Diversity in Human Interactions The Tapestry of America

by Robinson, John D.; James, Larry C.

• ISBN13: 9780195143904
• ISBN10: 0195143906
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2003-08-14
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

When people who interact do not share the same abilities, orientations, or beliefs, the results are often disastrous, leaving everyone involved feeling misunderstood, underappreciated, and resentful. Why does this happen? How can we find and focus on the strengths in our differences, rather than the weaknesses? How can we accept that our differences bring with them different ways of looking at a problem, and that these different ways of looking at things lead to unique, and sometimes conflicting, solutions to problems? In this volume, editors John D. Robinson and Larry C. James have assembled renowned leaders, scholars, and educators in order to show how these differences can facilitate, not hinder, our progress. They provide thought-provoking and insightful essays about how having different physical abilities, sexual orientations, races, and religions affects how people interact. Each chapter is written by a member of a different group and presents real-life stories about interactions within that group. The universality of these stories allows the reader to empathize with diverse points of view, generating material for group discussion and debate. The book's aim is to enrich interactions among different types of people by exploring how our differences can shape our perceptions of events in particular and life in general by focusing on the strengths in our diversity, rather than the conflicts brought about by it.

Table of Contents

Contributors	ix
Introduction: Weaving the Tapestry	xv
John D. Robinson
Larry C. James
What Difference Does a Difference Make? Societal Privilege, Disadvantage, and Discord in Human Relationships	3	(18)
Beverly Greene
Becoming Americano: Has the Sleeping Giant Awakened?	21	(12)
Miguel A. Ybarra
The African Diaspora	33	(30)
A. Toy Caldwell-Colbert
Jessica Henderson-Daniel
G. Rita Dudley-Grant
People of Asian Descent: Beyond Myths and Stereotypes	63	(14)
Asuncion Miteria Austria
On Native Soil: The Forgotten Race: American Indians	77	(16)
Diane J. Willis
Dolores Subia BigFoot
Na Kanaka Maoli: The Indigenous People of Hawai'i	93	(18)
Cynthia Kanoelani Kenui
A Place for God's Children: On Becoming Biracial in America	111	(12)
Dawn L. Cannon
The Wisdom of Years: Understanding the Journey of Life	123	(22)
William E. Daley
Claire Robb
Yuri Jang
Beth Han
Under a Rainbow Flag: The Diversity of Sexual Orientation	145	(12)
Douglas C. Haldeman
Robin A. Buhrke
One God, One Faith, One Humanity	157	(18)
Steven M. Tovian
Bowyer G. Freeman
Abdul R. Muhammad
The Visible and the Invisible	175	(20)
Irene W. Leigh
Patrick J. Brice
The Enriching Experience	195	(12)
Samuel M. Turner
Deborah C. Beidel
Index	207