Why does a society that encourages diversity want everyone to be normal?

[Chubroach]

Everywhere I go I hear about the glories of diversity. We are encouraged to be our own person and welcome people of all races, cultures and backgrounds. Though if someone is actually "different" in our society, they will be alienated and excluded.

At school, kids are made to feel like outcasts if they do not behave like the "in crowd" The lunch room in high school is broken up by social class and race. In the adult world, people who show individuality are called "strange" "different "weird" or an "oddball" We let the media set controls onl how we should dress, talk, behave.

What is it about American culture that talks about the values of diversity- but really discourages it in practice?

 

[poohandwendy]

Because it is human nature to live in communities, not as individuals. We strive to find our place in the world and constantly measure ourselves up to those around us.

Try as we may, we are driven by instinct, not political correctness.

Instinct will never change, not really. We still will admire the fittest and the most successful and try to emulate them. We will always feel the need to 'fit' in.

 

[ByTheSea]

Originally posted by Chubroach
Though if someone is actually "different" in our society, they will be alienated and excluded.

In the adult world, people who show individuality are called "strange" "different "weird" or an "oddball" We let the media set controls onl how we should dress, talk, behave.

What is it about American culture that talks about the values of diversity- but really discourages it in practice?

I think a lot of it is perspective, and where you are. I live and work where diversity is the norm it's not much of a topic of conversation, it just is. Individuality is respected. People who are inconsiderate, selfish, hateful or bigoted (among other traits) would be those called called "strange" "different "weird" or an "oddball" - they are the ones who tend to be alienated or excluded and it has nothing to do with race or individuality.

 

[poohandwendy]

What is it about American culture that talks about the values of diversity- but really discourages it in practice?

Well, because this country is the most culturally diverse. It isn't discouraged, it is just not easily accomplished until people can really relate to each other. That takes a large amount of time and gradual social change.

For example, try placing a wide variety of people in a country where there is primarily one culture (that has been that way for ages)...you will see that they will not quickly adapt to the 'strangers'. It isn't a US thing, it is an instinctive thing. We are comfortable with what is 'normal' to us.

Another example, most people who have 'issues' with black people have had limited exposure to them in their lives. Their prejudice is based on what they 'believe' of other people, not usually tons of personal experiences. If they did, they would have lost some of the 'you are foreign to me, therefore unacceptable' mentality. Same with homosexuals, asians, hispanics, or any other minority. Most people who are really accepting of others were either surrounded by people who stressed acceptance, or were exposed to many different types of people while growing up.

 

[minniepumpernickel]

Wow, this is a really good question.

I still feel that our society is "schizophrenic" on a lot of issues like diversity and sexuality. We say one thing and really mean another.

I just chalk it up to the fact that we haven't fully evolved yet!

 

[JoNo]

I hate to say it, but I think this topic would be better off in the debate forum

 

[grinningghost]

Originally posted by JoNo
I hate to say it, but I think this topic would be better off in the debate forum

Of course if it's moved to the DB, there will be no scattering of pixie dust to smooth the hostilities.

But my take is this - there will always be those who are bigots or critical of non-conformity. Even if millions of people embrace diversity, there will be millions more who detest it. And I'm sure none of us will be around when our species has "fully evolved".

 

[helenabear]

Originally posted by poohandwendy
Most people who are really accepting of others were either surrounded by people who stressed acceptance, or were exposed to many different types of people while growing up.

I would add one thing to this... I grew up in a town that was not very accepting of "foreingers" My mother wasn't accepted by my dad's family because she wasn't "of their kind" (read only that she was not from that area). I do not think we were welcome and accepted by my dad's side of the family because of this. However, my brother and sister are both some of the most accepting people in the world. Sometimes when you experience the feeling of being an outcast, it makes you more likely to be more accepting... you know you dont' want others to feel the way you did. Race, religion, beliefs... whatever never mattered to me and I have a rainbow of friends as many would say.

I will say though, sometimes the opposite may happen. A group will be shunned and they stick to themselves because that is what they are comfortable with. Many people don't like leaving their "comfort zone" and are afraid of other things out there.

I love diversity... whether it is a simple thought or more... if we were all the same the world would be boring and I truly enjoy hearing and seeing all that is out there... so I do not think everyone/everything is as the OP may have implied.

 

[poohandwendy]

Great point, I should have added "people who were forced to feel the pain of not being accepted".

 

[Eeyore1954]

Originally posted by Chubroach
Everywhere I go I hear about the glories of diversity. We are encouraged to be our own person and welcome people of all races, cultures and backgrounds. Though if someone is actually "different" in our society, they will be alienated and excluded.

A lot of this depends on how different the person is and whether the differences are easily visible or not. For example, someone who is heavily tattooed and/or pierced would stand out more than someone who has no visible tattoos or piercings. Someone with orange hair will draw much more attention than someone with plain black/brown/blonde hair.

In a sense each person is different and unique; no one is a clone of someone else (well, at least not yet!). In some ways society often focuses on external (visible) differences and uses those to classify people, often incorrectly.

At school, kids are made to feel like outcasts if they do not behave like the "in crowd" The lunch room in high school is broken up by social class and race.

This is a normal and natural part of adolescence. Part of it stems from the mental/emotional/social immaturity and the inherent struggle to develop into adulthood.

In the adult world, people who show individuality are called "strange" "different "weird" or an "oddball" We let the media set controls onl how we should dress, talk, behave.

This is painting with a broad brush; I don't believe everyone acts this way. Expressions of individuality vary by degree and each person must decide how much they want to express and also accept the consequences of those choices.

What is it about American culture that talks about the values of diversity- but really discourages it in practice?

I believe that diversity is a good thing and that tolerance of the varying levels of diversity is something that is learned throughout our lifetimes. Some people are able to exercise a greater degree of tolerance than others, but I'm sure everyone has encountered someone at sometime that caused them to take a second look or catch your breath or maybe just wonder "what were they thinking?".

We need to learn from our experiences and develop a more open-minded approach toward tolerating diversity. There is a lot of strength that can come from diversity and if we gave ourselves the opportunity we might discover how wonderful our differences can be.

 

[caitycaity]

you want my honest opinion?

because i think a lot of our society "encouraging" diversity is lip service.

 

[MosMom]

Originally posted by caitycaity
you want my honest opinion?

because i think a lot of our society "encouraging" diversity is lip service.

Probably true, I was going to add that I feel we are in the beginning stages of encouraging diversity. I think it will take a long time before diversity is truly accepted by most.

If I'm completely honest with myself...even I have looked at a "goth" person twice when if I were truly someone who accepted diversity freely, wouldn't bat an eye. I like to think I'm a person who celebrates diversity (I never belonged to a certain clique growing up and was friends with a wide variety of people...I still befriend a wide variety of people even though my friend pool has diminished) but even I have much to learn.

 

[caitycaity]

If I'm completely honest with myself...even I have looked at a "goth" person twice when if I were truly someone who accepted diversity freely, wouldn't bat an eye. I like to think I'm a person who celebrates diversity (I never belonged to a certain clique growing up and was friends with a wide variety of people...I still befriend a wide variety of people even though my friend pool has diminished) but even I have much to learn.

me too. we all have prejudices, but at least if we are aware of them we can try to fix them.

 

[catsrule]

I like being weird.

 

[Pop Daddy]

Originally posted by catsrule
I like being weird.

 

[DocRafiki]

Weird = digging up old posts from page 14

 

[Pop Daddy]

Originally posted by DocRafiki
Weird = digging up old posts from page 14

lol, I couldnt find nothing to post on, and just started clicking numbers, ended up at pg 14

 

[DocRafiki]

tell me it wasn't really page 14. i just picked a random number.