Examining the Link: Does Plurality in Cultural Traditions Lead to Racism?
In a world that’s rapidly becoming increasingly diverse, often, we see cultural pluralism as a positive development. Cultural diversity is a result of globalization, which is leading many people to experience new cultures, traditions, and lifestyles. At the same time, diversity can lead to cultural clashes, misunderstandings, and discrimination. In this article, we’ll be exploring how plurality in cultural traditions can lead to racism by examining the recent Quizlet Insights report.
The Quizlet Insights report reveals that college students in America regularly use derogatory terms while studying cultures distinct from their own. Quizlet is a digital education platform with more than 50 million users globally, it analyzed millions of study resources, including flashcards, study guides, and transcripts to uncover insights into student behavior and academic trends. The report collected data from over 105,000 students in the United States and showed that nearly 60% of students use racially and culturally inappropriate terms in their study materials.
The report highlights the fact that the use of derogatory terms is not confined to a particular region, race, or type of institution. The study found that the use of inappropriate language and lack of sensitivity occurred across different regions in the US, educational backgrounds, and ethnicities. The report mentioned a case where a student had labeled a traditional Korean dress as a “weird, ugly chicken nugget dress.” Furthermore, students are observed using racial slurs, pejorative comments about physical appearances, and misrepresentations of cultural and religious traditions.
The report concludes that the problem lies in a lack of cultural awareness and understanding. When students do not have any background knowledge about a certain culture, they often resort to derogatory terms, stereotypes, and other inappropriate behavior. It is important to note that the negative stereotypes that one uses in study materials or daily conversation can shape the individual’s attitudes and beliefs in the long run and consequently lead to structural racism.
In conclusion, we can understand from the Quizlet Insights report that plurality in cultural traditions does lead to racism when an absence of cultural awareness and sensitivity exists. It is essential that educational institutions and curriculums teach cultural competency. Everyone has to be mindful of their language, behaviors, and biases in an effort to promote a more inclusive society. To build a future that is sustainable, well-informed, just, and equitable for all, it is our responsibility to create a world that values the diversity of all cultures, traditions, and lifestyles. The Quizlet Insights report is a wake-up call to all of us; it showcases the importance of cultural competence and encourages all individuals to educate themselves about cultures different from their own and to be cognizant of their words and actions.
