Diversity: Ethnicity, Race and Beliefs

Race and Ethnicity

Race and ethnicity are two concepts related to human ancestry. Race is defined as “a category of humankind that shares certain distinctive physical traits.” The term ethnicities is more broadly defined as “large groups of people classed according to common racial, national, tribal, religious, linguistic, or cultural origin or background.”

“Race” is usually associated with biology and linked with physical characteristics such as skin color or hair texture. “Ethnicity” is linked with cultural expression and identification. However, both are social constructs used to categorize and characterize seemingly distinct populations.

Neither race nor ethnicity is detectable in the human genome. Humans do have genetic variations, some of which were once associated with ancestry from different parts of the world. But those variations cannot be tracked to distinct biological categories. Genetic tests cannot be used to verify or determine race or ethnicity, though the tests themselves are associated with an increased belief in racial differences.

Though race has no genetic basis, the social concept of race still shapes human experiences. Racial bias fuels social exclusion, discrimination and violence against people from certain social groups. In turn, racial prejudice confers social privilege to some and social and physical disparities to others, and is widely expressed in hierarchies that privilege people with white skin over people with darker skin colours.

Race and ethnicity are often regarded as the same, but the social and biological sciences consider the concepts distinct. In general, people can adopt or deny ethnic affiliations more readily than racial ones, though different ethnicities have been folded into racial categories during different periods of history.

As legal scholar Tanya K. Hernandez writes, “The social experience of being consistently viewed as distinct is what informs a racial identity, not a shared culture.” People who share an ethnicity may speak the same language, come from the same country, or share a religion or other cultural belief or expression.

The United States government recognizes distinctions between the concept of race and ethnicity, and sorts individuals as White, Black or African American, Asian, American Indian and Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, or “other.” It also recognizes two ethnicities: Hispanic or Latino and Not Hispanic or Latino. This demographic data in turn affects public policy and civil rights law.

Humans share over 99 percent of their genetic material with one another, and variation occurs more between individuals than ethnic groups. Nevertheless, the legacies of racial and ethnic constructs can be spotted in everything from housing to health. Racial and ethnic prejudices affect the distribution of wealth, power, and opportunity, and create enduring social stratifications.

Religion is a cultural system of behaviours and beliefs. It is a complex and multifaceted concept encompassing diverse beliefs, practices, and social-cultural systems related to the supernatural and spiritual aspects of human existence.

Of the five main world religions, for each religion we have at least one associate belonging to that religion. For most circumstances it is totally irrelevant but we can target specifically should you need to.

The five main world religions – Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam – have several key differences:

Hinduism:

• Polytheistic religion with many gods and goddesses, rather than a single deity
• Belief in reincarnation and the cycle of rebirth (samsara)
• Emphasis on achieving moksha (liberation from the cycle of rebirth) through good karma and spiritual practices like yoga

Buddhism:

• Focuses on achieving enlightenment and ending suffering through following the teachings of Buddha
• Rejects the concept of a creator god, instead emphasizing the impermanence of all things
• Practices like meditation are central to the religion

Judaism:

• Monotheistic religion with a single God
• Follows the Torah and Talmud as sacred texts
• Strong emphasis on the covenant between God and the Jewish people
• Dietary restrictions like keeping kosher
• It’s important to distinguish between being Israeli, being Jewish and being Zionist

Christianity:

• Monotheistic religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ
• Belief in the Holy Trinity – God as Father, Son (Jesus), and Holy Spirit
• Sacraments like baptism and communion are important practices
• Sects include Catholic, Protestant, Authordom, Baptist

Islam:

• Monotheistic religion with a single God (Allah)
• Follows the Quran as the central religious text
• Practices like the five daily prayers, fasting during Ramadan, and pilgrimage to Mecca are essential
• Two main sects are Sunni (majority) and Shia

While these religions have many differences in their beliefs, practices, and histories, they also share some common themes around the search for meaning, morality, and the divine. Their diversity reflects the range of ways humans have grappled with life’s biggest questions. a kaleidoscope of viewpoints that challenge our assumptions and ignite our imagination.

If your team all belong to the same religion then it’s not diverse. Many religions ‘prohibit’ interaction with other religions. And even within a religion members of one version are ‘prohibited’ from checking out a variant. Such as Catholics are prohibited from attended protestant churches.

As the writer of the page I know people from all of those religions,, they all have good points and bad points. Diversity comes when accepting that other religions are also allowed, and good and bad people are in all of them, and yours is not the only one. It’s a key aspect of interculturality And that requires understanding about the others, and not trying to convert them.

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• Nationality refers to the legal status or membership in a particular nation or country .
• It involves allegiance and protection between an individual and a state .
• Nationality can be acquired by birth (jus soli) or by naturalization (jus sanguinis) .
• Nationality is distinct from ethnicity or race – it refers to political/legal membership in a nation, not necessarily shared ancestry .
• A country or nation can be home to multiple nationalities or national groups, each with their own history, traditions, and language .
• Nationality is an important legal and political concept, as it confers certain rights and obligations on individuals as citizens of a state ..

In summary, nationality is the legal status of belonging to a particular country, which is distinct from one’s ethnic or cultural identity. It is a key aspect of national identity and citizenship

Nationality has a significant influence on cultural identity in several key ways:
Shared History and Traditions
Belonging to a particular nation provides a common historical and cultural framework that shapes identity. Citizens share a collective memory, traditions, and values that are passed down through generations. This historical reservoir is an important factor in forging a sense of national cultural identity.
Language and Communication
A shared national language is a core component of cultural identity. Language shapes how people communicate, express themselves, and relate to one another. Speaking the same language fosters a sense of belonging and shared cultural understanding within a nation.
Symbols and Representations
National symbols, icons, and representations like flags, anthems, and monuments reinforce cultural identity. They visually represent the values, history, and unity of a nation. Engaging with these symbols helps individuals feel connected to their national culture.
Citizenship and Rights
Nationality confers legal citizenship status and associated rights, privileges, and obligations. This formal membership in a nation-state is an important aspect of cultural identity, providing a sense of belonging and access to national resources.
Interaction with Other Cultures
A nation’s culture is shaped by its interaction with other cultures, both within its borders and globally. Exposure to diverse cultural influences can lead to the adoption of new practices and values, evolving national cultural identity over time.

In summary, nationality provides a framework for cultural identity by establishing a shared history, language, symbols, citizenship status, and interactions with other cultures. While not the only factor, nationality is a key influence on how individuals perceive and express their cultural identity as members of a nation.

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If all your team has the same Nationality then it is unlikely to be diverse. There is too much commonality. Equally just because team has the same nationality then can be diverse in many other ways. – Race and Religion being two on this page

Three Colours Worldview

The Three Colours of Worldview can be visualized as three coloured lenses – formed of the basic beliefs and assumptions underlying behaviour and culture. People take in the world and make decisions on how to act through the filter of these lenses. For example, is being seen as honourable more important than being seen as right? Or is maintaining positional power more important than being shamed? To communicate effectively in a cross-cultural situation, you need to know what mix of lenses you have on in the way you see the world, and how to evaluate the lenses of the people with whom you are communicating. When we understand our own self-culture, we can begin to understand what drives others. These are what we look at first when we encounter a new situation, as they influence so many other cultural factors.

1. Innocence/Guilt

In an Innocence/Guilt focused culture, schools focus on deductive reasoning, cause and effect, good questions, and process. Issues are often seen as black and white. Written contracts are paramount. Communication is direct, and can be blunt.

2. Honour/Shame

Societies with a predominantly Honour/Shame worldview teach children to make honourable choices according to the situations they find themselves in. Communication, interpersonal interaction, and business dealings are very relationship-driven, with every interaction having an effect on the honour/shame status of the participants.

3. Power/Fear

Societies with a predominantly Power/Fear worldview raise children to assess where they fit into the pecking order of every situation they are in and behave accordingly. As they grow up, they learn how to align themselves with the right people to gain more power.

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