The importance of understanding culture in community building.This section is an introduction to understanding culture, and will focus on: This chapter will give you practical information about how to understand culture, establish relationships with people from cultures different from your own, act as an ally against racism and other forms of discrimination, create organizations in which diverse groups can work together, overcome internalized oppression, and build strong and diverse communities. We can't gloss over differences and pretend they don't exist, wishing we could all be alike, and we can't pretend that discrimination doesn't exist. We all love deeply, want to learn, have hopes and dreams, and have experienced pain and fear.Īt the same time, we can't pretend our cultures and differences don't matter. People see the world very differently, but they know what it is like to wake up in the morning and look forward to the adventures that of the day. So when you are working with people and building relationships with them, it helps to have some perspective and understanding of their cultures.īut as we explore culture, it's also important to remember how much we have in common. It influences their views, their values, their humor, their hopes, their loyalties, and their worries and fears. When we think of culture this broadly we realize we all belong to many cultures at once.ĭo you agree? How might this apply to you? Why is culture important?Ĭulture is a strong part of people's lives. For example, it is possible to acquire a new culture by moving to a new country or region, by a change in our economic status, or by becoming disabled. It can also include a group we join or become part of. It includes groups that we are born into, such as race, national origin, gender, class, or religion. "Culture" refers to a group or community which shares common experiences that shape the way its members understand the world. No matter where you live, you are working with and establishing relationships with people-people who all have cultures. Learn how to understand people's cultures, promote engagement with others, and build strong, diverse communities.Īs community builders, understanding culture is our business.
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