Diversity adds value to our thinking, our communication, our understanding and our lives, both personally and professionally. However, it is quite complex, and requires a good deal of reflection on each of us as individuals. Understanding Diversity requires intentional thought. As the text asserts, it goes beyond common sense and good intentions. It is not treating everyone the same, nor is it’s goal just to make people, “feel good.” Instead, exploring, assessing, augmenting, editing, and continually refining our personal and environmental awareness of issues regarding diversity, is additive. Meaning, when we are willing to do that work, this new awareness enhances our communication and functioning, individually and with others.

Diversity adds value to our thinking, our communication, our understanding and our lives, both personally and professionally. However, it is quite complex, and requires a good deal of reflection on each of us as individuals. Understanding Diversity requires intentional thought. As the text asserts, it goes beyond common sense and good intentions. It is not treating everyone the same, nor is it’s goal just to make people, “feel good.” Instead, exploring, assessing, augmenting, editing, and continually refining our personal and environmental awareness of issues regarding diversity, is additive. Meaning, when we are willing to do that work, this new awareness enhances our communication and functioning, individually and with others.

For this assignment, I ask you to look over the 5 Diversity Myths in the Chapter, (around page 24 or so) and choose 2 of them to focus on. Then write a paragraph on each, discussing 1) where you have seen this myth in action, 2) where YOU may have assumed the myth, and 3) choose a population you would not normally think of, and see if you can apply your chosen myths to that population, and write about how it might be corrected.

Then, using your notes from Chapter 1, revisit the 7 factors that are NOT definitions of Diversity Consciousness, choose 2 different ones (at least) and apply them corrected, to the two myths you have just written paragraphs on.

So, the assignment should be formatted something like this:

Choose 1 Myth and write a paragraph on it. The paragraph should include 3 components:
Where have you seen this myth “in action?
Where have you possibly made your own assumptions/errors about this myth?
Choose a population you would not normally thing of related to this myth, or different than one you first think of, and see if you apply your chosen myth to that population, and write about how the myth might be corrected.
Choose a 2nd Myth and write a paragraph on it. This next paragraph should again, include 3 components:
Where have you seen this myth in action?
Where have you possibly made your own assumptions/errors about this myth?
Choose a population you would not normally thing of related to this myth, or different than one you first think of, and see if you apply your chosen myth to that population, and write about how the myth might be corrected.
Finally, choose 2 from the 7 examples of what Diversity Consciousness is NOT, and apply 1 to each of your chosen myths above. (an EXAMPLE of how it might read, is below)
For Myth 1, I recognize that the NOT point, is the result of good intentions, may apply. The reason I assert that good intentions are not sufficient, and perhaps add to this myth are
For Myth 2, I recognize that this NOT point, a passing fad, may apply. The reasons I assert that being fad is not a sufficient explanation, and perhaps adds to this myth are

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