Cultural competency and cultural humility

We live with diverse cultures. It does not have to be different ethnicity to talk about cultural differences. The same school or location does not mean sharing the same belief system. Coexistence is the foundation of individual freedom that the Constitution warrants, especially in times of division. Whether we like it or not, we have to learn acceptance and tolerance from strangers within us unless we deny the reality.

Yes, we need cultural competency.

I started studying the cultural differences as much as I could to serve. However, cultural competency is more than just studying and understanding people and their behavior. Feeling comfortable in a society full of strangers from different cultural backgrounds takes a lot of inner work. Knowing and understanding do not mean building human bonds because we are all strangers to one another without connection.

My lightbulb moment is when I realize I carry a culturally superior attitude. I believed that I was more ethical and morally superior to others. But who am I to judge others right or wrong? Everyone is right from where they are. Yes, I learned cultural humility from that enlightened moment.

Cultural Humility

American culture is much more masculine compared to what I am accustomed to, to the extent of feeling aggressive. There is no right or wrong in that. I have learned to see the goodness of that and feel comfortable with the straightforward communication style. Again, it was me who judged the culture with my own cultural filters. When I removed the glasses, accepting and tolerating the differences became easier.

Cultural humility is just like that: taking off your glasses and seeing the real colors.

The beauty of different cultures is that we connect by sharing humanism. We can connect more by sharing other people's human experiences, feelings, and goodness. Do you have the courage to take off your glasses and see the world differently?

Reference

Greene-Moton E, Minkler M. Cultural Competence or Cultural Humility? Moving Beyond the Debate. Health Promotion Practice. 2020;21(1):142-145. doi:10.1177/1524839919884912