5 Ways to Bridge Cultural Differences
Becoming A Global Citizen
Whether we realize it or not, our values and perceptions of the world are constantly being shaped and altered by our experiences, upbringing and culture. Have you ever noticed yourself acting on an assumption you hadn’t realized you had made ?
While particularly self-aware people can recognize this happening in themselves, there’s nothing quite like meeting people from another country or culture to reveal the boundaries of our thinking and the possibilities of another perspective.
Do you want to be a global citizen, someone who can embrace all people and see past barriers and cultural differences? If so, you might want to look into these five approaches:
Expand Your Understanding
While the starkest cultural differences appear between nations and religions, we also see individual families developing their own unique cultures (which might explain why relationships between in-laws can be so complicated).
Imagine for a moment that a strained relationship between in-laws paralleled the similar relationships we see between nations today. Suddenly, trying to genuinely understand and accept our in-laws despite our differences takes on a global meaning. If families can bridge their differences despite their deep-seated customs or beliefs, then perhaps we might be better equipped to do the same on a worldwide level.
Father Moon often spoke of uniting East and West, of uniting the people of the world. In his autobiography, he said:
“As the frequency of exchanges among religions increases, greater mutual understanding will arise, conflict will disappear and the walls of separation will crumble. When different types of people live together in a single global community, barriers between races will come down. Interaction between races will occur despite differences in appearance and language. This cultural revolution will bring the world into one.”
Understanding a multitude of cultures and ways of thought helps us navigate conflicts, develop relationships and become the global citizens God wants us to be.
Become a Global Family…Literally
Perhaps the most immersive way to come to understand another culture is to marry someone from that culture. While that probably isn’t the primary reason one would have for marrying another person, Father Moon was a strong proponent of international and interracial marriages and families.
Besides the personal enrichment such a relationship would bring, having children who grow up with both sets of lifestyles, viewpoints and traditions creates a generation that spans at least two otherwise-separate cultures. If we followed that pattern through the generations, perhaps understanding between nations, religions and cultures would reach a point where the major global issues we face today can be resolved and healed.
Immerse Yourself
Short of marrying into a culture, there have never been so many other opportunities to connect with different cultures as there are today. Simple and easy ways to appreciate another culture can take the form of experiencing their music, food and traditions. More advanced forms of increasing understanding can be found via the internet, which provides an easily-accessible window into other cultures. Despite these options, nothing can replace meeting and getting to know the people themselves.
Avoid the “I’m Right” Trap
Perhaps the greatest barrier to successful dialogue and connection is assuming an inflexible “I’m right” mentality. While all cultures and ways of thought certainly have their gaps and flaws, assuming that our background, while not perfect, is superior can reflect a bias that creates unnecessary and often-unproductive tension and conflict.
Accepting certain ambiguities and differences is a powerful approach that emphasizes how cultural differences are oftentimes simply that—differences outside the realm of right or wrong. However, when clear decisions need to be made globally or interculturally (such as in the workplace, church or home) ambiguity is not as helpful or possible.
Stick to the Basics
As in any relationship, navigating differences and making joint decisions depends on a variety of factors. Here are a few more practices we find helpful in our pursuit of a heart that embraces the world as our Heavenly Parent would.
-Focus more on understanding than being understood
-Empathize and have compassion
-Keep an open mind
-Be flexible
-Be curious
-Have a sense of humor
The world is so much more than what we experience in our little corner of it. If we’re lucky, we get to travel and expand our cultural awareness, but by practicing loving and authentic relationships with the people we meet every day, we can start taking steps right now to becoming global citizens.