Positive Ways of Thinking About Cultural Diversity

Cultural Diversity: What Is It?

Cultural diversity is that quality or characteristic of any society, community, group or family that consists of a variety of cultural and/or ethnic backgrounds. Thus, for example, a nation like America could be said to be culturally diverse because it is represented by various cultures and ethnicities throughout the land. At the same time, being culturally diverse is also about showing respect and appreciation for and towards the various cultural and ethnic groups within the community. Diversity is something that is recognized rather than something is suppressed or ignored. True cultural diversity is not just the physical make-up of the group of community but also the state of mind of the members of that group regarding how they think about and view diversity. Yet, as DiMaggio and Bryson (2000) show, cultural diversity remains a controversial subject for some.

One of the main challenges of cultural diversity is the idea that all cultures should be respected and appreciated in their own right. Opponents of "political correctness," for instance, view cultural diversity as a means of getting rid of "Western culture" and its attendant values (DiMaggio, Bryson, 2000, p. 2). Others view cultural diversity as a means of informing a community/society about its heritage, differences, similarities and ethnic/cultural history: it is an acceptance and celebration of the reality that not everyone in society comes from white, protestant, anglo-saxon backgrounds.

Day (2007) points out that another challenge related to cultural diversity is the practical challenge of understanding its implications in places like the workplace, where different and varying sensibilities and sensitivities can be impactful on the organizational culture, worker morale, and overall spirit of the workplace. Understanding how to navigate the pathways of a culturally diverse workplace environment so as to be respectful and appreciate over the various ethnic backgrounds of members of the workplace while at the same time expressing a unified vision of workplace mission can be a difficult task for some (Day, 2007).

Day (2007) recommends taking a developmental approach to dealing with cultural diversity in the workplace. A developmental approach is one in which the cultural differences of the workplace are viewed as opportunities for learning and developing acceptance for on another's ethnic and cultural beliefs and attitudes. This is a more positive approach than the alternative defensive approach, which views differences as obstacles and hazards that are to be avoided. Once it is accepted that uniformity in background is not going to be the case in most workplaces, a true development process can be implemented that can help all team members within an organization to come together more effectively through learning and acceptance.

Turner-Vorbeck (2005) states that another way to overcome the challenge of cultural diversity is to expand the way we think about diversity. In fact, cultural diversity does not have to be something that is found in groups -- it can also be found within individual families. Family diversity is one way to explore what it means to be multicultural as many families have a multi-ethnic background to them. By pointing this out in schools, teachers can ease students into the idea that cultural diversity is actually more prevalent than some think, and that it is not really just a "politically correct" phenomenon that some accuse it of being. Multicultural homes and families are all around us and are already a part of our lives.

How I face the issue of cultural diversity is in the same manner as that recommended above. I view every occasion in life as an opportunity to learn more about individuals, their backgrounds, and what culture means to them. Some people are very informed about their own personal cultures and ethnic backgrounds, and some are not as informed. I accept that not all people value beliefs and traditions in the same manner and degree and I look forward to understanding and appreciating how each person is different. I also recognize that by accepting each person and culture in its own right, I seek to validate everyone's existence based on the fact that we are all human and have the right to share in the life that is all around us. There is no need to imagine that one culture or ethnicity is better than another -- each has good points and bad points.