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                                                       Fostering Cultural Diversity

Written By: Margaret Celine To

In an increasingly interconnected and globalized world that we all live in, the concept of cultural diversity has emerged as a vital part of societal growth and building an all-around inclusive world. It has not only become a matter of ethical significance but also a strategic necessity for the unity of all humanity. As communities blend and global interactions are more accessible than ever, the richness of diverse cultural backgrounds provides people from different walks of life an insight to other people’s way of living, forming their own personal ideas, perspectives, and opinions. However, cultural diversity and introducing it to different kinds of people from all around the world has been sort of a controversial topic for the past few years. With some people overstepping boundaries and disrespecting cultures, due to ignorance and lack of knowledge. But as the famous saying goes, “ignorance to the law is no excuse”. This essay explores my personal experiences, the importance of fostering cultural diversity, and both the challenges encountered and to be expected.

Personally, I have mostly engaged and encountered cultural diversity through social media and also the people I am surrounded with. In the past decade or so, social media has been undeniably one of, if not the most, influential platforms to ever exist. With just one post or even just a single comment, could drastically change a person’s whole perspective. Fortunately, social media for me has been nothing but beneficial. Through this, I was able to be made aware of the diversity of cultures in different countries. The abundance of traditions and the commitment to preserve their cultures that have been passed down from several generations, is something that I have come to appreciate the beauty of. I am also thankful to have grown up with people who value tradition and culture with great importance. Being half Chinese, I was always taught and made aware of the different traditions I have to keep up with. As early as I can remember, whenever I would go visit my Ama (grandmother) and Angkong’s (grandfather) house, we would be spoken to in Chinese and offered traditional Chinese dishes. Sometimes, we would also burn red Chinese incense, and offer them to our late ancestors at the altar. Additionally, I was also enrolled in a Chinese school from 1st grade up until the 10th grade. There, Chinese classes were not merely a subject, but a whole other curriculum. We had separate subjects, teachers, books, exams, and even report cards. Throughout that time, we were introduced to all the various traditions and practices, the significance of different holidays, and also the vast array of Chinese authors and their works, and I will forever be grateful to have grown up with this kind of environment around me.

         Cultural diversity offers a multitude of perspectives and experiences that promotes innovation and understanding. In our now highly globalized world, where interactions across borders are common, the acceptance of diverse cultural viewpoints is more than vital. Being open and understanding the diverse cultures around us allows us to see more of the beautiful world we live in and form a greater appreciation of the beauty in diversity. This enables societies and organizations to adapt and thrive in an environment where welcoming different traditions and ideas can lead to prominent solutions and creative breakthroughs. Promoting diversity can also help in building more inclusive societies by fostering mutual respect and understanding among people from different backgrounds. Which would be particularly important in reducing social tensions and conflicts, which can stem from cultural misunderstandings and biases. However, this also comes with its own set of challenges. One of which is managing communication barriers. Differences in language, practices, customs, values, and communication styles may lead to future misunderstandings and conflicts. Integration of diverse cultural groups can be challenging, particularly when there are substantial differences in values or practices. Ensuring that all groups feel included and valued requires hard work, as well as well-thought out and inclusive policies, and a strong dedication to addressing potential problems and fostering mutual respect. Lastly, sustaining diversity initiatives is no small task and often requires significant resources. Organizations and societies must allocate time, money, and effort to develop and maintain effective diversity programs, which can be challenging in environments with little to no resources.

 

         As we all know, educational institutions are also highly influential. Especially due to the fact that this is where young kids spend most of their time. In schools, students are taught what is right and what is wrong and whatever is taught in school can be highly influential on how they are going to live the rest of their lives. From the decisions they make, the principles they live by, and how they contribute to society, their educational background always has some sort of influence to that. With that in mind, it is important for educational institutions to include inclusivity in their principles. Schools should not limit themselves to certain races or cultures, but instead, should be open and welcoming to people from different cultural backgrounds. Whether it be faculty, staff, or students, this can reflect on the true philosophies and overall reputation of the said educational institution. Giving people authority and a sense of leadership no matter their race or cultural background, allows students to embrace who they truly are and also creates a safe and respectful environment for everyone. Nowadays, schools are offering various programs such as cultural exchanges and interactions, including our very own, University of San Jose – Recoletos. This is crucial in fostering cultural diversity, since this gives students the opportunity to experience first-hand the cultures and traditions of other nations. Allowing them to broaden their perspectives and understand other people’s cultures on a deeper level. This, in turn, may allow them to gain more respect and a greater appreciation of diversity and differences.

 

         It really is unfortunate to say that even in this now modern world, cultural prejudices and conflicts are still prevalent. A significant instance where unity and togetherness was tested was back in 2020, with the Black Lives Matter Movement. Following the brutal murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis officer, the movement gained international attention and paved the way for protests and riots against systemic racism in the United States. Everyone from all over the world were beginning to educate themselves and other people on their rights as human beings, and the fact that this is not limited to specific races and cultures only. It opened the eyes of so many people and still continues to do ‘till this day. That was definitely a wake-up call for everyone that discrimination and racism is not welcome in this society anymore. However, even though we have come so far with being open to diversity and inclusivity in our society, we still have a long way to go. More people to educate, more rights to fight, and more oppressed to be freed.

 

         I think that cultural diversity is something that is not so easy to accept for some people because of the fact that they are not open to new ideas. They refuse to learn and accept that the only constant thing in this world is change and the harsh truth that their values from the past may not be applicable to modern society anymore. They are so busy with themselves and what they think is right for them that they forget that they are also part of something bigger, a society. To create a better world for all of us and the future generations to come, we have to embrace change and learn to adapt in this ever-changing world we all call home. We should all be open to new ideas and not limit ourselves to what is beneficial only for us. We must all take a holistic approach in life, and always choose to see the bigger picture. The picture that sustains life, and is fair and beneficial to all of humanity. Everyone deserves to be heard and everyone deserves to be understood, no matter the race, religion, or gender. We should not be selfish of what we have and always be open to listen and learn from what other people have to say. Because we as humans need to understand that we know NOTHING at all. We are no better than each other, and as early as one accepts that, the more wisdom they gain and the more meaningful life they get to live.