Respecting Differences
 Anyone can treat
people they know with
love and respect.
Tyrants do that.
 Your integrity and
goodness is determined
by how you treat others
who are different than
you.
Have You Ever Been an
Outsider?
 Been picked last on a sports team?
 Not included in a group of colleagues at work/friends?
 Not know anybody at a party?
 Been the only man, woman, Black, White, Asian,
Hispanic, etc. in a group?
 If so, did you feel lonely, invisible, or isolated?
 “People of color,” and disadvantaged groups (poor,
elderly, homosexuals, obese, disabled, religious groups,
personalities, etc.) feel these feelings often living in the
American culture.
Disrespecting Differences…
 Could get you fired in a job because these attitudes
are a detriment to their profit margin and bottom line.
 We may disrespect people who are different without
knowing it. Be aware of nonverbal messages that
you might accidently send that could offend a certain
group.
 Learning occurs when we become aware of others’
experiences. This can occur by choosing to make
friends with somebody in that group.
Respect Ideological
Differences
 Respect Liberal and Conservative viewpoints.
 Justice Clarence Thomas and prior UC Regent Ward
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Connerly are shouted down at universities.
Resist calling Homosexuals perverted. They are
disrespected in some religious groups.
Resist calling somebody who was pro marriage (for
proposition 8) as sexist.
Resist calling somebody who was against affirmative
action (for proposition 209) as racist.
These issues are complex, not simple, and there are
valid points on both sides.
Oppressing Forces
 Though the human spirit is virtually unstoppable, many
people are victimized by conditions or circumstances like
racism, incest, their upbringing, or a disability that was
not their own doing.
 “Learned Helplessness” occurred in animals that were
put in confined areas and punished when they tried to
escape. Over time, they quit trying; they learned
helplessness.
 The same occurs when people who experience continual
prejudice over time. Their motivation and effectiveness
goes down. Many in the Native American, African
American communities have experienced this dynamic.
Women and other disadvantaged groups experience the
same.
Eastern/Native Cultural
Values
Individual identities are
sacrificed in
interest of group or family
identity.
One grows wiser with age
and the elderly are wise
and respected.
Present Based: Being
there is more important
than being on time.
Collaborate
Topic
Identity
Age
Time
Problem Solving
Western Cultural Values
Individual identity is not
sacrificed but
celebrated. Self
matters.
Youth. Old age is
viewed as “over the hill”
and losses in health and
intellect.
Future Based:
Punctuality is very
important.
Compete
Be patient
Goals
Learn to be aggressive
Live in harmony with
nature
The Great Mystery
Nature
Conquer nature
The unknown
Humility
Ego
Spiritual
Listen
Faith
Communication
Skepticism
Pride
Religious
Speak up
Make an Effort to Respect…
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Cultures and Customs
Language and Traditions
Gender
Sexual Inclinations
Religion
Expressions of Culture: music, dance, habits, food.
Ideology (you can disagree while respecting groups)
Americans win more Olympic medals and create more
inventions because of its diversity of talent.
 Valuing diversity is being honest with your own biases while
listening openly to other perspectives.
 Valuing diversity is not a lecture on how you should think, feel,
or act. It is not white-male bashing or giving “lip service.”