Reflection on Self-Assessment Diversity Attitude Surveys

Survey #1 – Mind, Body and Spirit
This survey challenges my perception of what I believe to be the most important part of existence – the mind, body and the spirit. Further, it forces me to analyze my true understanding of what the meanings are and how I believe them to inter-relate to each other. The mind, body and spirit are one, but they function as separate entities. My religious belief is that the spirit supersedes body and mind because the spirit is eternal. While here on earth the spirit is dependent on the body and the mind to function. The reality is that the body, mind and spirit challenge each other in a way that is similar to Freud’s Id, Ego, and Super-ego and in the end find a resolution to co-exist.
Survey # 2-What I Learned From My Parents
Most of what I am today is a reflection of the things I learned from my parents. Many of my beliefs as an adult , remain consistent with my culture, religion and moral values which were ingrained in me by my parents and was a legacy from their parents. This survey forced me to reflect and realize that I am a product of my upbringing. The survey italicizes the diversity in cultures and how it affects the way one functions within one’s own culture as well as the pros and cons of assimilating into a different culture. I believe it is important to be tolerant when dealing with people of diverse backgrounds. As a teacher I believe it is important that each student be treated in a fair and equitable manner in the classroom regardless of race, color and sexual orientation.
Survey #3 How I was raised
This survey stresses the way one interacts with others based on cultural beliefs, morals and gestures. Whether one bows, raises an eyebrow, shakes a hand or hug and kiss, and is all relative of the culture one was raised in. I consider myself to be bi-cultural because my family of Jamaican descent, however I was raised in the United States. Many of my Caribbean views are in direct conflict with the American culture. On several occasions I have had to make choices that went against my upbringing when trying to assimilate with my peers. I find that in the presence of those within my culture I react as they expect but outside that realm of existence I may not act accordingly. Since I do consider myself bi-cultural I do my best to make my decisions and choices based on both cultural expectations.
Survey #4- Beliefs about Men
This survey reflected a perspective of men that I mostly disagreed with. I believe it portrayed men in a distasteful light for the most part. The views of men in this survey is not one that I was raised with and even with or without the experiences of men in my life I don’t generalize based on an individual’s behavior. These days in our society I find that a lot of stereotypes pertaining to men are now being reversed. This may be due to the economic changes and the absence of a traditional two-parent home. For instance, some men are now homemakers and have taken over the roles of what was once considered “a woman’s place in the home.” I find that a lot of men cannot live up to the standards that were set by their ancestors and as a result are emotionally unstable and are unable to effectively handle stress without being in an altered state of mind.


Survey # 5 Beliefs about Women
This survey was a very stereotypical perception of how a woman’s behavior is based on an emotional response rather than a logical one. If I was to agree with the statements in this survey it would leave me to believe that a woman could not be President of the United States. I t would also leave me to believe that women could not manage finances or corporations. Fortunately, today’s society has disproved these assumptions. Women are not only taking care of the home and the children, but they are also running Fortune 500 Corporations. I believe that women are the backbone of the family and share in every responsibility and in making decisions that affect the family.
Survey #6 Beliefs about Race
I must say this survey caught me off guard, widely due to the terminology used to describe certain races. After thinking about it, I understand that many of these views are still prominent in today’s society. I do not share in these derogatory and negative views of people’s races and cultures I strongly believe that people are taught racism and it is in no way, shape or form, innate. I also believe that these narrow-minded viewpoints are based on individuals that are not worldly and have not been exposed to any other environment other than their own. Instead of trying to understand and communicate with these individuals, they let their fears and ignorance affect their ability to see beyond a person’s physical attributes. We may never be able to demystify the reasons why there is a kaleidoscope of races but we should make every effort to live together in peace and harmony and to utilize the strengths of each culture.
Survey # 7 Beliefs about Sex and Gender
This survey challenged my core beliefs of being a Christian. This survey also challenges my moral code of conduct of just being a good and respectful human being. I would like to believe that I am not a judgmental person and that I am tolerant of other races, cultures and sexual preferences because we are all essentially the same in what we are striving for – happiness and fulfillment of life. If I had to make a prognosis of the cause of sexual orientation and gender confusion, I would say that it is an issue of the mind and not an innate trait – nature verse nurture. I do not believe in mutilating the body to fix the mind nor do I believe that true self identification or fulfillment of life is not obtainable being in a same sex relationship.

Survey # 8 Educational Philosophy
Education is the solution for change and a productive society. I strongly believe that teachers are the leading source of evolution and the building blocks of the minds of an intellectual and conscientious society. I think it is important that teachers are given the flexibility to conduct their classrooms in such a way that promotes each individual child’s creativity and ability to express their ideas and master important concepts. Learning should extend beyond the classroom with teachers becoming involved in community programs and projects. This is vital to understanding how students interpret information based on how they interact in their environment and how it can help to complement the development of a curriculum that is more relevant to the students’ needs and abilities. The student is more motivated to learn when the teacher shows an interest and is committed to the child’s learning that goes beyond the classroom.


Survey # 9 Political Typology
I believe that the way things are right now, our government has had to make decisions that I primarily do not feel a government should overtake such as, some parenting issues and school issues dealing with morality and values. However I do see the need and under5stand why it is being done. I generally feel that our government can do more to help, aid and assist fellow Americans that are in need and out of work. I see many people that fall through the crack that cannot qualify for government assistance but are in dire straits. I am a democrat and I feel that the republicans are really out of touch with the majority of Americans. I think they believe they are always right and like children on the play ground must always get their way. This past year, with their standpoints in congress do not change my views but sealed them even more.