Culture is an intrinsic aspect of humanity, shaping our societies, our interactions, and our individual identities. For community builders, understanding culture isn’t just beneficial—it’s fundamental. In every corner of the world, we engage with diverse populations, each shaped by unique cultural experiences. But Why Is Culture Important? Let’s delve into the multifaceted significance of culture in our lives and communities.
Defining Culture: A Multifaceted Concept
At its core, culture can be defined as the shared experiences of a group or community that mold their understanding of the world. This encompasses a broad spectrum of groups, from those we are born into, such as racial, ethnic, national, gender, class, or religious groups, to those we join or become part of through life experiences. Relocating to a new country, experiencing a shift in economic status, or living with a disability can all contribute to acquiring a new culture or expanding our cultural understanding.
This broad definition highlights a crucial point: we are all multicultural beings. We simultaneously belong to multiple cultures, each influencing our perspectives and behaviors in subtle and profound ways. This intersectionality of cultures within individuals and communities is what makes the study and understanding of culture so rich and vital.
The Profound Importance of Culture in Our Lives
Culture is not merely a backdrop to our lives; it is a dynamic force that actively shapes who we are and how we interact with the world. Understanding why is culture important requires recognizing its pervasive influence across various aspects of human existence.
Culture Shapes Our Identity and Worldview
Culture provides us with a sense of belonging and identity. It dictates the norms, values, beliefs, and traditions we internalize from a young age. These cultural frameworks act as lenses through which we perceive the world, interpret experiences, and form our opinions. Our culture influences everything from our dietary preferences and communication styles to our moral compass and aspirations in life. It’s the bedrock upon which we build our personal and collective identities.
Culture Fosters Social Cohesion and Community
Shared cultural values and practices create a sense of unity and social cohesion within communities. Culture provides common ground, shared rituals, and mutual understandings that bind people together. From celebrating holidays and participating in religious ceremonies to enjoying local music and cuisine, cultural activities reinforce community bonds and foster a sense of collective identity. This social glue is essential for cooperation, mutual support, and the overall well-being of a society.
Culture Drives Innovation and Creativity
While culture provides stability and structure, it also serves as a catalyst for innovation and creativity. Different cultures offer unique perspectives and approaches to problem-solving. Exposure to diverse cultural ideas can spark new ways of thinking, challenge conventional wisdom, and drive progress in various fields, from arts and sciences to technology and business. Cross-cultural interactions and exchanges are fertile grounds for creativity and innovation, enriching human knowledge and progress.
Culture Enhances Personal Growth and Understanding
Engaging with different cultures broadens our horizons and promotes personal growth. It challenges our assumptions, expands our empathy, and enhances our ability to see the world from multiple perspectives. By learning about other cultures, we develop a deeper understanding of ourselves and our own cultural conditioning. This cross-cultural awareness is crucial for fostering tolerance, respect, and meaningful relationships in an increasingly interconnected world.
Culture is Essential for Effective Communication
Culture profoundly impacts communication styles, both verbal and nonverbal. Understanding cultural nuances in language, body language, etiquette, and communication preferences is paramount for effective cross-cultural communication. Misunderstandings arising from cultural differences in communication can lead to conflict and hinder collaboration. Cultural sensitivity in communication is therefore vital in personal relationships, professional settings, and international relations.
Culture Promotes Tolerance and Reduces Conflict
Cultural understanding is a cornerstone of tolerance and peaceful coexistence. By learning about different cultures, we can dismantle stereotypes, challenge prejudices, and foster empathy for those from different backgrounds. Recognizing the validity and value of diverse cultural perspectives helps to bridge divides, reduce conflict, and build more inclusive and harmonious societies. Cultural awareness education plays a crucial role in promoting tolerance and combating discrimination.
Culture is Key to Community Building and Global Collaboration
In an increasingly globalized world, understanding culture is indispensable for effective community building and international collaboration. Whether at the local level, bringing together diverse neighborhoods, or on a global scale, fostering cooperation between nations, cultural competence is a vital skill. Building bridges across cultures allows communities and nations to address shared challenges, leverage diverse strengths, and work together towards common goals.
Understanding Culture for Community Builders: A Deeper Dive
For those engaged in community building, understanding culture moves beyond theoretical appreciation to practical necessity. In today’s diverse world, communities are mosaics of different cultures, religions, languages, and economic backgrounds. To build thriving, inclusive, and effective communities, it is imperative to understand, appreciate, and navigate this cultural diversity.
Why is understanding culture important if we are community builders? Several key reasons underscore its significance:
- Building Powerful Coalitions: Achieving meaningful change requires collective action. When diverse cultural groups unite, their combined strength amplifies their impact. Collaborative efforts across cultural lines are far more effective in achieving shared goals than isolated initiatives.
- Harnessing Unique Strengths and Perspectives: Each culture brings a unique tapestry of strengths, perspectives, traditions, and wisdom. Drawing upon this rich diversity of ideas and approaches enriches community problem-solving and enhances the overall quality of community life. Including non-mainstream groups injects fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to complex challenges.
- Overcoming and Preventing Divisions: Cultural misunderstandings and lack of awareness often fuel racial and ethnic divisions, leading to conflict, lost opportunities, and social fragmentation. By fostering cultural understanding, we can bridge these divides, prevent conflicts, and redirect community resources towards constructive endeavors.
- Ensuring Effective Decision-Making: For policies and programs to be truly effective, they must be inclusive and representative of the communities they serve. Involving people from diverse cultural backgrounds in decision-making processes ensures that solutions are relevant, culturally appropriate, and enjoy broad community support. This participatory approach is fundamental to democratic principles and effective community development.
- Promoting Equity and Justice: Cultural understanding is intrinsically linked to social justice and equity. Recognizing and valuing the cultures of all community members, particularly marginalized groups, is essential for creating a just and equitable society. Studies have shown that when educators understand and appreciate students’ cultures, academic outcomes improve, highlighting the direct positive impact of cultural awareness on equity.
- Gaining a Complete Historical Perspective: Ignoring the contributions and influences of diverse cultural groups on mainstream history and culture leads to an incomplete and inaccurate understanding of society. Learning about the multifaceted cultural heritage of our communities and nations provides a richer and more truthful narrative of our shared past and present.
Envisioning Your Ideal Cultural Community in a Diverse World
As we recognize the profound importance of culture, it’s valuable to envision the kind of cultural community we aspire to build. What does a harmonious, equitable, and vibrant multicultural society look like to you?
Reflect on these thought-provoking questions that shape the ongoing dialogue about diverse societies:
- Unity and Diversity: How can a society maintain cohesion and unity while embracing a multitude of distinct cultural groups?
- Assimilation vs. Integration: Is assimilation necessary for integration, or can individuals and groups maintain their cultural identities while fully participating in the larger society?
- Persistent Inequality: Why does racism and discrimination persist even in societies committed to equality and justice?
- Protecting Cultural Values: How can individuals and families preserve their cultural and moral values while engaging with a broader, diverse culture?
- Structural Barriers: Are there systemic issues within government or economic structures that perpetuate divisions between cultural groups, and how can these be addressed?
- Focus of Civic Engagement: Should individuals prioritize community building within their own cultural group or focus on broader mainstream culture? Where can they have the most significant impact?
- Combating Oppression: Can legislation alone eradicate oppression, or is individual prejudice also a critical factor to address?
- Cultural Retention: Why is it important for immigrant groups to maintain their languages and cultures?
- Addressing Exclusion: What recourse do excluded groups have to challenge marginalization and seek inclusion?
- Protecting Children from Discrimination: How can parents protect their children from racism and other forms of discrimination in diverse societies? Is culturally specific schooling a viable option?
- Individual vs. Systemic Change: If everyone overcame personal prejudices, would societal divisions disappear, or are systemic changes also necessary?
- Overcoming Personal Prejudice: How can individuals actively work to overcome their own biases and prejudices?
- Prejudice in the Modern Era: Is prejudice a relic of the past, or does it continue to be a significant societal challenge?
- Harmony and Understanding: “Why can’t we all just get along?” – What are the underlying complexities behind this seemingly simple question?
These are complex questions that communities grapple with as they strive to build harmonious and inclusive societies. There are no easy answers, and the journey of building multicultural communities is an ongoing process of learning, adaptation, and dialogue.
Consider these questions to help shape your vision of your ideal cultural community:
- Current Community Demographics: Who currently resides in your community, and what cultural diversity already exists?
- Intercultural Relationships: What is the nature of relationships between different cultural groups in your community?
- Community Organization: How well-organized are different cultural groups within the community?
- Intercultural Conflicts: What types of tensions or conflicts exist between cultural groups?
- Intracultural Challenges: Are there internal struggles or challenges within specific cultural groups?
- Open Dialogue: Are community issues, including cultural conflicts, openly discussed and addressed?
- Collaborative Initiatives: Are there existing efforts to build alliances and coalitions across cultural groups?
- Shared Goals: What common issues or goals unite different cultural groups in the community?
Reflecting on these questions can provide a starting point for envisioning and actively building the kind of cultural community you desire.
Practical Tips for Building a Diverse and Inclusive Community
Building a diverse and inclusive community requires conscious effort and a commitment to creating a welcoming and equitable environment for all. Drawing from principles outlined in “Healing into Action” by Cherie Brown and George Mazza, here are helpful tips to guide your community-building efforts:
- Welcome Everyone: Inclusivity begins with ensuring everyone feels valued and welcome. Each individual must feel that their presence and contributions are important and that their culture is respected and appreciated.
- Avoid Guilt and Blame: Shame and guilt are ineffective motivators for change. Focusing on blame can create defensiveness and resistance. Instead, foster positive engagement by appreciating individuals and highlighting the benefits of diversity.
- Recognize Differences; Avoid “Colorblindness”: While treating everyone with respect is essential, ignoring cultural differences can be unintentionally oppressive. Acknowledging and understanding historical and present-day disparities is crucial for addressing the specific needs of diverse individuals and groups. Celebrating differences can strengthen, not divide, communities.
- Embrace Hope and Opportunity: Frame diversity initiatives with optimism and hope. Highlight the potential for growth, innovation, and positive change. Presenting diversity as an opportunity to build upon existing strengths and solve problems collaboratively is more empowering than focusing solely on challenges.
- Build a Collaborative Team: Community change is most effectively achieved through teamwork. Create a core group of individuals committed to diversity and inclusion to share the workload, provide mutual support, and maintain momentum. Collaboration prevents burnout and enhances the collective impact of diversity initiatives.
- Start with Existing Diversity: Recognize and leverage the diversity that already exists within seemingly homogenous groups. Explore differences in backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives related to factors such as religion, socioeconomic status, or family structures. This approach creates a foundation for broader inclusivity and fosters a climate that values diverse perspectives.
In Summary
Understanding why is culture important is paramount for individuals and communities alike. Culture shapes our identities, fosters social bonds, drives innovation, enhances personal growth, facilitates communication, promotes tolerance, and is essential for effective community building and global collaboration.
Building diverse and inclusive communities is an ongoing journey that requires commitment, understanding, and collaborative action. By embracing cultural diversity, we can create stronger, more equitable, and more vibrant societies for all.
This is just the beginning of the journey towards building truly diverse and inclusive communities. Further exploration of topics such as self-cultural awareness, cross-cultural relationship building, allyship, overcoming internalized oppression, and creating multicultural organizations are crucial steps in this ongoing process. Each of us has the power to contribute to building communities where diversity is not just tolerated but celebrated as a source of strength and enrichment.
Contributor
Marya Axner
Resources
Online Resources
Brown University Training Materials: Cultural Competence and Community Studies: Concepts and Practices for Cultural Competence The Northeast Education Partnership provides online access to PowerPoint training slides on topics in research ethics and cultural competence in environmental research. These have been created for professionals/students in environmental sciences, health, and policy; and community-based research. If you are interested in receiving an electronic copy of one the presentations, just download their Materials Request Form (found on the main Training Presentations page under “related files”), complete the form, and email it to [email protected].
The Center for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services collects and describes early childhood/early intervention resources and serves as point of exchange for users.
Collins, C. (2018). What is white privilege, really? Teaching Tolerance, 60 : This article explains white privilege, gives the history of white privilege, examines how white privilege differs from racism, and offers guidance on using white privilege for positive change.
Chapter 8: Respect for Diversity in the “Introduction to Community Psychology” explains cultural humility as an approach to diversity, the dimensions of diversity, the complexity of identity, and important cultural considerations.
Culture Matters is a cross-cultural training workbook developed by the Peace Corps to help new volunteers acquire the knowledge and skills to work successfully and respectfully in other cultures.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Nonprofit Organizations by Sean Thomas-Breitfeld and Frances Kunreuther, from the International Encyclopedia of Civil Society.
HealthEquityGuide.org is a website with a set of strategic practices that health departments can apply to more meaningfully and comprehensively advance health equity.
How Communities and Research Institutions Work Together to Dismantle Structural Racism and Advance Health Equity is a special issue of the Journal of Participatory Research Methods that focuses on the complexities of interdisciplinary community-engaged research and the continuous development and refinement of its methods.
**“How Studying Privilege Systems Can Strengthen Compassion,” a TED talk given by Peggy McIntosh at TEDxTimberlaneSchools
Proclaiming Our Roots: Learn more about the lived experiences of Black and Indigenous folx through their digital stories.
Reframing Childhood Obesity: Cultural Insights on Nutrition, Weight, and Food Systems is a report from the Cultural Contexts of Health and Wellbeing initiative at Vanderbilt University that focuses on three key areas in which cultural insights and global examples can help improve health policy around childhood obesity by understanding how historical and structural factors frame food and weight beyond individual choice.
The International & Cross-Cultural Evaluation Topical Interest Group, an organization that is affiliated with the American Evaluation Association, provides evaluators who are interested in cross-cultural issues with opportunities for professional development.
The Multicultural Pavilion offers resources and dialogue for educators, students and activists on all aspects of multicultural education.
The National Center for Cultural Competence at Georgetown University increases the capacity of health care and mental health programs to design, implement and evaluate culturally and linguistically competent service delivery systems. Publications and web links available.
SIL International makes available “The Stranger’s Eyes,” an article that speaks to cultural sensitivity with questions that can be strong tools for discussion.
Study, Discussion and Action on Issues of Race, Racism and Inclusion – a partial list of resources utilized and prepared by Yusef Mgeni.
Organizations:
Center for Living Democracy 289 Fox Farm Rd PO Box 8187 Brattleboro, VT 05304-8187 (802) 254-1234
National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI) 1835 K Street, N.W., Suite 715 Washington, D.C. 20006 (202) 785-9400
Re-evaluation Counseling 719 Second Avenue North Seattle, WA 98109 (206) 284-0113
Southern Poverty Law Center 400 Washington Ave. Montgomery, AL 36104
Print Resources
Axner, D. (1993). The Community leadership project curriculum. Pomfret, CT: Topsfield Foundation.
Banks, J. (1997). Educating citizens in a multicultural society. New York, NY: Teachers College Press.
Brown, C.,& Mazza, G. (1997). Healing into action. Washington, DC: National Coalition Building Institute.
DuPraw, M.,& Axner, M. (1997). Working on common cross-cultural communication challenges. In Martha McCoy, et. al., Toward a More Perfect Union in an Age of Diversity. Pomfret, CT: Topsfield Foundation, 12-16.
Ford, C. (1994). We can all get along: 50 steps you can take to end racism. New York, NY: Dell Publishing.
Kaye, G., & Wolff, T. (1995). From the ground up: A workbook on coalition building and community development. Amherst, MA: AHEC/Community Partners. (Available from Tom Wolff and Associates.)
McCoy, M.,& et al. (1997). Toward a more perfect union in an age of diversity: A guide for building stronger communities through public dialogue. Pomfret, CT: Topsfield Foundation.
McIntosh, P. (1988). White privilege and male privilege: A personal account of coming to see correspondences through work in women’s studies. Wellesley, MA: Center for Research on Women, Wellesley College.
Murphy, Frederick. (Ed.) (2013). Community Engagement, Organization, and Development for Public Health Practice. New York: Springer.
Okihiro, G. (1994). Margins and mainstreams: Asians in American history and culture. Seattle, WA: The University of Washington Press.
Takaki, R. (1993). A different mirror: A history of multicultural America. Boston: Little, Brown and Company.
