Culture of insensitivity
The title takes a negative undertone but I would like to take the sense of its opposite. Cultural sensitivity is being aware that cultural differences and similarities between people exist without assigning them a value -positive or negative, better or worse, right or wrong. It simply means that one is aware that people are not all the same and that one recognizes that a particular culture is no better than any other culture. It further implies that both groups understand and respect each other's characteristics. This is always a challenge, and even more so in large groups where the dominant culture is the one whose members are expected to adopt.
Cultural insensitivity has existed since the beginning of time. One would be correct to believe that such lapses of sensitivity would begin to evolve and move away from a developed, progressive society. But intermittently there are cases that hogged the limelight especially when projected in the media.
In a world where small things are magnified and made subject to either a lot of scorn or praise, we all should watch out. And we don't want the former but the latter –and be an influence for positive change. Such as in the case of much-talked about photo shoot of Billy Crawford and Coleen Garcia in Ethiopia involving the locals which they claimed was only for an airline promotional tool.
The intention may be pure, innocent and sincere, be it personal or collective, but we don't have control over the views of others as they take views based on their own beliefs and value system. We have various backgrounds and orientations. And it would take years and even decades to influence and change ingrained values.
In the past, I turned down an offer that I believe would create contrasting reactions from people who know me well as an academician, a woman, and a cultural advocate. The offer, I believe, would have compromised my dignity as a person. And if others can do it, I am a person who takes life on a different side. The society and our interactions with others have formed us to be who we are. And so no one could ever say that we come from the same mold and would look at life the same way also.
We don't expect for people to change their world views overnight, after a workshop, or even an intensive program. "Ignorance" can infer that someone isn't exposed to something. It doesn't always mean they consciously disregard something they don't understand.
It is the cohesive introduction of opportunities for interaction with different cultures, education in the practice of empathy, and practical exposure to the way different cultures experience a similar situation that will produce more sustainable consequences.
I just hope that one group is not being disadvantaged and used for the personal and collective economic gains of others. Both groups may not be fully aware of the underpinnings of cultural interactions, but no one would go off track if everything we do is anchored on basic human understanding of equity, compassion and sensitivity.
- Latest
