Respect for Diversity: Cultural Competence

Cultural competence is important in order to be effectively work in community. Gaining expertise seems to be impossible but true cultural competence is a developing process of learning and requires long time commitment. In cultural competence essay its importance is discussed.

Kofi Annan, 2001 Nobel Prize winner, says, “We may have different religions, different languages, different colored skin, but we all belong to one human race.” In other words, although we have differences such as color of skin, religion, or languages, we are all humans as the end of the day. Differences are social construct. For example, in race, there is no proof for biological difference therefore the racial differences are brought by history, society and economic factors. Diversity comes in different forms; these are the difference in religion, race, culture, ethnicity, gender, age, social class, sexual orientation, and ability. Respect for diversity is a core value in Community Psychology. 

Cultural competence pertains to the skills and knowledge needed to work with the people in the community. It includes the ability to respect and honor the language and beliefs of the people in community. The assumption that you can gain enough knowledge to solve the problem of every community is problematic. The reason why it is problematic is because learning the community and the people in it is an ongoing process. One community is different from the other. Cultural competence is important to recognize diversity as it requires knowledge and skills.

Cultural humility helps the community psychologists to remain open to learning the cultural identity of the community. According to Amanda Waters and Lisa Asbill, there are three factors to be able to achieve cultural humility. First is a lifelong commitment to self- evaluation and self-critique, there should be a desire to learn more and accept the fact that there are still more rooms to improve. Next is the desire to fix power imbalances, one must recognize that you need the help of the people – their thoughts, ideas, and requests – in order to work effectively. Lastly, it includes aiming to develop partnerships with people and groups who advocate for others; it is not enough to work on you own, you must also try to reach out and work together with organizations or groups who has the same goal with you. Cultural humility is important in community psychology as it helps the psychologists to keep the desire to learn and gather experiences which are essential on the way to respect the diversity.

On January 27, 2019, the DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu, officially announced the rehabilitation of the Manila Bay. They opened it again to the public on September 19, 2020 but this time the grey sand turned to white. The government spent 28 million pesos on crushed dolomite to “lift” the beauty of Manila Bay. There are a lot of criticism towards this, although people are happy to see the changes in Manila Bay, they believe that there are other more important things they can do with 28 million pesos aside from harvesting dolomite on Cebu and dumping it on Manila Bay. People claims that this is not what the country needs on this time. This is an example of why we need to understand diversity. They claim that the “white sand is for people’s mental help” but failed to see the social status and ability of other people.

Recognizing diversity is important in community psychology as it enables the psychologists to understand the community. It also allows them to build better solutions to the problem. It makes suitable decisions for the community as well. Working with the community would be hard if you do not have any idea on differences of people. Remember that what fits to others might not fit on you. Recognizing diversity allows you to make more sensible plans. In this chapter, I learned that diversity do not only come with race of sexual orientation. It also involves religion, age, social class, and ability. I also learned that there are no prod for biological differences. Differences in society are only products of social construct. Diversity makes people appreciate life more. To be honest, I believe that if we only accept that differences exist, life would be easier. It would be easier to communicate. Lastly, it gives less misinterpretation and misleading as it acquires greater understanding.

In conclusion, respect for diversity is important to work effectively in a community. It is not limited to in religion, race, culture, ethnicity, gender, age, social class, sexual orientation, and ability. Cultural competence pertains to the skills and knowledge needed to understand the community. In contrast, Cultural humility helps to keep the psychologist to think and accept that they still learn.

References

• Do one thing. (n.d.). Kofi Annan.  
• Saavedra, J.A. (2020). Dolomite mining not meant for Manila Bay project: Cebu town mayor. 
• Stevens, E., & Dropkin, M. (n.d.). Respect for diversity. In L.A. Jason, O. Glantsman, J.F.
• O'Brien, K.N. Ramian (eds.), Introduction to the field of community psychology. Rebus community. 
• The Denver Fountdation’s Inclusiveness Project. (n.d.). Definitions of diversity/inclusiveness and cultural difference. 
• Tolentino, R.C. (2020). White beach’ for people’s mental health – Palace.
• Waters, A. & Asbill, L. (2013). Reflections on cultural humility.