Document Type
Issue Area Two
Abstract
Promotion of cultural diversity in higher education provides a consistent response. Educators and students both want educational institutions that recognize, celebrate and appreciate the cultural diversity of the nation reflected on the campuses of colleges and universities. However, while the goal may be the same, creating the means to develop a racially/culturally diverse community is controversial.
Promoting sensitivity is important in helping to bridge the gap between different groups of people regarding how to create a culturally diverse educational community. Issues surrounding cultural diversity are fraught with strong feelings, ideas, and beliefs that are often divided along racial/cultural lines. Additionally, two other factors confound these divisions. One is the observation that in human interactions, human differences are generally known and experienced at the level of myths and stereotypes (Hanvey, 1975). The second factor is the pernicious effects of those stereotypes especially as they relate to people whose physical appearances categorize them as members of a racially/culturally different group. Consequently, the need for sensitivity goes beyond an understanding or awareness of the attitudes and feelings of others. Sensitivity also requires an awareness and understanding of one's own self in relation to others.
Journal Title
Institute for Educational Leadership Monograph Series
Volume
2
Issue
2
First Page
57
Last Page
60
Publisher
Institute for Educational Leadership, University of Northern Iowa
City
Cedar Falls, IA
Copyright
©1991 Institute for Educational Leadership, College of Education, and University of Northern Iowa
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Recommended Citation
Sims, Johnnie
(1991)
"Issue Two: The Importance of Sensitivity in Dealing with Cultural Diversity in Education [Sims],"
Institute for Educational Leadership Monograph Series: Vol. 2:
No.
2, Article 16.
Available at:
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/iel_monographs/vol2/iss2/16
