So growing up in a small town I didn’t learn anything about other cultures other than the local Native Americans that had inhabited the land we were living on in Ohio. I actually feel like growing up blind to the outside world made it easier for me as an adult to assimilate and learn other cultures. See I couldn’t learn prejudices as a child since there were no other cultures around me for someone to teach me to ethnocentric towards. Once I was an adult develop my own ideas I moved away from that small town mindedness and discovered I wanted to learn other cultures, meet new people, and enjoy what they have to offer.
Now I live in area with just about any culture you could ask for and as often as possible I try to expose my three kids to them. Whether its a simple street fair with arts and crafts, local music at the park, or food we are always trying to expose them. Conversely my wife and I also like the experiences. I know music and food don’t make them cultural masters but at their age that’s a good start. I think by the time they are in my position they will 100% fail as leaders if they are not culturally aware and educated.
It has already started with them. As soon as we get to a park or kids activity they are the first ones to gravitate to other kids who are not like them and start talking and asking questions about what they like where they live and where they go to school. They literally have no fear of others who don’t look or act like they do. I may not be the greatest parent in some areas but I think my kids will be very tolerant and respectful to others both in and out of their cultures and I think that is one thing we are doing well.