Kyler Byington
LE 1360
12, March 2013
Diversity Within: Social Forces
With every thought and every action we will see the world unfold around us. We have the
ability to influence others in their world as well as them to influence our own world. A definition of the
term social forces by the text is: the omnipresent social influences that surround us (Bucher). In essence
these forces are something that never stop being at work. The power we have is in how we react to
situations, people, and events. This power of choice given to us and how we respond ultimately defines
who we are and the direction we’re heading.
Picture your present surroundings like the current situation are having an internal monologue
with your own subconscious. From the things you see, the events you experience and the people
encompassed around you. All of these surroundings have a way about influencing one’s self in which we
are put in a situation. It is in how we adapt or more adequately put, act in response to the present
situation. As you follow through with making your decision is when you begin to generate your own
social forces.
When analyzing the play “The Death of a Salesman” (Arthur Miller), and taking a look at the
American dream. It can be concluded that the dream was not quite so big at all. Although while during
this massive migration to America it was popular belief anyone can make it out there. The realities of it
were contrary once one had managed to get themselves to America. When examining the social
environment of a workplace involving sales such as Willy’s career. You really did just either make it or
break it; it was so competitive to work in such a trade. The amounts of stress that would amount to be
burdened on oneself to endure were so strenuous many would abandon the sales job.
We also will see some social forces in effect regarding certain social stigma’s during the era in
the play. One for starters would involve Happy, one of the Lowman brother’s. Happy shows an example
of being conditioned to get married young. He continually expresses to his father that he will plan to get
married; in hopes to obtain honor with his father. Willy also shows an example by how he is always
upselling his eldest son Biff. Willy finds himself unable to fulfill his dream as he had imagined it and then
begins losing his touch with things. He tries to make Biff out to be the best at anything and everything
because he only wants to see him strike it big time. It seems as though he is attempting to continue on
his dream through Biff. What we see here is that Willy is using social interactions to influence Biff into
becoming what he wants Biff to turn out to be. Biff however, hasn’t done anything great in the work
world as his father makes him out to be.
Next, in observation of his lovely wife Linda; she does everything she can to keep the family
together. Although she is aware of the affair her husband has with another women, she still is there for
him. She shows how back then you didn’t leave your husband; you would remain by his side until death.
She will console her sons when Willy is tough on them; make them feel welcome at home always. Even
while she sees her sons as old they are still remaining under their roof and care as if still children. She
simply could not discredit her love for her husband and sons. She desired to see things change and
emotionally supported everyone as she saw to fit her role.
When discussing the influences of an era’s popular beliefs, we are discussing what the text
refers to as cultural landscape. Which now a day in America divorce is common and it would alright if
women would choose to leave her husband. So these common beliefs as we perceive them, heavily
influence the roles we try to take on and how one thinks the role is meant to be played. Consumerism in
America is something instilled into our common belief as the way to live life. We have a very high
standard of living and it shows in how many holidays revolve around getting gifts for people. Every
teenager wants to get that car when the privilege of driving comes to them. These common beliefs or
traditions shape the cultural landscape we reside in.
As you begin to become more aware of the inner workings of social forces and their effects, you
begin developing your diversity consciousness. Now the text would define this as awareness. As we start
unlocking and unfolding these preconceptions in our heads we begin to see through these thoughts
rather than seeing through people. You can start opening your mind and allow yourself to love and value
other beings equally; no matter the differences. You’ll generate feelings for the love of life and embrace
similarities’ with others.
We have areas of diversity which include differences such as: gender, age and many more. Until
the barriers created by our differences are broken down we will not fully comprehend our brothers and
sisters upon the Earth. That is why the importance of diversity consciousness is something to be taken
seriously and with a light heart. Diversity is the differences between and individual or particular group.
In picking out these differences we have created a label or area of diversity; simply put you’ve created a
difference. You can choose to know you are different always and create similarities between those
individuals or groups. Attempting to categorize people into a group is only an opening to a path of
possibility to stereotyping. Our differences lie in that we are individuals all with what I call selfknowledge.
One only knows their own thoughts and experiences; one can infer from this statement that
knowledge is only gained through oneself. So awareness about oneself is attainable only through our
own experiences. But, we are all teachers and students to each other right? Although, you see people
congregate at schools and meetinghouses to learn from an instructor. It is because the fact that all we
know is our self-experience that we teach ourselves versus being taught by others. It is also why when in
the process of learning we get out of it only what we take from it. Even though this reality of truly
teaching oneself exists, value of knowledge is in only that it can be shared with others. The sharing of
our ideas and experiences is how the beginning of relating to each other comes forth. The interaction
experienced by all the parties involved is the social forces in effect.
An individual may ask seek to improve on their own personal relationship with areas of diversity
and their touch with these social forces. My advice on honing these diversity skills and developing that
personal relationship to become stronger within oneself would include: broaden your scope, have a
thirst for knowledge, seek to know yourself, and desire to be more aware of your surroundings. With
those things you will have a mindset that seeks to over stand instead of understand. With the mindset
you will control your social forces brought into this world of existence.
Compare for a moment how our past experiences shape our perception on a given situation.
Our perception of that situation helps mold our decision making process. After we’ve made our decision
and followed through we have completed shaping our future. So again these social forces are in effect
and we begin to shape not just ourselves but the life around us. We are rooted to a direct synergy of life
that allows us to manipulate the energy around us. One’s awareness of their impact and who they are
can guide them in the decision making process to identify an action or response that is in line with how
they would like to influence the given situation.
My definition of “diversity within” is: preserving our diversity within ourselves and the diversity
within the whole world. Diversity within one world; not just as one species either. To embrace once
again the title of earth’s guardians and preserve life in a form that embraces differences instead of
labeling them. By taking on the preservation of life and the preservation of diversity we build diversity
within our self. We all bring something different to the material of our existence and are here to help
each other through our journey. You know that we are social beings once you recognize that we do
socially shape the world around us to become what we wish it to become. Also in that we desire to be
social with others, it is human nature.
In conclusion, variance exists for a reason other than to provide us with separation which it is
most commonly associated with. Difference now causes a lot of conflict within us and others due to this
separation based on physical traits. Diversity consciousness is how one can begin to explore conflict
management, so that we may avoid undesirable measures of action taken by an individual or group
because lack of knowledge. We can also begin to heal the world around us by relating to others rather
jumping the gun and failing to understand, causing only conflict.
Works Cited Page
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Richard D. Bucher: Diversity Consciousness: Opening our Minds to People, Cultures
and Opportunities (3rd Edition)
Arthur Miller: The Death of a Salesman, a playwrite