other cultures xenophobia and understanding

The world is more interconnected now than ever before, both with technological tools and also with population migrations that are occurring on an unprecedented scale. People who grow up in pluralistic, heterogeneous societies like the United States, India, or Canada take cultural diversity for granted. However, many people around the world live in homogenous societies with little contact with other cultures other than through what they read about or see in media. Plurality in a diverse society does not, however, automatically lead to social harmony or understanding.

In fact, the United States continues to struggle with racist elements in its own society. Places like India that have for centuries been pluralistic also have problems with xenophobia. Discrimination, stereotyping, and suspicion create innumerable psychological and social problems, which can be remedied simply by changing attitudes and norms. Therefore, it is always important to reiterate the need for cultural literacy and cultural competence. Understanding other cultures is beneficial for the individual.

There are several ways individuals benefit from understanding other cultures, One way is through concrete learning about the details of other cultures, such as learning about different customs, belief systems, foods, art forms, or languages. Another way individuals benefit from understanding other cultures is that understanding breeds intelligent and accurate worldviews and perspectives, which is a primary reason why universities encourage studying abroad (Kitsantas, 2004).

Studying abroad and other encounters with other cultures opens the mind to new experiences, taking the individual out of a personal comfort zone and expanding points of view. The personal changes and challenges that come from studying abroad or otherwise experiencing and understanding other cultures is psychologically healthy. Also, any person who does not understand other cultures may not survive in the global market economy. Understanding other cultures is important on a practical, pragmatic level in that it improves ones job prospects and expands opportunities in multiple business industries.

Understanding other cultures does not mean that the individual loses his or her own identity; in fact, identity can be strengthened through cross-cultural contact as the person ceases to assume that his or her culture is the only one, or the most valid one. As Bryan (2014) points out, culture is inherent to identity but resisting diversity or refusing to understand other cultures leads to stagnation on a personal and collective level.

Discrimination is a sign of mental rigidity and a lack of intelligence, whereas diversity has been proven to “promote intellectual growth,” (Bryan, 2014, p. 12). Understanding other cultures can even lead to neurological changes in the brain, improving the way we think, conceptualize the world, and solve problems (Baron-Cohen, Tager-Flusberg & Lombardo, 2013). Students who understand other cultures even perform better in school: “when students' cultures are understood and appreciated by teachers, the students do better in school,” (“Understanding Culture and Diversity in Building Communities,” n.d.).

Understanding other cultures means thinking outside of the box. “Learning about other cultures allows you to move outside your own bubble, and find new ways of thinking, and new ways of approaching problems,” (Marquit, n.d.). Whereas insularity and xenophobia result from, and contribute to, closedmindness, understanding other cultures stimulates creative and critical thinking. In addition to the personal and psychological benefits of understanding other cultures, cross-cultural understanding is also important for society as a whole.

Understanding other cultures is more important now than ever before because the global market economy depends on it. Building global teams is critical for solving global problems, from economic crises and humanitarian disasters to climate change and natural disasters. “If cultural groups join forces, they will be more effective in reaching common goals, than if each group operates in isolation,” (“Understanding Culture and Diversity in Building Communities,” n.d.). Collaboration with people from other cultures also leads to better decisions.

If only one homogenous group makes all the decisions without input or understanding of other cultures, the outcomes of their decisions cannot be properly extrapolated to the rest of the world. Those decisions will reflect the belief systems, values, and needs only of the one culture. It is genuinely impossible to make good decisions about global issues from within a homogenous group.

“People from different cultures have to be included in decision-making processes in order for programs or policies to be effective,” (“Understanding Culture and Diversity in Building Communities,” n.d.). International companies have been learning the value of diversity in their teams, too. For example, a team comprised of people from different cultures is much more able to help the company break into new markets. Understanding other cultures also adds value to the world, through shared arts, music, and literature.

Not understanding other cultures is like eating the same thing again and again, day.