Personal Reflection

Cultural competence is a process which begins with a thorough examination of our inner beliefs,
values, biases, and preferences. These are all embedded in our culture and whether we are
aware of them or not they are part of who we are. Recognizing our biases allows us to reflect
and, hopefully, undertake the process of awareness and understanding of differences. To
understand, in this context, is to recognize that there are other values and beliefs different than
ours which we should examine making a conscientious effort to hold judgment.

This checklist is intended to be a reflection tool. Each item should be examined, the feeling/s
that it evokes on us should be analyzed, and the final rating we give to each item should be
genuine. The results are yours to keep and to reflect on any uncomfortable feelings, think about
why you feel that way (cultural and religious values, upbringing, role models…) and what you
can do to know more in order to understand yourself and others.

Mark one of the following for statements 1-16

A (Agree) N (Neutral) D (Disagree)

About Yourself
1. ___ I am aware of stereotypes and assumptions regarding different cultures and peoples.
2. ___ I am aware of societal biases towards certain groups of peoples.
3. ___ I am aware that throughout history some groups have been favored while others have
been discriminated against.
4. ___ I recognize family members and others have had a role in the way I perceive others.
5. ___ I have examined my biases and worked to eliminate them.
6. ___ I respect non-traditional family structures (e.g. divorced parents, same
gender parents, grandparents as caretakers, etc).
7. ___ I do not impose my beliefs and value systems onto others.
8. ___ I believe that it is acceptable to speak a language other than English.
9. ___ I have no problems accepting and sharing ideas with people who are
GBLT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgendered).
10. ___ I do not participate in insensitive comments or behaviors.
11. ___ I am driven to respond to others’ insensitive comments or behaviors.
12. ___ I suspend judgment when others don’t behave in a manner that I am use to.
13. ___ I have no problems accepting and sharing ideas with people with disabilities.
14. ___ I treat all people with respect for their culture, even though it may be different from my
own.

I know that most people who have limited English skills and/or accents:
15. ___ Have the same intellectual capacity as anyone else
16. ___ May be very capable of communicating clearly and effectively in their native
language

Source: Viterbo University – Maribel Bird

Accessed from: https://www.lacrosseconsortium.org/uploads/content_files/files/Personal_Reflection.pdf

 Cultural Competence Self-assessment Awareness Checklist

This self-assessment tool is designed to explore individual cultural competence. Its purpose is to help you to consider your awareness in your interactions
with others. Its goal is to assist you to recognize what you can do to become more effective in working and living in a diverse environment.

Read each entry in the section below and place a check mark in the appropriate column.

This is simply a tool and not a test. Remember that cultural competence is a process, and that learning occurs on a continuum and over a life time. You
will not be asked to show anyone your answers unless you choose to do so. While you complete this assessment, stay in touch with your emotions and
remind yourself that learning is a journey.

Awareness Sometimes/ Fairly Often/ Always/

Never Occasionally Pretty Well Very Well

Value Diversity I view human difference as positive and a cause for

celebration.

Know myself I have a clear sense of my ethnic, cultural, and racial

identity.

I am aware that in order to learn more about others I need to

Share my culture understand and be prepared to share my own culture.

I am aware of my discomfort when I encounter differences in race,

Be aware of areas of discomfort color, religion, sexual orientation, language, and ethnicity.

I am aware of the assumptions that I hold about people of cultures

Check my assumptions different from my own.

I am aware of my stereotypes as they arise and have developed

Challenge my stereotypes personal strategies for reducing the harm they cause.
 Sometimes/ Fairly Often/ Always/
Never Occasionally Pretty Well Very Well
I am aware of how my cultural perspective influences my judgment
Reflect on how my culture informs about what are "appropriate," "normal," or "superior"
my judgment behaviors, values, and communication styles.

I accept that in cross-cultural situations there can be uncertainty

and that uncertainty can make me anxious. It can also mean that
I do not respond quickly and take the time needed to get more
Accept ambiguity information.

I take any opportunity to put myself I place where I can learn about
Be curious differences and create relationships.

Aware of my privilege* (Adapted by

NAPE ITP to suit local needs)
I understand that I will likely be perceived as a person with power
and racial privilege, and that I any not be seen as "unbiased" or as
an ally.

Reflection

At the end of each section add up the number of times you have checked that column
Multiple the number of times you have checked the columns by:
Never - 1
Sometimes/Occasionally - 2
Fairly Often/Pretty Well - 3
Always/Very Well – 4
The more points you have, the more culturally competent you are becoming.

Source: http://static.diversityteam.org/files/414/cultural-competence-self-assessment-checklist.pdf?1342126927

Accessed from: https://www.lacrosseconsortium.org/uploads/content_files/files/Awareness_self_assessment.pdf

 Cultural Competence Self-assessment Knowledge Checklist

This self-assessment tool is designed to explore individual cultural competence. Its purpose is to help you to consider your knowledge in your
interactions with others. Its goal is to assist you to recognize what you can do to become more effective in working and living in a diverse
environment.

Read each entry in the section below and place a check mark in the appropriate column.

This is simply a tool and not a test. Remember that cultural competence is a process, and that learning occurs on a continuum and over a life
time. You will not be asked to show anyone your answers unless you choose to do so. While you complete this assessment, stay in touch with
your emotions and remind yourself that learning is a journey.

Knowledge Sometimes/ Fairly Often/ Always/

Never Occasionally Pretty Well Very Well
Gain from my mistakes I will make mistakes and will learn from them.

I will recognize that my knowledge of certain cultural groups is

limited and commit to creating opportunities to learn more.
Assess the limits of my knowledge

Ask questions I will really listen to the answers before asking another questions.

I know the differences in color, culture, ethnicity, etc. are important

Acknowledge the importance of parts of an individual's identity which they value and so do I. I will
difference not hide behind the claim of "color blindness."

Understand the influence culture I recognize that cultures change over time and can vary from person
can have to person, as does attachment to culture.
 Sometimes/ Fairly Often/ Always/
Never Occasionally Pretty Well Very Well
I recognize that achieving cultural competence involves a
Commit to life-long learning commitment to learning over a life-time.

I recognize that stereotypical attitudes and discriminatory actions

can dehumanize, even encourage violence against individuals
Understand the impact of racism, because of their membership in groups which are different from
sexism, homophobia… myself.

I know my family's story of immigration and assimilation to my

Know my own family history country.

I continue to develop my capacity of reassessing areas where there

Know my limitations are gaps in my knowledge.

Reflection

At the end of each section add up the number of times you have checked that column
Multiple the number of times you have checked the columns by:
Never - 1
Sometimes/Occasionally - 2
Fairly Often/Pretty Well - 3
Always/Very Well - 4
The more points you have, the more culturally competent you are becoming.

Source: http://static.diversityteam.org/files/414/cultural-competence-self-assessment-checklist.pdf?1342126927

Accessed from: https://www.lacrosseconsortium.org/uploads/content_files/files/Knowledge_self_assessment.pdf

 Cultural Competence Self-assessment Skills Checklist

This self-assessment tool is designed to explore individual cultural competence. Its purpose is to help you to consider your skills in your
interactions with others. Its goal is to assist you to recognize what you can do to become more effective in working and living in a diverse
environment.

Read each entry in the section below and place a check mark in the appropriate column.

This is simply a tool and not a test. Remember that cultural competence is a process, and that learning occurs on a continuum and over a life
time. You will not be asked to show anyone your answers unless you choose to do so. While you complete this assessment, stay in touch with
your emotions and remind yourself that learning is a journey.

Skills Sometimes/ Fairly Often/ Always/

Never Occasionally Pretty Well Very Well
I am developing ways to interact respectfully and effectively with
Adapt to different situations individuals and groups.

Challenge discriminatory and/or I can effectively intervene when I observe others behaving in racist
racist behavior and/or discriminatory manner.

I am able to adapt my communication style to effectively

communicate with people who communicate in ways that are
Communicate across cultures different from my own.

Seek out situations to expand my I seek out people who challenge me to maintain and increase the
skills cross-cultural skills I have.

I am actively involved in initiatives, small or big, that promote

Become engaged understanding among members of diverse groups.

Act respectfully in cross-cultural I can act in ways that demonstrate respect for the culture and
situations beliefs of others.
 Sometimes/ Fairly Often/ Always/
Never Occasionally Pretty Well Very Well

I am learning about, and put into practice, the specific cultural

Practice cultural protocols protocols and practices which are necessary for my work.

My colleagues who are people of color, consider me an ally and

Act as an ally know that I will support them with culturally appropriate ways.

I work hard to understand the perspective of others and consult

with my diverse colleagues about culturally respectful and
Be flexible appropriate courses of action.

I know and use a variety of relationship building skills to create

Be adaptive connections with people who are different from me.

Reflection

At the end of each section add up the number of times you have checked that column
Multiple the number of times you have checked the columns by:
Never - 1
Sometimes/Occasionally - 2
Fairly Often/Pretty Well - 3
Always/Very Well - 4
The more points you have, the more culturally competent you are becoming.

Source: http://static.diversityteam.org/files/414/cultural-competence-self-assessment-checklist.pdf?1342126927

Accessed from: https://www.lacrosseconsortium.org/uploads/content_files/files/Skills_self_assessment.pdf