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What does diversity mean to you?

Diversity means being able to express a person's views, culture, experiences, etc. in a respectful manner so that everyone can have a deeper understanding of who that person is. However, people should not make that the only identifying factor about a person and should look at all aspects of a person so they can be equally represented. Once people start to value a person's race, age, ethnicity, language spoken, religion practice, etc. then the world can come to a better understanding of each individual and how in some way we are all in this together. It is lastly important that we can all express ourselves and still remain civil.

Do you think it is important for children to express their cultures in school?

I feel that schools need to not only allow children to express their culture in school they need to do it in a much better manner. I feel that schools are in fact afraid to have a more open cultural school because someone might not agree with a certain culture. If schools were given the proper tools and resources then they can have students express themselves in a mature way that is not offensive to any other cultural belief.

Have you ever been over or under represented when you went to school?

I have personally never been over or under represented in my schooling experience but I know many of my friends have been stripped my the experiences I had because they did not fit the "mold" and appeared to be "different" than myself.

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What does diversity mean to you?

Diversity means different to me. It means we are not all the same. It is important for children to express their culture in school. It is human nature to want to learn everything they can about others as well as share everything they can about themselves. The more you know the more you understand someone. It breaks down those walls we tend to put up when something is unknown. It is important for each person to feel valued and accepted.

Have you ever been over or under represented when you went to school?

I have been both under and over represented in primary school. It ways racially that I was the minority as a Caucasian in high school in south FL, where most of my peers were African, African American, or Hispanic. When I was in elementary school in the early 90s, there were less than 5 African American students in my school as I recall. I believe it was the time and the area here in Eastern York County. Finally, the difference in the representation made it uncomfortable for everyone involved. We work to know and relate to others. We yearn to find some commonality but that is hard when you have no schema of the other person and cannot easily see what you have in common, or when these feelings are reversed.

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What does diversity mean to you?

When I think of diversity I always tend to think about the variety of race or culture, everything being mixed with different elements and qualities.

Do you think it is important for children to express their cultures in school?

I absolutely think children should express their culture and be proud of it around their peers. Culture is something that people/children can always get educated on further. Whether people are close minded about different cultures, that is totally up to them. I believe without cultures implemented into schools, it would cause a lack of diversity amongst the students.

Have you ever been over or under represented when you went to school?
To be completely honest, I feel as if I was represented pretty well throughout my school years. As for others, I feel that different cultures and races are misrepresented 100%.

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What does diversity mean to you?

Being able to express who you are!

Do you think it is important for children to express their cultures in school?

100% yes!

Have you ever been over or under represented when you went to school?
Yes, with having a learning disability some teachers wouldn’t accommodate me and use other methods to help make it easier for me to understand. Kids who have severe disabilities were pushed into a room all day and weren’t in other classes or get to do electives and some kids who needed more attention were forced to transfer to another school because the school didn’t want to deal with the child anymore.

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What does diversity mean to you?

A simple definition of diversity is to include and respect other people, their beliefs and allow expression of their culture. Been thinking about this a lot and I am stuck on this. One of my issues is when there is lack of respect for your country from people which goes against people who fought for freedom. People who are extreme in their thought process such ISIS. not sure of those people should be included.

Do you think it is important for children to express their cultures in school?

I do think children should be able to express their diversity in school as long as it is respectful to others. If you take that thought to the extreme I think there needs to be lines drawn in the sand with it also and you need to be careful as it also can lead to tension.

Have you ever been over or under represented when you went to school?
To some degree I think I was underrepresented when I was in school as I was bullied...certainly I did not fit the mold and with diversity everyone is to be included.

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What does diversity mean to you?

Diversity to me means being able to learn from people from all different walks of life. To be comfortable and not feel judged to represent oneself no matter their religious, education, or ethnic background.

Do you think it is important for children to express their cultures in school?

I think it’s very important to express culture in schools, to show kids that’s it’s okay to be whoever you are and that together as one is better than being alone.

Have you ever been over or under represented when you went to school?

Yes I was never understood in school being a mixed person I didn’t know who I was “with” black culture or white. It took until I joined the military that I got the view of it doesn’t matter black, white, Mexican, Asian, or Hispanic we all bleed and feel the same emotions as a human. And I tell you what being deployed with all races diversity goes out the window when you rely on the man and women to your right and left to get you home safe just as much as they rely on you. Hope that helps

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What does diversity mean to you?

Diversity to me is a range of many different things, from culture to ethnicity to political and spiritual views etc.

Do you think it is important for children to express their cultures in school?
Do you think it is important for children to express their culture in school?

Yes, I think it’s very important, it helps us understand that each individual is unique and helps recognize our individual differences.

Have you ever been over or under represented when you went to school?
I have never been.

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What does diversity mean to you?
To me diversity means uniting, respecting and having the exposure to different cultures, ethnic background, social class, religious preferences, abled-bodiless, sexual orientation and gender.

Do you think it is important for children to express their cultures in school?

Yes I do think it is important. It is important because it will help expose people to the different system of inequalities, I believe it could help destroy stereotypes and prejudices.

Have you ever been over or under represented when you went to school?
Yes, I have. I currently go to a predominantly white school where diversity is represented the same, My freshman year of school I attended an all black school there they were big on diversity and were all about making people aware if the different cultures etc.

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What does diversity mean to you?

To me, diversity is an eclectic blend of people and perspectives.  Diversity means that there is a difference; not everyone is the same or has the same experiences.

Do you think it is important for children to express their cultures in school?

I think it's important for children to express their culture in school because it is a part of who they are and it enriches the experience of other students, as well as faculty.

Have you ever been over or under represented when you went to school?
On one hand, I could easily say that I have been over represented as a white male, especially in college.  Conversely, as a gay man, I am somewhat under represented.  There are many different layers to diversity.