Cultural IQ

In 2008, A Commitment to Find the Power Within Me

Photo credit: www.freefoto.com

Whenever friends or colleagues offend us, we have a critical decision to make: Will we act as though we are powerful, or decide to give away our power to those who want to hurt us?

Years ago, a well meaning white colleague decided it was time to tell me that his mother didn't like black people. "If I brought you home for Christmas, she would have a fit," he said, chuckling.

I truly respected this colleague so I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt - as we must all do. We should look for the best in others and never assume their words were meant to hurt us. Many times, racial discussions make people uncomfortable. Even the most culturally competent communicators still get it wrong at times.

I responded to my colleague in a friendly voice.  "I am sorry your mother sees a need to limit herself in that way. However, I am happy that you have made a different choice. You get along well with all kinds of people and that's really wonderful."

There was a long silence as my colleague reflected upon my words. I had not yelled at him. I had not called his mother names. I  simply asked him to recognize my truth: His mother's racial prejudices were a problem for her and for him, but not for me.

Once you decide that you are good enough, the words of others matter less to you. Over the years, I have refined this response, which I call my " affirmative re-action policy." Rather than ask society for special help or programs because I am a minority, I have instead affirmed my own worth and built strengths that have afforded me greater freedom and career options.

As a nation, our collective response to prejudice tends to make "the victims" feel they are responsible for changing the beliefs of those who dislike them. It is a curious yet costly strategy.  This mindset prompts many ethnic groups to focus on changing the beliefs of those around them rather than on creating an self-directed agenda for progress.

Consider this excellent story in yesterday's New York Times. A man from Maine threatened to shoot “any and all black persons” attending the NAACP's meetings at an old stone church," the Times reported. The headline was interesting: "Threat in Maine, the Whitest State, Shakes Local N.A.A.C.P. "

But doesn't it also raise questions about the state of Maine's democracy? How did this community in Maine allow the seed of terrorism to develop and grow?  (Isn't that the same question Americans often ask of Islamic moderates?) Where were the people who weed the garden of democracy and keep the bloom fresh?

In a democracy, a threat against any one makes us all less safe. No democracy can be secure for long if its cultural communities choose to respond to threats against their own members but not to their neighbors.

It is time to stand up for our Republic. We must stop holding cultural groups responsible for fixing the people who don't like them. That is not their job, and racism and sexism are not their burden. Rather it is an American dilemma.

Think of it as enlightened self-interest. If cultural groups did not have to focus on eliminating racism or sexism, they would have more time to focus on self-directed reforms, culture values and economic cultural development. It is a win-win situation.

As for the victims, remember, dear friends, that it doesn't matter whether people target us because of our weight, sexual orientation, color, or accent.  Somebody is going to say something we won't like. It is our right to ignore people who use words to hurt others. If we steadfastly refuse to allow their beliefs or words to diminish us, these negative words, labels and stereotypes eventually will lose power.

So let us resolve to take power away from bigots and bullies this year by disarming their verbal weapondry.

Working together, we must hold accountable those who would pull apart the cloth of democracy and diminish civil liberties for any citizen. That is the awesome responsibility attached to American citizenship, not to race.

Thinking Globally

As multi-national companies expand into new markets, many companies are turning to foreign-born executives to guide them over the mountaintops and through the global valleys. Cultural competency, which is the ability to work within diverse cultures and with a variety of peoples,  offers American CEOs a set of tools that allow them to remain competitive and keep America executives competitive:

From this morning's New York TImes:

Seeking Leaders, U.S. Companies Think Globally

The corner offices of corporate America are increasingly being filled from every corner of the world.

Citigroup, the world’s largest bank, named Vikram S. Pandit, a native of Nagpur, India, as its chief executive on Tuesday. Mr. Pandit joins 14 other foreign-born chiefs who are running Fortune 100 companies.

The head of the Altria Group was born in Egypt, for example. PepsiCo’s is from India, the Liberty Mutual Group’s is a native of Ireland and Alcoa’s was born in Morocco.

Their numbers have jumped from roughly a decade ago; there were nine foreign-born chief executives on Fortune’s list of the 100 largest companies in 1996. But the size of the new group does not reflect a noteworthy change — they come from more far-flung countries now than then, when they were more likely to hail from Canada or Europe.

The shift reflects, in part, the focus that companies place on foreign markets for growth. For the first time, for example, the companies in the Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index are expected to achieve more than half their sales from abroad next year, on average

A City that Loves You But Only If You Are Quiet

Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, is one tough city. I have lived here nearly 20 years and only once have I seen my neighbors standing on street corners yelling, "You are loved."

At a time when the city and its leadership were urging youth to  "Stop the Violence", some Asian Americans created a kinder, gentler approach:"Love Each Other." They held a rally in Love Park, and invited ethnic and racial leaders across the city. The multiracial group held up signs that recommended love as the new crime-fighting activity.

Just when you start to feel the winds of change all around you, we slip back into the old ways. The Philadelphia Inquirer's reporter Robert Moran had a brief this morning on a newly settled lawsuit that requires Philadelphia's  Police Commissioner to notify his officers that it is not a crime to play a flute on a city street in an affluent neighborhood.

Or, in legal talk, "the ability to play a musical instrument or sing in a public place and solicit funds are forms of expression that are protected by the First Amendment," as the Inquirer stated, in quoting from this remarkable settlement. (Thank goodness, we cleared it up.)

Felix Wilkins, a 66-year-old African American street musician filed suit against the city alleging that his civil rights were violated in March when he was arrested for playing the flute on a Center City corner, the Inky reported. The lawsuit was settled and Wilkins is to get $27,500, along with that unforgettable memo stating that street music is not a crime.

OK, let's look on the bright side.  Philadelphia has come up with a new way to invest in the arts. Arrest street musicians for playing music, and then pay them off. It needs a little work. But it's a boost  for creativity, nevertheless.

Let the Children Speak

The Tri-State Defender in Memphis, Tenn. offers us a chance to listen to the children, and learn from them.

Let the children speak!

The Tri-State Defender has joined forces with a determined effort to help the women, men and children in an area known as the “Trifector” transform themselves and their South Memphis neighborhood into a model and catalyst in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

   
The Trifector connects Booker T. Washington High School, Vance Middle School and Georgia Avenue Elementary. The newspaper’s point of contact is Rhoda Stigall, the head of the Memphis City Schools’ Division of Parent and Community Engagement (PACE).
   
In this installment , Vance Middle School students get a chance to offer their ideas about life and their world.

Go Ahead, Have A Little Faith This Holiday Season

Photo Credit: www.freefoto.com

Tis’ the time of year when carolers sing songs of hope; dreams come true, and our cultural and religious beliefs collide regularly in daily conversations.

Peace, you see, isn’t just going to arrive one day and knock at our door. It appears only after enough gentle folks decide to engage in daily activities that resolve conflicts; foster understanding; and promote tolerance.

This holiday, give the world the gift that benefits every nation: Peace on earth and goodwill toward men.  We don’t have to sign a petition, dig in our wallets, or write our Congressman. All we need to do is demonstrate that we believe in putting our faith to work for the world.

I’ve listed 10 little steps we can take to put religion into the holiday festivities. Let’s show our love for each other. Let’s respect one another. Let’s help the poor, feed the sick, and use our company manners when guests (or tourists) are around. It’s perfectly OK to bring one's faith into this holiday season. Don't be content to tell others what you believe. Show them what you stand for by engaging in deliberate acts of faith.

1)  Spend more time looking for common ground and less time examining differences. Look for opportunities for churches, synagogues or mosques to partner with a different faith-based organization. Invite members of different faiths to attend a holiday dinner. Make buttons promoting values such as tolerance, faith, trust, and self-reliance. Put the spotlight on the shared values, instead of focusing on religious differences. 

2)     Treat others as though they are the stars of their own reality television show. We may feel an urge to kiss the strangers standing under mistletoe. However, we really ought to allow them to determine how much or how little drama they actually would prefer. Afterall, how would we feel if somebody else handed all our lines to us, or limited the places we could go? If someone does not wish to sing holiday carols or participate in religious activities, well, they are the star, and it is their show. Unless they offer us a supporting role, we are only members of the audience.   It is fair to offer criticism or applause, of course. But it would be unreasonable to assume they should allow us to rewrite their script.

3)     Plan learning activities with your entire family.  Read a book. Watch a show. Spend time discussing ways your family and your community can resolve conflicts, avoid violence, and prepare to work in international companies. Plan a family fun night or a community potluck where everyone brings along old family recipes.

4)     Forgive someone who has wronged you or offended you.  This could be the best holiday present you ever give. It not only lifts a burden off of you, it helps to keep the peace in our community and our global village. Imagine what a wonderful holiday we might have if a majority of the 303 million Americans decide to let go of just one wrong or past injustice. In 24 hours, we could have a better world.

5)     Engage in a cultural audit. At the end of every year, we should take inventory of our cultural skill sets.  We can’t increase our Cultural IQs unless we take time to measure where we stand. We do ourselves a favor when we assess the skills that ultimately determine how well we fit into the world.

6)     Say Hello to A Neighbor.  You don’t get any points if you select a stranger who looks like you or whom you would really like to know better. Say hello to someone you might not ordinarily have as a friend. Find ways to stay connected to the people who live nearby and to the larger community.

7)     Challenge Your Own Biases and Beliefs.  Take time to gather research and facts that do not support your current beliefs. Read the material several times during a 30-day period.  Then, explain the research and the new evidence to a good friend. Ask them if you have presented the information in a fair and persuasive manner. A second challenge: Instead of complaining about a neighbor of a different faith, invite him or her to attend your church with you. Ask if you can attend their religious services as well. Afterward, examine where and how your faith intersects. Look for ways to promote your shared values and beliefs.

8)     Write yourself a love note . Take a minute to tell yourself what you are doing right.  If you don’t feel good about yourself, you are of less help to those around you.

9)     Go forth and play. Make up silly little games as you walk down the street or through the crowded holiday malls. Look for opportunities to have fun. Give away free smiles. Invent thrilling stories about the interesting people you encounter. Laughter is a gift that gets bigger and bigger each time it is given away.

10) Be a holiday angel. Practice random acts of kindness.  Offer change to a stranger who is a few pennies short at the cash register. Give up your seat on a crowded train or bus. Listen to an anxious or depressed friend even though you have a million things to do. Forgive people who make innocent mistakes.

English Fluency Rises Across Hispanic Generations

by Shirin Hakimzadeh, project consultant, Pew Hispanic Center and D'Vera Cohn, senior writer, Pew Research Center
November 29, 2007

(Editors note: This research by Pew underscores the need for us to use evidence-based research to inform our opinions and beliefs.  Using independent high-quality research increases our credibility with members of other cultural groups here and around the world.)

REPORT SUMMARY

Nearly all Hispanic adults born in the United States of immigrant parents report they are fluent in English, a new Pew survey has found. By contrast, only a small minority of their parents describe themselves as skilled English speakers. This finding of a dramatic increase in English-language ability from one generation of Hispanics to the next emerges from a new analysis of six Pew Hispanic Center surveys conducted this decade among a total of more than 14,000 Latino adults.¹ The surveys show that fewer than one-in-four (23%) Latino immigrants report being able to speak English very well. However, fully 88% of their U.S.-born adult children report that they speak English very well. Among later generations of Hispanic adults, the figure rises to 94%. Reading ability in English shows a similar trend.²

As fluency in English increases across generations, so, too, does the regular use of English by Hispanics, both at home and at work. For most immigrants, English is not the primary language they use in either setting. But for their grown children, it is."

Understanding Opposition to Affirmative Action

STANFORD GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS —. Researchers typically suggest that that people who oppose it do so either because they think it’s inherently unfair—or quite simply because they’re racist.

But Brian Lowery thinks self-interest comes into play. “People may not support affirmative action because they’re concerned about their own group’s well-being,” he says. “It may be that someone would support a policy that helps women, blacks, or Latinos, for example, but fears that an affirmative action policy might hurt his group.”

Lowery, associate professor of organizational behavior at the Graduate School of Business, has found validation for this idea in a series of studies conducted with assistant professors Miguel M. Unzueta from UCLA, Eric D. Knowles from UC Irvine, and Atiba Goff from Pennsylvania State University. The results, published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, shed new light on why individuals might oppose affirmative action—and offer new insights into how such policies may be more effectively framed.

In one study, white participants were presented with four affirmative action policies. They were asked how they thought each would affect whites versus minorities and were asked to rate how much they would support each option. The policies included 1) hiring a minority, even if a white were more qualified; 2) hiring a minority as a “tiebreaker” where two candidates were equally qualified; 3) providing training to minority applicants to help them become better qualified, but not basing hires on race; and 4) focusing on increasing minority applicants, but not basing hires on race.

Lowery found that the more whites felt the policy helped minorities, the more they were willing to support it—but only when they thought it would not hurt members of their own group. Recruitment and training, which were seen as milder policies, therefore received more support than policies perceived to help minorities at the expense of whites. “It appears from these results that people can separate out the issues of helping minorities and hurting whites, showing that racism isn’t always the issue,” says Lowery.

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