that happend idk because my parents cant stand each other.
but it did happen.and in NewBeford we have many other like Cape verdean,Brazilian,Portuguese,French,and Irish. so much more. And the respect is all their everyone i think is happy. In the end there is some ignorance in the people who hate to see colored with white, and diverse they like it their way. I like how NBHS is set up no ne is perfect and no one should get treated that way we are all one.!!!
Just walking the street you see restaurants ,bodegas, corner stores with all different types of food platanos, arroz con bbechual pollo, tostono those are different types of the hispanic but their is jag,munchup from the Creole family, and tortillas form the mexican tribe ilove the diverse

biggrin

-- Edited by jaddyyma at 10:48, 2008-10-02

jaddyyma · Member

patriciaaaaxo wrote:

There is much diversity in New Bedford High School. Such as: Latin/Hispanic, Blacks/African-Americans, Cape-Verdeans, Whites/Polish or French and Chinese. Its way better this way, I wouldnt want to see the same people as my kind or another nationality every day. Teachers already respect diversity because there are many diverse teachers who teach there already. Racism from what I know of is not a problem at all, but as always there are some ignorant people. There are Spanish restaurants with Hispanic food and Cape-Verdean restaurants also. New Bedford is very diverse.Hispanic food- arroz con pollo, planatanos, pastellijhosCape-Verdean food- manchupa, jageseda and linguica

I AGREE WITH PATRiCH; 100% biggrin

mre · Senior Member

Grades Updated 10-6-08

abrun · Member

mre wrote:

abrun wrote:

edalton76 wrote:

Can we be culturally united and respect diversity at the same time?

I think we can. America itself has its own general culture that nearly anyone that lives here is a part of. Even those who immigrate to America seem to say that although they stay t rue to the culture of their birth country they do tend to assimilate into the American culture [i.e. American foods, clothing, music, movies, etc.]. Also especially living in a ethnically diverse area like New Bedford we can all share a similar "American" culture, still be of diverse backrounds, while all the time holding a respect for each other.

i dont think i could have put it a better way.i completely agree with you.i think an important part of american culture is all the diversity and the acceptance of other cultures,beliefs,and practices.

I'll ask you the same question, then, Adam. Do you think we are 'there' or that we have more to go? If so, then what needs to change?

i dont believe we are fully there yet(i dont DONT think we will ever get rid of most of it even)but some things that need to change, is all the ignorance and niaveness about anothers culture.i think we can be culturally united and respect diversity at the same time(if people put in the effort,after all,nobody wants to be hate dor ridiculed).and isnt that what living in america/(new bedford?)is all about?

mre · Senior Member

Grades Updated 10-10-08

xotorixo · Member

I think that we can be culturally united and respect diversity at the same time. i think people are connected by culture, and personality. i think that the future of America hopefully will have less racism. i think that the diversity of NBHS is not bad at all for the most part everyone gets along and theres no racism. i think that teachers should respect diversity. yes racism is a problem everywhere. people share culture through music, food, talking to others about culture.

mre · Senior Member

Grades Updated 10-14-08

IndiaRussell09 · Member

Can we be culturally united and respect diversity at the same time

I think that people are not currently exercising this. I do believe that these things can be improved but will not change. I say this because no matter how educated poeple may be on cultural differences and diversity, there will always be unwilling people and people who have hatred for others different from themselves.

svizzy09 · Member

What do you think about diversity here at NBHS?

There is a lot of diversity here at NBHS. There are many types of backgrounds here ranging from portuguese to asian. You name a culture and I bet you will find it here. I think its a good thing because how fun would it be to have all the same type of friends. You need friends from other cultures to learn about them and do the things they do. In all I like the diversity here at NBHS.

mre · Senior Member

Grades Updated 10-29-08