Influence Of Cultural Diversity

The United States has been described as a “Nation of Immigrants,” as a “mosaic,” or, more traditionally, as a “melting pot” of cultures. In fact, cultural diversity is a common thread in the fabric of American society. Culture, meaning how a group functions in society, or has been defined as: ...multiple influences, including race, ethnicity, nationality, language, and gender, but it also extends to socioeconomic status, physical and mental ability, sexual orientation, and occupation, among other factors. These influences can collectively be described as ‘socio-cultural factors,’ which shape people’s values, form their belief systems, and motivate their behaviors.

Each culture has distinctive dietary and food beliefs as well as consumption habits, but to the overall culture, food and diet play an important, unique role. “Food plays an important role in the Latino/ Hispanic culture. In some Latino/Hispanic cultures, a good meal will be balanced with food and herbs by “hot” and “cold” types. Those who eat foods whose temperatures are wrong for them can get sick. A good appetite is associated with good health (Cultural Insights…p. 16).” The traditional diet of each culture reflects the geographic location of the country and food availability in terms of vegetables, fruits,

To better communicate with specific groups of people, it is important to clearly understand their values, beliefs, and everyday activities. I chose the Latino/Hispanic community because this group has experienced so much wrong doing against them as well as the Black community. I was always fascinated with their work ethic and ability to with stand all kinds of racial biases. Latinos/Hispanics is the largest “minority” population in the United States. If this trend continues, the Census Bureau estimates that almost one in four U.S. residents will be Latino/Hispanic in the year