Cultural Soup: A Diverse Recipe Analysis
Cultural Soup: A Diverse Recipe
Kevin W.
July 3rd, 2013
Kevin W.
July 3rd, 2013
Cultural Soup: A Diverse Recipe What would it take to ensure a global network of security? What is needed to provide an individually specific and sufficient form of healthcare to all persons? How can the world carry a message of peace and unity throughout all of humanity? What would that even look like? There is no need for these images to only appear across the face of the earth in the form of illusions or mirages. A clearer picture can be seen through the lens of cultural awareness; and through the knowledge that comes along with cultural competence. The focus of the cultural issue, which surrounds cultural diversity, …show more content…
continues to grow in importance across the world with each passing day. Unfortunately, a lack of vision, turning a blind eye, and a blurred perception only keeps the problems that encompass these cultural issues growing as well. Therefore, a world-wide intervention that addresses the significant need and reasons for an increased multicultural awareness is essential throughout these diverse populations. The reasons for this need can be as basic as clearing up misconceptions about neighbors, or gaining a clearer understanding of each individual; and as broad as securing global economies, or promoting a tangible and effective concept for world peace. The implications that refer to culture go beyond the need for simply understanding a specific race or ethnic minority, and reach deep into the human condition or psyche that defines the individual characteristics of human nature, beliefs, and worldviews.
The definitions of culture are growing increasingly obscure or blurred as new mutations of culture are constantly evolving. These new strands of culture develop by crossing the cultural boundaries; and travel through the routes of interconnected global economies, interracial parenting, and acculturation – the borrowing and adapting of traits from another culture. Additionally, external conditions of the surrounding environment, as well as gender, lifestyle choices, and the internal effects of time and/or physical decay, further contribute to a multicultural and diverse society. Therefore, multicultural competence and awareness is crucial for the well-being of any population. Cultural competence and awareness must rise above the hierarchies of politics; transcend the levels of helping professions; and reach throughout the whole of societies to promote unity amidst differences, bridge across worldviews and global economies, and carry a message of peace to all neighbors, societies, and …show more content…
nations. Understanding the needs for, and benefits from, cultivating culturally aware individuals, employers, clinicians, and other officials or servants in the community is a relatively easy concept to grasp. Multicultural competence, on the other hand, is an imperative and ongoing process that is not easily attained. Nevertheless, the need for this kind of competence continues to be on the rise throughout the lines of helping professions and communities. Therapeutic environments and counseling/clinical settings are positively influenced in a number of ways when the clinicians are culturally competent in the interactions with the populations or clients to which they serve. One of the primary benefits created out of cultural awareness has to do with the ability for taking on holistic approaches which are cable enough to attend to all the aspects of each unique individual or client. Another primary benefit is in the potential for forming healthy, interpersonal, and trusting relationships which foster therapeutic outcomes across the spectrum of clinical settings. These are well-known foundational truths within the helping professions. However, competent practitioners and therapeutic communities also know that they must work the entirety of their careers trying to achieve and understand these truths. Moreover, the totality of this ongoing process, understood as cultural competence and awareness without bias, is a concept and a process which proves, time and time again, to be impossible for anyone to fully acquire. Nevertheless, the previous statement concerning the impossibility for acquiring total cultural competence should not discourage the clinician, the helping professional, or those serving in some way throughout the community. Studies have shown that even the simplest of increases in cultural competence and awareness can have monumental effects on the likelihood for forming trusting and healthy relationships. These culturally competent relationships, in turn, encourage successful objectives across a variety of helping fields and diverse populations. Culture immersion experiences and cross-cultural knowledge; even some as basic as learning a second language that is common or predominant in the community; can greatly influence helping professionals’ competence, and positively affect therapeutic relationships and outcomes when working with diverse populations (Ivers p. 51 par. 2). On the other hand, a minor deficit in cultural awareness may have an equally profound, but opposing or negative effect in the formation of trusting relationships. Too often in the counseling setting, the simple dismissal, or refusal to acknowledge the importance of race and culture by both the clinician and the client, can literally destroy the chances for forming a therapeutic alliance (Vedantam p. 3 par. 14). Therefore, the topic of cultural competence and/or awareness begins to prove useful and beneficial at the most basic of human interactions or relationships. Indeed, this should be an encouraging fact for the entire society and every individual. Every individual who learns about cross-cultural issues and the growing diversities among various populations; then tries to put this information to use, can benefit others and themselves with this newfound knowledge. These multicultural issues, which cut virtually through every situation and setting, enhance the need for awareness and competence; and form the foundation on which the benefits are built. Especially true in the clinical contexts, a cultural overview of each individual allows for the employment of holistic approaches that treat the whole person without excluding the importance of their cultural identities. These multicultural and micro-cultural identities extend far beyond the horizons of ethnic minorities or stereotypes, and dig deeper into the depths of diversity known as gender, age, socioeconomic class, and sexual orientation (Sue p. 5 par. 6-7). The diversity among the men and the women, the young and the old, the rich and the poor, or the heterosexual, the homosexual, and the bisexual also complicate identities across various cultures. Nevertheless, the simple interpretations of another’s life stories through culturally appropriate terms can assist helping professionals promote the rebuilding of trust which may have previously been destroyed elsewhere. Likewise, this plants the seeds that enhance the chances for treatment to continue (Kleinman p. 3 par. 2). This is a basal component that nurtures the helping field, and increases the likelihood for a bountiful, helping harvest to grow. When cultural awareness is full grown, it understands the needs that transcend throughout every individual; and encompasses a global initiative that encourages and/or facilitates further understanding within, but translates around the world. This includes the bridge-building efforts that cross the divides of worldviews to reach the global economies which have become so necessary and prevalent throughout the world today. The architectural structures of cultural competence and awareness further bridge the deep gorges of diversity that often cut through the lands of various societies and nations. The global economies of today, though necessary, simply would not be possible or successful without the implications of cultural awareness, and the role that cultural competence plays in their working formulas. Therefore, to ensure the contemporary ways of life, cultural understanding is not an experiment to be taken lightly. Whether for the individual, or for the entire human race, multicultural proficiency is the cure that ensures mankind’s success and survival. An individual’s understanding of their own worldviews is a central and essential part that contributes to multicultural proficiency. People of every cultural class should take an open, honest, and candid look at their culturally unique characteristics without dismissing the importance of how these characteristics were formed. Some traits may have been solidified through upbringing, conflicts, peer influences, acculturation, or other micro-cultures within and around them. Among all that information that the individual may uncover or discover, the most important first step towards connecting with other diverse groups is the identification of any cultural biases that may be present. The next step is turning away from these biases towards a better understanding and acceptance of others and their diversities. Cultural illiteracy is a problem of epidemic proportions in the United States, especially among the youth in schools. Kenneth Carano states: “As the world is becoming increasingly interconnected, it is imperative that students enhance their understanding of other cultures” (Carano par. 1). Additionally, not only the youth, but also an enormous number of adult individuals suffer from a condition known as ethnocentrism; a view which firmly believes their culture is the only normal and superior culture, and considers all other outside cultures to be abnormal and inferior ones (Carano par. 11). Furthermore, this epidemic is spreading. This is a disease which can be stopped. However, to lessen the potential for a global pandemic, individuals must first be treated one at a time. The health of a multicultural society demands an equality perspective that addresses each individual, gender, ethnic minority, race, and all the other cultural groups and their realities. The basis of each individual culture is outlined by these realities, beliefs, and worldviews. Therefore, a unified equality perspective of societies, and their cultural differences or diversities, is a reliable means for promoting a valiant effort capable to cross the cultural chasms that inhibit unity, or divide communities and nations. The plain and simple fact is that communities are no longer culturally homogeneous. Therefore, citizens of diverse societies should make every effort to provide a sense of stability for the rest of societies’ citizens which can only be born from an acceptance of every culture’s place within a given society (America par. 1-3). Furthermore, for these culturally diverse puzzle pieces to fit together nicely; all the pieces of a complicated and culturally puzzled society must transcend throughout the socio-political spaces surrounding race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion and economic class (Housel par. 3 & 6). Without tapping into the plethora of these diversities, societies would be making a feeble attempt towards cultural competence indeed. The awareness of cultural diversity; and the identifiable or defining characteristics of culture that span as far as the East is from the West, are valuable determinants for the successes and/or failures of global economies, and the messages that foster hope and peace. To encourage the sustainability of success, and broadcast positive messages throughout societies and nations; the potential for misunderstandings, which stem from cultural biases or a lack of knowledge, must be restricted and bound to a minimum. The world is constantly shrinking in boundary, yet forever growing, erupting, and exploding with diversity. Therefore, the potential for conflict, misunderstandings, prejudices, stereotypes and war is a fuse that is always lit. To extinguish the threats and carry the messages which enable peace to span the globe; cultural awareness and multicultural competence is of utmost importance, and a top priority for the health of the civilized world and the cultures which define it. For the procurement of a healthier world increasingly blurred by new and old cultural biases, boundaries, and ineptitudes; cultural awareness is among the most viable, reliable and valuable of possible answers. This question begs for relief from the ever-evolving and mutating systems of beliefs which span the horizons of culture. The goal of cultural competence and awareness may seem unattainable at times. However, the processes and ideals are as simple as a knowledge that evolves with, or alongside, the changing cultures. This type of evolution is essential for each individual, and for the security and safety of economies and communities. Contemporary heterogeneous cultures across nations today contribute to the liberation of global economies; nevertheless, these economies are bound to failure without a multicultural awareness that appeals to the multi-ethnic, multi-lingual and culturally specific or diverse consumers in which they are trying to reach. (Harindranath par. 1-2). Therefore, economic securities are dependent upon an increasing cultural competence and awareness that contribute to the increases associated with a global marketing trend. It is imperative to inhibit the growth of culturally incompetent or inept parasites that suck the life out of the world. The potential for wars and the vulnerability of peace is at the brink of red-lining or flat-lining; whichever view is preferred. In other words; the individual, the community, the nations, and the world’s populations are in desperate need of some culturally critical CPR. If a satellite camera could look into the needs of mankind, it would see the need of cultural awareness at every level. In fact, the understanding and acceptance of cultural diversities that surround every individual would appear to be the only surefire way to secure peace and safety. “Clashes of civilizations [culturally diverse societies, nations and populations] are the greatest threat to world peace, and an international order based on civilizations [cultural awareness and/or multicultural competence] is the surest safeguard against [conflict] world war” (Jennings par. 1). The uniqueness of the human race, and the cultural evolution of existence, may define diverse individuals and humanity in general. However, Bilkisu brilliantly sums up the importance of multicultural awareness that supports this point in the following way: “These differences are not supposed to be a source of conflict, but rather for us to know and understand one another” (Bilkisu par. 3). That previous quote, taken out of the Africa News Source, probably cannot be said any better. Nevertheless, if culture could speak for peace, it would be inspired to increase cultural proficiency everywhere, which would lessen the chances for conflict, and establish a sense of harmony throughout the entire world. In conclusion, any person who desires to increase their cultural awareness for the sake of the individual, the society, and the world at large; there are plenty of resources available to achieve this goal. Furthermore, if it could; the world would stand up and applaud the effort. The many reasons for culturally competent individuals are expressed throughout this research paper in the hopes for inspiring every individual, community, and nation to chase after this and other culturally specific goals. Just imagine the healthier world that could rise out of any single culturally competent aspect being put into practice by even a small portion of individuals. The benefits that outline cultural awareness are endless; and the importance for having this thorough understanding is explicit. Competence is the underlying means for securing healthier individuals throughout a healthier world. Awareness is the route by which future global economies are secured, and world peace is sustainable. Any neighbor can look in their back yard, or tune in to CNN, and see that this importance is tangible; and that the tension arising from cultural incompetence can often be cut with a knife. What will it take for eyes to be opened? Will it take more senseless acts of terrorism, religious persecutions, or political uprisings? Will blind eyes be finally opened after the potential breakout of a World War III? A culturally competent world at this point may be far too late for the safety of the entire world. Therefore, the beneficial effects of awareness, which could be continually multiplied, far outweigh the time and commitment it may take. Additionally, the consequences of incompetence could be disastrous! Moreover, the balance of the scale is already heavily tipped towards a potential disaster. If there is an easier or more efficient way to avert disaster; then what is it? Coexistence is not an option. Coexistence with cultural awareness and competence is mandatory to ensure humanity’s way of life and humankind’s future. Purpose knows no limits, and continually evolves as culture does. Therefore, individuals beware! Become culturally aware; be a part of all that is unique; and be a part of the solution, not the problem.
Works Cited
Ivers, Nathaniel N. "The Effect Of Ethnicity On Multicultural Competence." Journal Of Professional Counseling: Practice, Theory & Research 39.2 (2012): 40-52. Academic Search Premier. Web. 31 May 2013.
Vedantam, Shankar. "Racial Disparities found in Pinpointing Mental Illness." The Washington Post: 0. Jun 28 2005. ProQuest. Web. 31 May 2013.
Sue, Stanley, et al.
"The case for cultural competency in psychotherapeutic interventions." Annual review of psychology 60 (2009): 525.
Kleinman, Arthur, and Peter Benson. "Anthropology in the clinic: the problem of cultural competency and how to fix it." PLoS medicine 3.10 (2006): e294.
Carano, Kenneth T. "Passport To Cultural Enrichment: The Peace Corps World Wise Schools Experience." Social Studies 100.4 (2009): 187-192. OmniFile Full Text Select (H.W. Wilson). Web. 19 June 2013.
"Multicultural society creates a new reality." America 17 Oct. 2011: 7. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 19 June 2013.
Housel, Rebecca1. "Sex And Disability." Journal Of American Culture 36.2 (2013): 154. OmniFile Full Text Select (H.W. Wilson). Web. 19 June 2013.
Harindranath, Ramaswami. "The cultural politics of metropolitan and vernacular lifestyles in India." Media International Australia incorporating Culture and Policy May 2013: 147+. Academic OneFile. Web. 19 June 2013.
Jennings, Lane. "The Clash Of Civilizations." Futurist 31.(1997): 5-6. OmniFile Full Text Select (H.W. Wilson). Web. 19 June 2013.
"A Global Peace Forum [analysis]." Africa News Service 30 May 2013. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 19 June
2013.
Kevin W.
July 3rd, 2013
Kevin W.
July 3rd, 2013
Cultural Soup: A Diverse Recipe What would it take to ensure a global network of security? What is needed to provide an individually specific and sufficient form of healthcare to all persons? How can the world carry a message of peace and unity throughout all of humanity? What would that even look like? There is no need for these images to only appear across the face of the earth in the form of illusions or mirages. A clearer picture can be seen through the lens of cultural awareness; and through the knowledge that comes along with cultural competence. The focus of the cultural issue, which surrounds cultural diversity, …show more content…
continues to grow in importance across the world with each passing day. Unfortunately, a lack of vision, turning a blind eye, and a blurred perception only keeps the problems that encompass these cultural issues growing as well. Therefore, a world-wide intervention that addresses the significant need and reasons for an increased multicultural awareness is essential throughout these diverse populations. The reasons for this need can be as basic as clearing up misconceptions about neighbors, or gaining a clearer understanding of each individual; and as broad as securing global economies, or promoting a tangible and effective concept for world peace. The implications that refer to culture go beyond the need for simply understanding a specific race or ethnic minority, and reach deep into the human condition or psyche that defines the individual characteristics of human nature, beliefs, and worldviews.
The definitions of culture are growing increasingly obscure or blurred as new mutations of culture are constantly evolving. These new strands of culture develop by crossing the cultural boundaries; and travel through the routes of interconnected global economies, interracial parenting, and acculturation – the borrowing and adapting of traits from another culture. Additionally, external conditions of the surrounding environment, as well as gender, lifestyle choices, and the internal effects of time and/or physical decay, further contribute to a multicultural and diverse society. Therefore, multicultural competence and awareness is crucial for the well-being of any population. Cultural competence and awareness must rise above the hierarchies of politics; transcend the levels of helping professions; and reach throughout the whole of societies to promote unity amidst differences, bridge across worldviews and global economies, and carry a message of peace to all neighbors, societies, and …show more content…
nations. Understanding the needs for, and benefits from, cultivating culturally aware individuals, employers, clinicians, and other officials or servants in the community is a relatively easy concept to grasp. Multicultural competence, on the other hand, is an imperative and ongoing process that is not easily attained. Nevertheless, the need for this kind of competence continues to be on the rise throughout the lines of helping professions and communities. Therapeutic environments and counseling/clinical settings are positively influenced in a number of ways when the clinicians are culturally competent in the interactions with the populations or clients to which they serve. One of the primary benefits created out of cultural awareness has to do with the ability for taking on holistic approaches which are cable enough to attend to all the aspects of each unique individual or client. Another primary benefit is in the potential for forming healthy, interpersonal, and trusting relationships which foster therapeutic outcomes across the spectrum of clinical settings. These are well-known foundational truths within the helping professions. However, competent practitioners and therapeutic communities also know that they must work the entirety of their careers trying to achieve and understand these truths. Moreover, the totality of this ongoing process, understood as cultural competence and awareness without bias, is a concept and a process which proves, time and time again, to be impossible for anyone to fully acquire. Nevertheless, the previous statement concerning the impossibility for acquiring total cultural competence should not discourage the clinician, the helping professional, or those serving in some way throughout the community. Studies have shown that even the simplest of increases in cultural competence and awareness can have monumental effects on the likelihood for forming trusting and healthy relationships. These culturally competent relationships, in turn, encourage successful objectives across a variety of helping fields and diverse populations. Culture immersion experiences and cross-cultural knowledge; even some as basic as learning a second language that is common or predominant in the community; can greatly influence helping professionals’ competence, and positively affect therapeutic relationships and outcomes when working with diverse populations (Ivers p. 51 par. 2). On the other hand, a minor deficit in cultural awareness may have an equally profound, but opposing or negative effect in the formation of trusting relationships. Too often in the counseling setting, the simple dismissal, or refusal to acknowledge the importance of race and culture by both the clinician and the client, can literally destroy the chances for forming a therapeutic alliance (Vedantam p. 3 par. 14). Therefore, the topic of cultural competence and/or awareness begins to prove useful and beneficial at the most basic of human interactions or relationships. Indeed, this should be an encouraging fact for the entire society and every individual. Every individual who learns about cross-cultural issues and the growing diversities among various populations; then tries to put this information to use, can benefit others and themselves with this newfound knowledge. These multicultural issues, which cut virtually through every situation and setting, enhance the need for awareness and competence; and form the foundation on which the benefits are built. Especially true in the clinical contexts, a cultural overview of each individual allows for the employment of holistic approaches that treat the whole person without excluding the importance of their cultural identities. These multicultural and micro-cultural identities extend far beyond the horizons of ethnic minorities or stereotypes, and dig deeper into the depths of diversity known as gender, age, socioeconomic class, and sexual orientation (Sue p. 5 par. 6-7). The diversity among the men and the women, the young and the old, the rich and the poor, or the heterosexual, the homosexual, and the bisexual also complicate identities across various cultures. Nevertheless, the simple interpretations of another’s life stories through culturally appropriate terms can assist helping professionals promote the rebuilding of trust which may have previously been destroyed elsewhere. Likewise, this plants the seeds that enhance the chances for treatment to continue (Kleinman p. 3 par. 2). This is a basal component that nurtures the helping field, and increases the likelihood for a bountiful, helping harvest to grow. When cultural awareness is full grown, it understands the needs that transcend throughout every individual; and encompasses a global initiative that encourages and/or facilitates further understanding within, but translates around the world. This includes the bridge-building efforts that cross the divides of worldviews to reach the global economies which have become so necessary and prevalent throughout the world today. The architectural structures of cultural competence and awareness further bridge the deep gorges of diversity that often cut through the lands of various societies and nations. The global economies of today, though necessary, simply would not be possible or successful without the implications of cultural awareness, and the role that cultural competence plays in their working formulas. Therefore, to ensure the contemporary ways of life, cultural understanding is not an experiment to be taken lightly. Whether for the individual, or for the entire human race, multicultural proficiency is the cure that ensures mankind’s success and survival. An individual’s understanding of their own worldviews is a central and essential part that contributes to multicultural proficiency. People of every cultural class should take an open, honest, and candid look at their culturally unique characteristics without dismissing the importance of how these characteristics were formed. Some traits may have been solidified through upbringing, conflicts, peer influences, acculturation, or other micro-cultures within and around them. Among all that information that the individual may uncover or discover, the most important first step towards connecting with other diverse groups is the identification of any cultural biases that may be present. The next step is turning away from these biases towards a better understanding and acceptance of others and their diversities. Cultural illiteracy is a problem of epidemic proportions in the United States, especially among the youth in schools. Kenneth Carano states: “As the world is becoming increasingly interconnected, it is imperative that students enhance their understanding of other cultures” (Carano par. 1). Additionally, not only the youth, but also an enormous number of adult individuals suffer from a condition known as ethnocentrism; a view which firmly believes their culture is the only normal and superior culture, and considers all other outside cultures to be abnormal and inferior ones (Carano par. 11). Furthermore, this epidemic is spreading. This is a disease which can be stopped. However, to lessen the potential for a global pandemic, individuals must first be treated one at a time. The health of a multicultural society demands an equality perspective that addresses each individual, gender, ethnic minority, race, and all the other cultural groups and their realities. The basis of each individual culture is outlined by these realities, beliefs, and worldviews. Therefore, a unified equality perspective of societies, and their cultural differences or diversities, is a reliable means for promoting a valiant effort capable to cross the cultural chasms that inhibit unity, or divide communities and nations. The plain and simple fact is that communities are no longer culturally homogeneous. Therefore, citizens of diverse societies should make every effort to provide a sense of stability for the rest of societies’ citizens which can only be born from an acceptance of every culture’s place within a given society (America par. 1-3). Furthermore, for these culturally diverse puzzle pieces to fit together nicely; all the pieces of a complicated and culturally puzzled society must transcend throughout the socio-political spaces surrounding race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion and economic class (Housel par. 3 & 6). Without tapping into the plethora of these diversities, societies would be making a feeble attempt towards cultural competence indeed. The awareness of cultural diversity; and the identifiable or defining characteristics of culture that span as far as the East is from the West, are valuable determinants for the successes and/or failures of global economies, and the messages that foster hope and peace. To encourage the sustainability of success, and broadcast positive messages throughout societies and nations; the potential for misunderstandings, which stem from cultural biases or a lack of knowledge, must be restricted and bound to a minimum. The world is constantly shrinking in boundary, yet forever growing, erupting, and exploding with diversity. Therefore, the potential for conflict, misunderstandings, prejudices, stereotypes and war is a fuse that is always lit. To extinguish the threats and carry the messages which enable peace to span the globe; cultural awareness and multicultural competence is of utmost importance, and a top priority for the health of the civilized world and the cultures which define it. For the procurement of a healthier world increasingly blurred by new and old cultural biases, boundaries, and ineptitudes; cultural awareness is among the most viable, reliable and valuable of possible answers. This question begs for relief from the ever-evolving and mutating systems of beliefs which span the horizons of culture. The goal of cultural competence and awareness may seem unattainable at times. However, the processes and ideals are as simple as a knowledge that evolves with, or alongside, the changing cultures. This type of evolution is essential for each individual, and for the security and safety of economies and communities. Contemporary heterogeneous cultures across nations today contribute to the liberation of global economies; nevertheless, these economies are bound to failure without a multicultural awareness that appeals to the multi-ethnic, multi-lingual and culturally specific or diverse consumers in which they are trying to reach. (Harindranath par. 1-2). Therefore, economic securities are dependent upon an increasing cultural competence and awareness that contribute to the increases associated with a global marketing trend. It is imperative to inhibit the growth of culturally incompetent or inept parasites that suck the life out of the world. The potential for wars and the vulnerability of peace is at the brink of red-lining or flat-lining; whichever view is preferred. In other words; the individual, the community, the nations, and the world’s populations are in desperate need of some culturally critical CPR. If a satellite camera could look into the needs of mankind, it would see the need of cultural awareness at every level. In fact, the understanding and acceptance of cultural diversities that surround every individual would appear to be the only surefire way to secure peace and safety. “Clashes of civilizations [culturally diverse societies, nations and populations] are the greatest threat to world peace, and an international order based on civilizations [cultural awareness and/or multicultural competence] is the surest safeguard against [conflict] world war” (Jennings par. 1). The uniqueness of the human race, and the cultural evolution of existence, may define diverse individuals and humanity in general. However, Bilkisu brilliantly sums up the importance of multicultural awareness that supports this point in the following way: “These differences are not supposed to be a source of conflict, but rather for us to know and understand one another” (Bilkisu par. 3). That previous quote, taken out of the Africa News Source, probably cannot be said any better. Nevertheless, if culture could speak for peace, it would be inspired to increase cultural proficiency everywhere, which would lessen the chances for conflict, and establish a sense of harmony throughout the entire world. In conclusion, any person who desires to increase their cultural awareness for the sake of the individual, the society, and the world at large; there are plenty of resources available to achieve this goal. Furthermore, if it could; the world would stand up and applaud the effort. The many reasons for culturally competent individuals are expressed throughout this research paper in the hopes for inspiring every individual, community, and nation to chase after this and other culturally specific goals. Just imagine the healthier world that could rise out of any single culturally competent aspect being put into practice by even a small portion of individuals. The benefits that outline cultural awareness are endless; and the importance for having this thorough understanding is explicit. Competence is the underlying means for securing healthier individuals throughout a healthier world. Awareness is the route by which future global economies are secured, and world peace is sustainable. Any neighbor can look in their back yard, or tune in to CNN, and see that this importance is tangible; and that the tension arising from cultural incompetence can often be cut with a knife. What will it take for eyes to be opened? Will it take more senseless acts of terrorism, religious persecutions, or political uprisings? Will blind eyes be finally opened after the potential breakout of a World War III? A culturally competent world at this point may be far too late for the safety of the entire world. Therefore, the beneficial effects of awareness, which could be continually multiplied, far outweigh the time and commitment it may take. Additionally, the consequences of incompetence could be disastrous! Moreover, the balance of the scale is already heavily tipped towards a potential disaster. If there is an easier or more efficient way to avert disaster; then what is it? Coexistence is not an option. Coexistence with cultural awareness and competence is mandatory to ensure humanity’s way of life and humankind’s future. Purpose knows no limits, and continually evolves as culture does. Therefore, individuals beware! Become culturally aware; be a part of all that is unique; and be a part of the solution, not the problem.
Works Cited
Ivers, Nathaniel N. "The Effect Of Ethnicity On Multicultural Competence." Journal Of Professional Counseling: Practice, Theory & Research 39.2 (2012): 40-52. Academic Search Premier. Web. 31 May 2013.
Vedantam, Shankar. "Racial Disparities found in Pinpointing Mental Illness." The Washington Post: 0. Jun 28 2005. ProQuest. Web. 31 May 2013.
Sue, Stanley, et al.
"The case for cultural competency in psychotherapeutic interventions." Annual review of psychology 60 (2009): 525.
Kleinman, Arthur, and Peter Benson. "Anthropology in the clinic: the problem of cultural competency and how to fix it." PLoS medicine 3.10 (2006): e294.
Carano, Kenneth T. "Passport To Cultural Enrichment: The Peace Corps World Wise Schools Experience." Social Studies 100.4 (2009): 187-192. OmniFile Full Text Select (H.W. Wilson). Web. 19 June 2013.
"Multicultural society creates a new reality." America 17 Oct. 2011: 7. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 19 June 2013.
Housel, Rebecca1. "Sex And Disability." Journal Of American Culture 36.2 (2013): 154. OmniFile Full Text Select (H.W. Wilson). Web. 19 June 2013.
Harindranath, Ramaswami. "The cultural politics of metropolitan and vernacular lifestyles in India." Media International Australia incorporating Culture and Policy May 2013: 147+. Academic OneFile. Web. 19 June 2013.
Jennings, Lane. "The Clash Of Civilizations." Futurist 31.(1997): 5-6. OmniFile Full Text Select (H.W. Wilson). Web. 19 June 2013.
"A Global Peace Forum [analysis]." Africa News Service 30 May 2013. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 19 June
2013.