Why does it matter? Cultural diversity and biases have been a part of our thinking and planning. What to what extent do we really implement these ideas and are we really doing it effectively. It seems that those of us who are "Americanalized" are usually the ones planning events and curriculum. That in and of itself creates a bias. How can we fully understand and know what is best and most respectful to a certain culture if we do not "own" that culture? It seems that we think if we create a project on different cultures, have a culture fair, or culture food day... we are somehow validating these different cultures. When in reality, we may be creating more cultural biases and disrespect than we realize.
The significance of the text is that it brings these ideas and problems to our doorstep. The examples mentioned in the articles are common practices found in most communities and schools. But did we ever stop to think about the implecations of these events? I don't think we do because we are not fully able to understand the underlying cultural beliefs of a place we do not understand.
Now the complex part... I hesitate to even bring this up, but it is necessary if I am to fully communicate my point on this. What obligation do we have to different cultures here in America? Ouch... that sounds bias in itself. But if families are moving here from other countries and have a different fundamental culture, would they expect that they will be bombarded by the cultures of the country they are moving to? This is not to say that we should not promote cultural acceptance and respect for those that are different from us. But how far can we go in bringing cultural awareness to the table if we do not understand all the different culutres ourselves? What role do we have in this and can we actually give justice to cultures that are not our own?
Comments (2)
I think this is a situation where it's more important to convey a desire to learn about other cultures, rather than a level of proficiency. Isn't that what cultural competency really is? It's those "tentative assumptions" that Alan refers to, plus the open-mindedness and willingness to delve deeper into the cultural exploration process.
BTW, who wrote this?
Posted by marisa | June 15, 2009 6:31 PM
Posted on June 15, 2009 18:31
I don't know who wrote the post above, but there is a certain tone that I think is interesting. The author above writes "This is not to say that we should not promote cultural acceptance and respect for those that are different from us." Implied (quite strongly) is that tose reading this are part of "we" or "us" and that the author sees "us" as fundamentally different from the proverbial them. The author above also writes "What obligation do we have to different cultures here in America?" as though current American culture is something that naturally occured here and has lasted for thousands of years. The phrase "different" from the tone of this writing seems to again strongly imply a unified "us." In other words I believe the writer of this phrase isn't using the word different to connote various different (but equal) cultures, but rather to connote a culture that is different from American culture. I believe that this may have run the risk of using "American Culture" as a stand-in for "majority culture." If America is going to work and last we must always know that American culture will always evolve and that defining "different" cultures is pointless, because there is very little different culturally from a truly pluralistic society.
Alan
Posted by Alan | June 18, 2009 2:04 PM
Posted on June 18, 2009 14:04