Something that I feel is important to share is the importance of our political leaders to be culturally competent, educated, and understanding. I feel that most people can understand the importance of our governmental leaders to be able to have such basic understandings but lately the political climate is becoming everything but tolerant. The purpose of this post is not to make it a political one, but just to demonstrate that importance of electing and choosing our leaders that possess these qualities. I recently came upon an article titled, “Trump Appointee Resigns and Apologizes for Racists Comments”. The article touches upon some of the comments that Carl Higbie, formally employed by the “federal agency that funds AmeriCorps and SeniorCorps” made in regards to “black people, Muslims, gays and lesbians” (Caron, 2018). Discussions with these groups must be done so in a way that is not offensive or oppressive. Like we have learned in this chapter, some of us might suffer from denial and I have come to encounter many people that believe the “American way” is the only right way to do things…but what exactly does that even mean? As found on page 10 of our text, “a global person does not believe that his/her nation is the best at everything and that everyone else wants to be just like him/her-rather he/she is aware that other cultures of the world have lives and viewpoints different from his/her own”. As an American leader, Mr. Higbie lacked cultural understanding and was not acting as a “global person” when he made comments that a “high percentage of people on welfare [are] in the black race” and picking at gays or others with post-traumatic stress disorders or even Muslims. This behavior and commentary is completely uncalled for and concerning. Mr. Higbie himself acknowledges his wrong doings and blamed it on his own “ignorance” (Caron, 2018).
Too many times I have heard my peers say that we are moving towards a nation that rewards “political correctness” above all, and they say it in a negative form. Like our country can’t get what it needs to get done because we are being too careful in examining what we are saying and how we are saying…to them I say, “What is wrong with that?” We should be able to use language that does not offend others and people of different ethnic, religious and sexual preference groups. We need to be leaders that are full of “worldmindedness” and are aware of “other cultures and people” (Pg. 10). Like the text mentions, this is what will lead us away from hate and fear and promote equality, fairness and good working relationships with groups of different backgrounds. I mean with globalization and diversity on the rise, isn’t it important to be able to work effectively with others by not offending them? Wouldn’t that boost teamwork and good working relationships amongst our peers and other nations? This lesson was a great starting point at teaching us the importance of being open-minded, and to not put others down based on our own personal experiences or prejudices with other groups. Ignorance is not an acceptable excuse. We must do better in picking our leaders, informing others and paving the way for cultural tolerance and acceptance.
Caron, C. (2018, January 21). Trump Appintee Resigns and Apologizes for Racists Comments. New York Times.com. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com
Moran, R. T., Abramson, N. R., & Moran, S. V. (2014). Managing Cultural Differences (Ninth ed.). New York: Routledge.