Re: Can the appreciation of diversity be learned?

Certainly the appreciation of diversity can be learned. I believe how this appreciation is introduced and learned is critical to a successful outcome.

Human nature inherently dislikes force-fed dogma. So when teaching someone to appreciate another’s differences, the educator must be conscious firstly not to breed resentment with instructions of “should” and “must,” and secondly not to create indifference with too many examples of diversity whereby it all becomes one big blur.

Diversity distilled shows that everyone is actually the same. All people have the same wants and needs -- family, friends, love, health and prosperity. I believe to truly appreciate diversity one must learn to look at a person first as an individual then his/her culture and lifestyle as special enhancements.

Lastly one observation from working with people of diverse backgrounds: Often it is not so much that the “majority” is insensitive or ignorant of the “minority” but rather that the “minority” is far too aware about being a minority and is overly sensitive thus taking communication and action out of context and perceiving them as slights.