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Danielle's picture

Understanding Diversity

 

How can we accurately define diversity when the human race is completely heterogeneous? The homogeneity that we as humans share is that we are all from the same species and all possess a degree of biological order that supersedes other organisms. As people we continuously search for the one characteristic or belief that makes us homogenous. In actuality we are all completely different from one another. Although we have similar biological components, the way in which we respond to different drug treatments and interact in our daily lives proves that our biological machinery is very heterogeneous. Even within a group of what we call homogenous individuals there is some degree of variability. This is especially noted in identical twins who both have the same genetic material but end up developing into two very distinct individuals. Our understanding of what diversity is and how it is identified is distorted.

 

We think of diversity as many sub-groups all possessing homogenous qualities and traits, and when all combined we have one large diverse group. The concept of diversity, groups people based on similarities but neglects the fact that we as individuals are all extremely diverse. Each person is their own sub-group of diversity making us an extremely heterogeneous species. The bio-diversity noted among humans, sets them apart from other species that possess homogenous physical and biological characteristics.

 

I think the idea behind our fascination with diversity is strongly correlated with our highly ordered biological machinery. As humans we feel more comfortable placing everything into categories since we are such a highly ordered species. Within ourselves, we have the innate desire to group people based on specific characteristics that we value as individuals.

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