THEME: ENGLISH LANGUAGE: UNIFYING COMMUNITIES AMIDST CULTURAL DIVERSITY

What language do you speak? What is your ethnic identity? What is

your culture?

Culture is that which shapes us; it shapes our identity and influences
our behaviour. Culture is our “way of being,” more specifically, it refers
to the shared language, beliefs, values, norms, behaviors, and
material objects that are passed down from one generation to the
next.

In the Philippines, we have numerous races and each race

encompasses a multitude of different ethnic groups. An ethnic group
refers to people who are closely related to each other through
characteristics such as culture, language, and religion. There are
many ethnic groups in the Philippines, due in large part to its
immigrant population; each of these groups contributes to
Philipippines’s cultural heritage. From Spanish to Americans, our
country is one of the most diverse nations in terms of culture.

What does it mean to be “culturally diverse”?

The term “culturally diverse” is often used interchangeably with the

concept of “multiculturalism.” Multiculturalism is defined as:

“…a system of beliefs and behaviors

that recognizes and respects the presence of all diverse groups in
an organization or society, acknowledges and values their socio-
cultural differences, and encourages and enables their continued
contribution within an inclusive cultural context which empowers all
within the organization or society.4

Sociologist Dr. Caleb Rosado, who specializes in diversity and

multiculturalism, described seven important actions involved in the
definition of multiculturalism:5
 recognition of the abundant diversity of cultures;
 respect for the differences;

 acknowledging the validity of different cultural expressions and

contributions;
 valuing what other cultures offer;

 encouraging the contribution of diverse groups;

  empowering people to strengthen themselves and others to
achieve their maximum potential by being critical of their own
biases; and
 celebrating rather than just tolerating the differences in order to
bring about unity through diversity.
Why is cultural diversity a “good thing”?

Culture is the lens with which we evaluate everything around us; we

evaluate what is proper or improper, normal or abnormal, through our
culture. If we are immersed in a culture that is unlike our own we may
experience culture shock and become disoriented when we come into
contact with a fundamentally different culture. People naturally use
their own culture as the standard to judge other cultures; however,
passing judgment could reach a level where people begin to
discriminate against others whose “ways of being” are different than
their own—essentially, we tend to fear that which we do not
understand.

Cultural diversity is important because our country, workplaces, and

schools increasingly consist of various cultural, racial, and ethnic
groups. We can learn from one another, but first we must have a level
of understanding about each other in order to facilitate collaboration
and cooperation. Learning about other cultures helps us understand
different perspectives within the world in which we live, and helps
dispel negative stereotypes and personal biases about different
groups.

In addition, cultural diversity helps us recognize and respect “ways of

being” that are not necessarily our own, so that as we interact with
others we can build bridges to trust, respect, and understanding
across cultures. Furthermore, this diversity makes our country a more
interesting place to live, as people from diverse cultures contribute
language skills, new ways of thinking, new knowledge, and different
experiences.

How can you support cultural diversity?

 Increase your level of understanding about other cultures by
interacting with people outside of your own culture—meaningful
relationships may never develop simply due to a lack of
understanding.
  Avoid imposing values on others that may conflict or be
inconsistent with cultures other than your own.
 When interacting with others who may not be proficient in
English, recognize that their limitations in English proficiency in
no way reflects their level of intellectual functioning.
 Recognize and understand that concepts within the helping
profession, such as family, gender roles, spirituality, and
emotional well-being, vary significantly among cultures and
influence behavior.
 Within the workplace, educational setting, and/or clinical setting,
advocate for the use of materials that are representative of the
various cultural groups within the local community and the
society in general.
 Intervene in an appropriate manner when you observe others
engaging in behaviors that show cultural insensitivity, bias, or
prejudice.
 Be proactive in listening, accepting, and welcoming people and
ideas that are different from your own.6
Cultural diversity supports the idea that every person can make a
unique and positive contribution to the larger society because of,
rather than in spite of, their differences. Imagine a place where
diversity is recognized and respected; various cultural ideas are
acknowledged and valued; contributions from all groups are
encouraged; people are empowered to achieve their full potential; and
differences are celebrated.
“Diversity is the one true thing we have in common.
Celebrate it every day.”