The Dangerous Impact of Plurality in Cultural Traditions: How It Leads to Racism

The Dangerous Impact of Plurality in Cultural Traditions: How It Leads to Racism

Cultural traditions uplift societal values and provide the foundation for different ethnicities. However, the emergence of various cultural beliefs and practices can create tension and misunderstandings among different groups. Plurality in cultural traditions can lead to the marginalization of certain groups, resulting in racism. This blog article explores the dangerous impact of plurality in cultural traditions and how it leads to racism.

The Complexities of Cultural Traditions and Its Impact on Society

Cultural traditions help to shape societal norms and values. Societies have unique cultural traits that promote individuality and encourage people to take pride in their heritage. However, as a society grows and evolves, new groups emerge, making cultural diversity more complex. Cultural practices and traditions that were once celebrated as unique can be seen as a threat by others, leading to tension and conflict.

For instance, an African tribe celebrates its cultural traditions through body modification, while other groups view it as barbaric. As a result, this can lead to the marginalization of the said tribe and discrimination based on their culture.

The Perils of Plurality in Cultural Traditions

Plurality in cultural traditions has significant perils that can lead to serious consequences. When multiple cultures coexist, there are high chances of misunderstanding and a clash of cultural beliefs and practices. This clash leads to the dominant culture labeling other cultures as ‘inferior’ or ‘barbaric’ by belittling their practices, which can lead to racism.

Furthermore, unique cultural practices can give rise to stereotypes that can be damaging to the group’s identity. For instance, certain ethnicities are often stereotyped as ‘dangerous’ or ‘uneducated’ based on their cultural background, leading to racism.

How Plurality leads to racism

When cultural identity is threatened, individuals respond as if their identity is under attack, leading to a defensive mechanism that results in marginalization. As a result, the majority culture’s dominant narrative presents the minority groups’ traditions and beliefs as unwanted disturbances. The feeling of ‘otherness’ from the mainstream society can lead to feelings of exclusion, leading to internalized oppression and, in some cases, externalized violence.

For example, a Kurd living in a majority Sunni area of Iraq may be discriminated against for his cultural identity, giving rise to feelings of exclusion, leading to internalized oppression and eventual discrimination based on the Kurd’s ethnicity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, plurality in cultural traditions can have significant perils that lead to various types of racism. It can marginalize groups, create stereotypes, and lead to tension and conflict among different groups. Therefore, as a society, we must accept and celebrate diversity and the existence of multiple cultures; this can help us promote better understanding and embrace differences, which can lead to a peaceful coexistence of all cultures.