Chapter 4, Problem 1LO

Understand basic terminology related to multiculturalism and diversity

Summary Introduction

To understand: The basic terminology related to multiculturalism and diversity.

Introduction: The term “culture” is often associated with a specific ethnic group, gender, age, spirituality or religion, nationality, physical capacity, and many more. It can also be considered as a lens through which life is perceived. Multiculturalism can be defined as a way in which the society deals with cultural diversities, at both national and community levels.

Explanation of Solution

Some of the basic terminologies associated with multiculturalism and diversity are as follows:

• Ethnicity: This is a sense of identity from a common ancestry that creates a thought of belonging and sharing based on the commonality.
• Cultural diversity: It denotes the spectrum of differences in the existing groups of people who have definable and unique cultural backgrounds.
• Cultural pluralism: It describes the complexity that exists in culture and values of the diversified beliefs and values.
• Cultural awareness: This describes the compassion and acceptance that is based on self-understanding and understanding about others within one’s culture.
• Cultural tunnel vision: It is the perception of the reality pertaining to very limited cultural experiences.
• Stereotypes: It is an oversimplified and uncritical generalization about people who belong to a specific group.
• Racism: Racism is a kind of behavior that denies opportunities or privileges to members of a particular group because of their race or culture.
• Microaggression: It is the persistent, verbal, environmental, and behavioral assaults or insults or invalidations that are difficult to identify. This often occurs due to gender, race, sexual orientation, or the ability status.