Diversity in Human Interactions: The Tapestry of America

by John D. Robinson, Larry C. James

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780195143904
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	08/14/2003
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	9.30(w) x 6.40(h) x 1.10(d)
Lexile:	1380L (what's this?)

About the Author

Georgetown University School of Medicine

Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington

Table of Contents

Contributors
Introduction: Weaving the Tapestry, John D. Robinson and Larry C. James
1. What Difference Does a Difference Make? Societal Privilege, Disadvantage, and Discord in Human Relationships?, Beverly Greene
2. Becoming Americano: Has the Sleeping Giant Awakened?, Miguel A. Ybarra
3. The African Diaspora, A. Toy Caldwell-Colbert, Jessica Henderson-Daniel, and G. Rita Dudley-Grant
4. People of Asian Descent: Beyond Myths and Stereotypes, Asuncion Miteria Austria
5. On Native Soil: The Forgotten Race: American Indians, Diane J. Willis and Dolores Subia BigFoot
6. Na K-anaka Maoli: The Indigenous People of Hawai'i, Cynthia Kanoelani Kenui
7. A Place for God's Children: On Becoming Biracial in America, Dawn L. Cannon
8. The Wisdom of Years: Understanding the Journey of Life, William E. Haley et al.
9. Under a Rainbow Flag: The Diversity of Sexual Orientation, Douglas C. Haldeman and Robin A. Buhrke
10. One God, One Faith, One Humanity, Steven M. Tovian, Bowyer G. Freeman, and Abdul R. Muhammad
11. The Visible and the Invisible, Irene W. Leigh and Patrick J. Brice
12. The Enriching Experience, Samuel M. Turner and Deborah C. Beidel
Index

Editorial Reviews

"Given the richness of the topic, it becomes impossible to include every issue or group in one succinct book. Rather, each chapeter should be thought of as a 'snapshot' of a particular group. Still this insightful group book manages to include much highly useful information, and serves as a valuable aid in better understanding issues of difference. While this book accomplishes its scholarly purpose in describing the many colors of diverse tapestry of America, it was refreshing to find this work accomplished in a colorful manner as well."—APA Division 44 Newsletter, Lisa Orban

"A starting point is needed for someone who is unfamiliar with diversity issues and wants to begin to learn. Diversity in Human Interactions is an excellent starting point...Diversity in Human Interactions was written as an introductory textbook for the study of individual differences, and its purpose is to foster open and frank discussion of the issues surrounding diversity. This book accomplishes this purpose well."— Gordon C. Nagayama Hall, Ph.D., Department of Psychology, University of Oregon

From the Publisher