With over 7000 languages worldwide, languages are a hallmark of cultural diversity. Even in English-speaking countries, people speak with linguistic variances and fluency. Yet, many people don’t appreciate this diversity and discriminate against those who don’t sound “normal” to them. Linguistic racism is a term used to describe racism perpetuated against others based on their…
Monotheism and Polytheism: What Are the Differences (and How to Respect Them)?
There is a smorgasbord of religions around the world. Each faith tradition captures our culture, history, and practices that get passed down through generations. If all religions are correctly understood, we’ll see that they are simply different windows we use for looking at higher realms of living and being. By learning about the differences between…
Minority Groups Around the World And Their Importance
Minorities are a group of people within a community or country who differ from the main population because of their ethnic, cultural, religious and linguistic affiliations. Their rights are highlighted because they are in a vulnerable position compared to others. The pain felt by minority groups is palpable, and the disadvantages they face are real….
7 Elements of Culture and How it Shapes Our Life
Culture is the shared language in a community. The holidays celebrated, the religions practiced, the way we communicate, and the food we cook all fall under the umbrella of culture. But knowing a culture on a surface level can lead us to stereotypes and a belief that everyone in a group is alike. One way…
Revolutions That Changed the World and How Conflict Shapes Us
Revolutions are instruments of change. They are often used when an existing leadership refuses to embrace progress. These transformations are fundamental to the growth and evolution of civilization. Learning about revolutions that changed the world can help us appreciate the sacrifices made by our ancestors and encourage us to embark on our own revolutions. These…
10 Fascinating Indigenous Cultures from Around the World (and why we should protect them)
Indigenous people make up 6% of the world population, are spread across 90 countries, and speak 4000 languages. They have centuries of rich heritage consisting of cultural practices and knowledge that we can learn from. These ten fascinating indigenous cultures from around the world will not only broaden your horizons but help you recognize the…
How to Recognize the Differences in Cultural Communication Styles
The ability to communicate between cultures can give you an edge in your professional life and make you a more empathetic communicator. Each culture has different ways of expressing themselves, both verbally and non-verbally. When you learn cross-cultural communication styles, you’ll be able to recognize similarities and differences among various groups that allow you to…
Understanding Individualistic and Collectivistic Cultures and How it Impacts Us
Culture is a way of life. It consists of practices, beliefs, rules, habits, and values that are used to guide behavior. Becoming aware of your culture’s influence and using that to make conscious choices that serve both your personal growth and your community is the key to finding balance. Here, we discuss both individualistic and…
How to Develop Intercultural Empathy
Intercultural empathy is an essential competency in our diverse, global society. It leads to better communication, understanding, and respect for each other. Like any other skill, we must develop it by being aware of our blocks and replacing them with understanding and better communication skills. In doing so, we open ourselves to forming deeper and…
Accent Bias: Why We Need to Stop Accent Shaming and Discrimination
Normalizing accents is part of the broader vision to create a just society where everyone is deemed worthy, regardless of their origins. When we focus on embracing each other’s uniqueness, rather than fixating on our differences, we level the playing field. Whatever side of the accent shaming fence you find yourself on, keep these thoughts…