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As human beings, we thrive on diversity. Through exposure to new ideas, cultures, and perspectives, we enrich our own understanding of the world and deepen our empathy for those who may have vastly different backgrounds or experiences. However, despite the many benefits of diversity, our cultural canon remains predominantly white, male, and Western-centric.
The cultural canon refers to the body of works, ideas, and traditions that are widely recognized and celebrated within a particular society or group. In the Western world, this canon has historically been dominated by white men, with a few exceptions for women and people of color who have achieved exceptional recognition.
The problem with this limited representation is that it perpetuates a narrow and imbalanced view of the world. When we only celebrate a small subset of voices and perspectives, we miss out on countless insights and perspectives that could enrich our lives.
Moreover, when marginalized voices are excluded from the cultural canon, they are also excluded from critical conversations and decision-making processes. This perpetuates their marginalization, while reinforcing the hegemony of the dominant cultural group.
Fortunately, there has been a growing movement to diversify the cultural canon. Through initiatives such as #OwnVoices and #WeNeedDiverseBooks, writers, artists, and activists are pushing for greater representation of marginalized people in literature, media, and the arts.
But diversifying the cultural canon requires more than just adding a few token voices. It requires a fundamental shift in how we view and value different perspectives. This means actively seeking out and amplifying the voices of marginalized people, working to overcome the bias and prejudice that has been built into our cultural institutions, and recognizing that a diverse cultural landscape benefits us all.
Because when we diversify the cultural canon, we not only enrich our own lives, but we also create a more just and equitable world where everyone’s voice is heard and valued.
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