Cultural Awareness is an important key to improving relationships with people from different backgrounds.
Here are a few ways to step outside of your comfort zone and increase your cultural awareness.
1. Learn From Others
One way I believe we can increase cultural awareness is to have a better understanding of each other’s experiences. We live and work in a multicultural world that is rich in customs, culture, and diversity. Hopefully, as I do, you have friends and coworkers who come from various backgrounds. One simple thing we can do is go to lunch, happy hour, or invite someone into our home for dinner who is different from us in some way.
After the unrest in Ferguson, Missouri, two co-workers started a conversation with me. They saw I was upset, which broke down a barrier and began a dialogue. I told them I was feeling hurt, angry, and isolated. A few weeks later, we continued our conversation over lunch. My ability to be vulnerable helped me cope, and their ability to listen opened their eyes to see some of the injustices that were happening all around us.
2. Understand History
Another aspect of cultural awareness is having an accurate historical context. Understanding how things came to be can be done by reading the history of other racial groups or your community. When I first arrived in Baltimore, I often wondered why the city seemed to change block by block. To increase my awareness, I read a book called Not in My Neighborhood: How Bigotry Shaped a Great American City by Antero Pietila. The book helped me see how some of the challenges Baltimore (and other cities) faces today are a result of policies deeply rooted in racism. Needless to say, it was eye-opening. Now, I use that information to help others understand how race has shaped our community and begin to talk about solutions.
3. Visit Cultural Institutions
Lastly, visiting cultural institutions in your community is a great resource to have a greater awareness of the rich culture of others. For the past few years, during MLK Day, a white friend of mine and I have picked a museum to visit. The first year was the Blacks in Wax Museum, and another year, we went to the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, both in Baltimore.
Recently, we had an opportunity to take our families to the National Museum of African-American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. Our visits have allowed him to learn the history of African-Americans. Some of which was not taught to him in school. This increased cultural awareness has provided an opportunity to have more in-depth conversations on race and connect my personal experiences to elevate the dialogue. I’ve also visited his home many times for dinner, and I now have an affinity for German holiday cookies – so good!
Cultural awareness matters because it opens our eyes.
When we become aware of people, situations, and history, we can make more informed decisions. We can empathize with others and hopefully begin to develop solutions on ways to build a community of inclusivity, by respecting and embracing our diversity and allowing us to work more effectively with one another.
Cory J. Anderson writes about practical ways to think about and implement equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace. He has always lived in a multicultural environment. Which he credits as his inspiration to bring diverse groups of people together. Cory is passionate about using facilitated conversations as a tool to increase understanding and personal development. He has held various leadership positions with several nonprofit organizations and universities facilitating multicultural education. He is the founder of Diverse Dialogues, an organization focused on breaking down barriers one conversation at a time. Follow him on Twitter @mrca12. 
