My we would all be alike. Fortunately, we

My we would all be alike. Fortunately, we

My Place – The Place for Diversity Multimedia Analysis Coral Ann Rogers University of Phoenix Diversity Issues in Communication Comm / 315 Dr. Tatyana Thweatt August 07, 2011 My Place – The Place for Diversity Multimedia Analysis Diversity, a term that affects every person, group, and culture, is simply the ways that all of us are different. Diversity consciousness is our knack of distinguishing and adjusting to these differences (Bucher & Bucher, 2009, Chapter 1).

The “My Place” multimedia was a great tool in showing how people tend to put a label on others on the way they look.But after working the simulation, you learn very quickly that when given a brief bio of someone do not always allow you to match a person with to the bio. On a few occasions I did match the person, but it was only a guess. I was not able to actually read the brief bio and determine for fact that the person I chose was the correct person I was reading about. Throughout my life, and as I have aged and experienced life, I have realized that you can never know a book by its cover.

In order to know who a person really is takes getting the information about their culture, religion, background, and their way of life. Without this, there are no differences and we would all be alike. Fortunately, we all are different. The first person I chose was Peter (University of Phoenix, My Place, p. 1). His bio says that he liked to travel, and was the first person in his family to live outside of the United States. He was not in any cliques in high school and he was not popular.

He did not go straight to college after high school because he wanted to make a career as a professional golfer.Peter spent two years in Japan, teaching English before returning to Durango, CO to obtain his first bachelors degree in international relations from Fort Lewis College. Soon after obtaining his first bachelors degree he married, then returned to college and received his degree in multimedia and digital animation. He then went on to obtain his masters degree in business administration with an emphasis in global management from the University of Phoenix. These were all his characteristics of diversity that were hidden.

Some of his diversities that were not hidden were the fact that he has a good sense of humor, he enjoys seeing other people find their happiness, he had intense training in kung fu, he loves the outdoors and outdoors activity with his son, and he enjoys being with friends but also his solitude times (University of Phoenix, My Place, p. 1. Had I been able to see his observable characteristics I may have been able to pick him out because of the three persons to choose from, he was the only one standing in a pose of a kung fu stance.Edith was the next person on my list. Edith was of Dutch and German descent (University of Phoenix, My Place, p. 1.

She grew up in a small town in the Midwest, she belonged to a sorority in school, had been a music journalist, and work currently works for a University. Edith loves to travel, stay at beautiful resorts, going to spas and different wine tasting. She also hung out with hippies at Grateful Dead concerts. There was nothing in these hidden diversities that allowed me to choose her from the other two girls that were pictured with her.Some of her observable characteristics we that she is white, 5 ft 2 in tall and petite. Edith likes to wear concert t-shirts from all girl bands; she dyes her hair, and enjoys concerts and socializing with friends in the neighborhood bars (University of Phoenix, My Place, p.

1. Kim was next on my list. Kim’s hidden characteristics were that she was the first in her family to graduate from high school, and she was told that people from the lower level never make it to the higher level (University of Phoenix, My Place, p. 1.Kim now has a master’s degree in educational media and technology from Eastern Michigan University.

Kim’s observable characteristics are she has a unique accent which stems from her moves across the country every year, she has a French look and shiny blue eyes, she likes to laugh and smile, and tries to live her life in a positive way. Kim likes to socialize, but also like to spend time by herself in order to meditate and breathe (University of Phoenix, My Place, p. 1. Even though there were two very different looking girls and a male, with her hidden characteristics I was not able to pick her out.There are many characteristics that encompass diversity other than ones race and gender. Some of these can include a person’s personality, their innate characteristics, environmental conditions, and organizational elements(Bucher & Bucher, 2009, Chapter 1).

Some visual characteristics that many people think of first when asked to define the characteristics of someone may include skin color, religion, national origin, age, and sexual orientation, race and gender (University of Phoenix, My Place, p. 1).These are visible characteristics that can help to identify a person when seen, but it is so easy to misinterpret if you go on these alone. For example, a person seen at a restraint wearing an apron, a chef’s hat, and cooking would most likely be a chef but if the same person, a white female who is 22 and of olive completion and is standing near a kitchen could be identified as an owner, a waitress, or someone else. Without the adornment of the chef outfit, and without communication, we cannot tell that the female is the chef.I have been one of those persons who have judged people based on superficial characteristics.

I have the advantage of age and experience now and I have more of a tendency not to judge someone based on superficial characteristics. I have made a fool of myself many times over the years by doing this. Now, I try to take the time to ask a few questions before I make a superficial judgment. One of the best gifts that our society can give to our young people today is to not judge people on the basis of their skin color, race, gender, and their sexual orientation.To me, this is the beginning causes of gangs, fights, and violence that is so widespread in our world today. Diversity is felt by every human being on earth.

Learning to understand these differences will help us to live a more peaceful existence. References Bucher, R. D. , & Bucher, P. L. (2009).

Diversity Consciousness. Opening Our Minds to People, Cultures, and Opportunities (Third Edition ed. ). Pearson Education: .

University of Phoenix . (Producer). (n. d. ). My Place Video.

Available from University of Phoenix.