Why Plurality in Cultural Traditions Can Fuel Racism and Discrimination

Plurality in Cultural Traditions: The Fuel to Racism and Discrimination

There’s no denying that we live in a diverse world with a multitude of cultural traditions. People from different backgrounds bring with them their unique customs and beliefs, creating a mosaic of diverse identities. While this diversity is often praised and celebrated, it’s also the root of many negative experiences for people of color, who face racism and discrimination.

It seems counterintuitive that plurality in cultural traditions, something that’s supposed to celebrate diversity, is also the root cause of racism and discrimination. However, this paradoxical situation is not new, and it’s impacting people’s quality of life around the world.

Cultural traditions are a product of the past, and they are often tied to specific histories of power and oppression. For example, many African cultures were disrupted by colonialism, which erased indigenous traditions and replaced them with the colonizers’ traditions. This, in turn, created a new cultural identity that reinforced the idea of white supremacy and contributed to the marginalization of indigenous Africans.

This marginalization is only one illustration of how cultural plurality can fuel racism and discrimination. Oftentimes, people are so attached to their cultural traditions that they can’t see how it impacts people from other cultures. This lack of empathy can and does lead to discrimination and racism.

For instance, many people from a certain culture view their values and traditions as superior to others. When they interact with people from a different culture, they treat them with disrespect or even violence because that is what they are taught in their own culture. This lack of empathy and understanding reinforces the idea of superiority and inferiority based on one’s cultural identity, leading to further division and inequity.

Moreover, discrimination based on cultural traditions is not limited to the personal sphere. It is also prevalent in the institutional and systemic levels of society. For example, when hiring employees or approving loans, organizations may discriminate against people with certain cultural identities, views, or lifestyles.

In conclusion, plurality in cultural traditions is a double-edged sword that can either promote diversity or fuel discrimination and racism. When cultural traditions become a source of oppression, it’s crucial to step back and examine how they impact others, especially those who are different from ourselves. It’s only by acknowledging and respecting each other’s differences that we can create a world where diversity is celebrated and not used to justify hate and inequality.

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