The concepts of diversity and inclusion in the context of U.S. society and culture, as well as in the context of a global society
In the context of U.S. society and culture, the concept of diversity and inclusion is generally used in relation to the country’s ethnic and racial diversity. American society is diverse in that, it has all sorts of individuals with different ethnic or racial classifications, color, religions, sexual orientations, physical abilities, national origin, age, gender, socioeconomic status, among others. The global society is equally diverse with all these differences among individuals. Inclusion emphasizes on the importance of understanding, appreciating, and owning diversity from personal, interpersonal, national, or global level. Inclusion includes all sets of actions, programs, policies, procedures, and norms that create an ideal environment where the diversity or differences among individuals is appreciated and used in a productive and beneficial manner. Inclusion ensures that every individual is respected, valued, and supported regardless of the race, color, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, etc (Fillion, 2009; Russon, 2003; and Köchler, 1995).
During this period, inequality was common across the different social classes. The society was grouped into three major classes: the upper class or the rich or the wealthy merchants; the middle class; and the poor, who in most cases were the poor whites, the slaves, and the Indians. The workers were completely answerable to their masters and were unequal in all aspects. The working condition was dictated by the masters. The gap between the rich and the poor continued to widen. The upper classes, which were the rulers, made concessions to middle class with no damages to their properties, power, or wealth at the expense of the poor. Women were also not equal to their male counterparts in all aspects.
Influence of Religion on the American Society
The American society is composed of people with diverse religious backgrounds. The impacts of religion on the American society are enormous. The immigrants who were coming into America were from different religions. Religion was the key pillar of the American Revolution and the USA was founded based on religious freedom. In the society, religion has been used as a tool that shapes the human behavior and conduct, based on the laid down religious principles that guide morality and righteousness. It has also been used as a political tool in maintaining political dominance. In science, religion has been the greatest obstacle to innovations, scientific developments and success. In the society today, religion is seen as the most effective and cheapest way of controlling the people.
Reference
Fillion, R. (2009) Multicultural Dynamics and the Ends of History. Ottawa: University of Ottawa Press, 2008.
Köchler, Hans. (1995). "The Concept of the Nation and the Question of Nationalism. The Traditional 'Nation State' versus a Multicultural ‘Community State'," in: Michael Dunne and Tiziano Bonazzi (eds.), Citizenship and Rights in Multicultural Societies. Keele: Keele University Press, pp. 44–51
Religion in American History. Retrieved at http://usreligion.blogspot.com/
Russon, John. (2003) Human Experience. Albany: State University of New York Press, 2003.
USA Today. (2012). Faith & Reason: A conversation between religion, spirituality and ethics. Retrieved at http://content.usatoday.com/communities/Religion/index
