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| | Diversity Awareness: What's your level?
Use this guide to try to identify at what level of awareness you or your organization may be.
Beginner
- Knows cultural diversity exists.
- Questions the distinctions among different cultures (wonders why so much attention is given to ethnicity, cultures, etc.).
- Believes all human beings have similar interests, needs, etc.
- Does not understand how s/he participates in cultural politics (i.e., the power and status of different groups).
- Experience and training is limited to his/her culture.
- Sees only complaints in most discussions of diversity. Cannot personally identify with issues raised. Does not see how specific issues are related to institutions and society.
- Tends to have difficulty understanding or believing discussions that focus on needs of disadvantaged groups.
- May not be able to identify distinct aspects of culture (music, humor, etc.).
Intermediate
Everything listed under "Beginner" may be present at the "Intermediate" stage, but the person has learned to reconcile those issues, such as:
- Knows cultural diversity is important.
- Understands how s/he participates in cultural politics on a personal basis.
- Has experiences with people from a variety of cultures-but probably has not sustained long-term relationships.
- May think that learning to speak a new language or living in a foreign country provides complete access to a different culture and removes prejudice and bias from his/her decisions and actions.
- May believe that being a member of an oppressed group provides complete knowledge about the experience of other oppressed groups and removes prejudice and bias from his/her decisions and actions.
- May think that personal behavior changes alone are likely to be effective in producing social change.
Advanced
Everything listed under "Beginner" and "Intermediate" may be present at this stage, but the person has learned to reconcile those issues:
- Knows that just belonging to a specific cultural group does not necessarily make for a high level of awareness about diversity.
- Clearly recognizes that comprehensive changes are needed throughout this social structure to eliminate hierarchies of cultural values.
- Has a sophisticated ability to think about and constantly rethink the centrality of various diverse groups and cultures as they pertain to the history and culture of people in this country and throughout the world.
- Is able to see personal and group implications when diversity is discussed.
- Clearly recognizes institutional and systemic challenges. Also understands how these may affect both individuals and groups.
- Is conscious of stereotypes that dismiss and devalue individuals and groups of people.
- Uses critical analysis to identify and rectify more complex, ideological factors constraining oppressed people.
Source: Victoria Amaris, United Way
 Greater Twin Cities United Way
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