Cultural Competence

"Cultural responsiveness" is the new catch phrase in the social work field. It's one of 7 values in the DCFS Practice Model. I was required to take a Diversity course in grad school. The point is, culture is constantly on my mind.

So what is culture? Wikipedia says it is "all the ways of life including arts, beliefs, and institutions of a population that are passed down from generation to generation." Okay, that's pretty clear cut. But have you ever thought that the way one culture views another is part of the first culture's culture? For example, the way Americans view Muslims is part of the American culture, because it probably differs from the way the French view Muslims. I'm talking stereotypes here -- the stereotypes we adopt become ingrained in our culture.

Now, flip that idea around, and think how other cultures might view Americans. What stereotypes come to mind about our silly little country? My question was answered last week while I was getting my nails done at my little Vietnamese salon. They were playing this video (from Vietnam) of some popular variety show set in a huge auditorium. It was like an American awards show, except instead of giving awards, they had alternating acts of singing, dancing, drama, comedy skits, etc. I can honestly say it was the weirdest and most hilarious thing I have ever seen. I'm not sure if they were trying to imitate American culture or make fun of it.

Act 1: American Gangster rap (in English)
Act 2: Traditional Vietnamese opera
Act 3: A Britney Spears and/or stripper impersonator
Act 4: A comedy skit in Vietnamese
Act 5: More gangster rap and some Chris Brown-type dancing
Act 6: A female Vietnamese performer whose style of singing resembled Celine Dion
Act 7: Cowboys and indians, running all over the stage, fake-shooting each other. The dialogue was something like, "Lao tze dao de jing HE GOT ME yih jian tai hai tao tang!"

It's pretty embarrasing to realize that's how other cultures think of us, but I guess we're kind of asking for it.