Exploring Culture
The Danger of a Single Story
Our lives, our cultures, are composed of many overlapping stories. Novelist Chimamanda Adichie tells the story of how she found her authentic cultural voice -- and warns that if we hear only a single story about another person or country, we risk a critical misunderstanding.
Cultural Competency vs Cultural Humility
Cultural Competency is important to our intellectual ability of understanding because it encompasses the ideas of learning about other cultures, controlling internal biases, adapting your behavior and communication style. However, the issue with cultural competency it may lead us to rely on generalizations instead of individual uniqueness.
It may not be realistic to learn every single thing about every single culture. This is where Cultural Humility comes in.
Cultural Humility is to be aware of power imbalances, biases, and respecting others’ values. It is important to understand how your biases may impact the way you treat others.
Follow these quick videos for a deeper understanding of cultural humility and microaggressions.