Cultural diversity and your future: cultural diversity is all around us—at school and in the workplace. Here's how to boost your cultural competence - Special Feature

Career World, Nov-Dec, 2002 by Janice Arenofsky

Nowrin Khanam, 18, had to skip her senior prom last year. The Bangladeshi immigrant, who lives in Queens, New York, wanted to go to fit in with American students. But her mother objected on cultural grounds.

Russian immigrants in Brooklyn took a different view of the American high school tradition. They gave it a unique twist, organizing their own proms--parties at Russian supper clubs.

Teens new to the United States experience a cultural clash between American customs and their ethnic heritage. The need for acceptance often conflicts with the need to respect family values. Sometimes teens find help. For example, the Close Up Program for New Americans sends teens to Washington, D.C., to learn about U.S. politics, history, and community service.

A Foreign Flow

Immigrants in the workforce adopt many American ways. But employers also adapt. They want to stay in step with a culturally diverse population. In the 2000 census, 25 percent of all workers were foreign born. One-third came from Mexico or another Central American country and one-quarter came from Asia.

By 2020, experts predict the ethnic demographics will take anew direction. Over a million immigrants--an increasing number of blacks and Asians and fewer Hispanics--will arrive in the United States each year. They will come from countries in South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and the Middle East Most immigrants will want employment, according to Frank Sharry, executive director of the National Immigration Forum. "This will help America maintain its cutting edge, economically, politically, and culturally," he says.

Isaura Bernal moved to Chandler, Arizona, from Mexico several years ago. To prepare for employment, she took English classes with Si Se Puede (Yes We Can), a community organization. She also practiced her language skills using materials from the public library. "When I first started work, people complained about my English," says Bernal, the manager of a large food store.

Bernal suggested to her co-workers that they improve their "cultural competence." As a good business practice, employers need to respect employees of a different race, ethnicity, nationality, or religion. Cultural competence includes understanding some of the language that foreign born employees speak. It also means learning about the historical roles, values, and traditions they take pride in.

It doesn't mean, however, that immigrants shouldn't learn the language of the "host" country, says Arifa Javed, an acculturation specialist at the International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit. The goal is to help immigrants "fit into American culture while still retaining their own identity." Unfortunately, she adds, the events of September 11 made Americans less open to newcomers.

20/20 Tunnel Vision

"For many people," says Mark A. Williams, an expert on multiculturalism, "it's hard to rid yourself of prejudices and stereotypes." He says most people interpret the world through 10 different lenses (listed below).

See if you can identify the "prejudice" lens and the "preferred" lens for today's workplace.

1. I think about patriotism. I'm not a hyphenated American (for example, African-American); I'm an American.

2. I see individuals, not races.

3. I'm in favor of black (brown, yellow, etc.) pride.

4. I think people with wealth and status should make the decisions.

5. I think we can all live together.

6. If I work hard, I can get everything I want.

7. Let's preserve our heritage. Let's not mingle with other groups.

8. All races and cultures are connected.

9. I still feel we're treated like second-rate citizens.

10. I enjoy seeing people celebrating their own customs and holidays. Life is more interesting and educational that way.

Lens 7 reflects bias toward other groups. Williams' choice is lens 10, which embraces all cultures. But most people view others through several lenses depending on the situation.

Lu Xiaoxing, 21, an exchange student from Shanghai, China, says students at Beloit College in Wisconsin are open-minded. "But I think many people [off campus] see other cultures with 'colored lenses.'" Although Lu speaks English fluently and has made American friends, there are still cultural differences. Her best friends are Asians. "Students here talk so much about sex and alcohol," she adds. "Back in Shanghai, these are not problems among students."

Accommodation=Productivity

Employers may differ in their approach to cultural diversity, but most have a game plan. For instance, today's accounting clients come from many cultures. Companies hire employees of different cultural backgrounds to serve these clients. Hopefully, these clients recommend other foreign-born people. It's a win-win situation: The businesses increase their profits, and the employees feel the company recognizes their special values and talents.

For instance, an international high-tech firm in Phoenix succeeded in recruiting Ralf Lenigk, a research scientist from Germany. The company paid for a relocation service to find his family a suitable home and for a service to manage the paperwork.