University Goal
"Students will enhance their appreciation for and understanding of the rich complexity of the human experience through the study of differences in ethnic and cultural perspectives, class, race, gender, sexual orientation, and ability."
Goal Interpretation
"It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength."
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Out of all of the University Studies goals, this one resonates very heavily with me. To appreciate the diversity of the human experience is to recognize that people's strengths and weaknesses are all derived from where they come from, how they grew up and the experiences they've had as a result of who they are, where they're from, their race, religion sexual orientation, gender identity, etc. Understanding and appreciating our differences is a key factor in learning from each person we encounter, and reaping the benefits of a diverse environment.
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Evidence of Learning & Growth
The African-American Community of Multnomah County (Presentation)
This assignment highlighted the appreciation of the diversity of the human experience through highlighting how African-Americans in Multnomah County experience life compared to other races. This assignment enhanced my knowledge of the diversity of the human experience across race. In this project, I primarily focused on African-American children's relationship with the Child Welfare System. I learned that African-American children are three times more likely to enter foster care than White children, and, through parts of the presentation which my fellow group members were responsible for, I learned how this affects various aspects of African-American children in Multnomah County's lives.
Download my presentation of the African American Community of Multnomah County! | |
File Size: | 1102 kb |
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Cinderella Revisited (Summary Essay)
The reading of the work that was required for this essay, "My Best White Friend" by Patricia J. Williams, allowed me to reflect on what it means to be a black woman in a white woman's world, in terms of standards of beauty. This assignment allowed us to look at how people of different races and ethnicities can experience the same situation in completely different ways, dating, putting on make-up, and trying to appear as attractive in particular. The entire purpose of this piece of writing, along with the assignment was to observe and analyze diversity in the human experience, and appreciate the difficulties and/or privileges which lie within varying human experiences.
Download my essay on "Cinderella Revisited!" | |
File Size: | 57 kb |
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The Residue Years (Book Review)
The book "The Residue Years" contributed to my appreciation and knowledge of the diversity of the human experience because it contributed a different perspective on life in Portland, the whitest city in the country. Writing this book review required me to reflect on the life experiences of Champ and look at them in comparison to the experience of the general Portland demographic.
Download by book review on "The Residue Years!" | |
File Size: | 56 kb |
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DIVERSITY IN ACTION: Kathleen Cleaver on Natural Hair
This video of Kathleen Cleaver, former member of the Black Panther Party, talks about the importance of black people appreciating their natural hair. It is important to embrace cultural differences and appreciate different culture's varying forms of self-expressions. |
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DIVERSITY IN ACTION: The Gay Immigrant Experience
This video depicts the experience of both being gay as well as being an immigrant. It is important to acknowledge how experiences which differ from what is perceived as "normal" intersect, and what challenges may come from those differences. |
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