Understanding Diversity

Diversity

• is any characteristic that can be used to distinguish individuals and groups from one another. Basically, it's about empowering individuals by recognizing and valuing their differences, including age, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, handicap, and education.

• is the English noun that captures the essence of difference. ______ is from Latin word divertere, which means to turn away, separate, oppose (Latin Dictionary n.d) These are physical characteristics like color of skin, color of hair, shape of eyes, nose, height, weight, gender, age, socio-economic class, occupation, and many others.

Variety

is defined as "a range of many people or things that are very different from each other."

Loden's Diversity Wheel (1991)

• An overview of the aspects of diversity that exist and are being used in one's environment or place of employment.

• pointed to the significance of our social characters and the ways in which people develop their identity when they are able establish a connection with the specific group of people.

The four levels of diversity:

Personality

The innermost level of diversity, unique to each person. Includes individual traits, attitudes, behaviors and emotions that shape how people interact with others.

• Examples: Personal values, communication style, work ethic, temperament, and learning preferences.

The four levels of diversity:

Internal

• Refers to characteristics that a person is born with and cannot change easily.

• These factors are biological and inherent in a person's identity.

  • Examples: Age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability.

The four levels of diversity:

External

• Includes personal experiences and choices that shape an individual's identity but can change over time.

• These factors are influence by environment, life circumstances, and personal decisions.

  • Example: Education, religion, marital status, socioeonomic status geographic location, interests, and appearance.

The four levels of diversity:

Organizational

• Involves differences related to a person's role, status, and function within an organization.

• These actors define how individuals contribute to a workplace, institution, or structured group.

  • Example: Job role, work experience, department, management, level seniority, and union affiliation.

How to use the Loden's Wheel

• is useful in explaining how group based differences contribute to individual identities. In the two dimensions of the wheel, each individual is made aware of his/her differences.

• It is a framework for understanding diversity by categorizing various identity factors into Primary and Secondary Dimensions. It helps individuals, organizations, and educators foster Inclusivity and equity