Deepening Cultural SelfAwareness Enhancing Knowledge Skills and CrossCultural

Deepening Cultural Self-Awareness Enhancing Knowledge, Skills, and Cross-Cultural Engagement Dr. Sentwali Bakari Vice Chancellor for Student Success

Rhythm Circle • Helps begin our conversation about inclusiveness. • Unique sound that will never be duplicated.

Objectives • Examine our cultural lens and worldview to create an inclusive campus community. • Learn more about our own cultural identity and perception of others.

Race Car

Johari Window Understanding Ourselves and Others OPEN AREA/FREE BLIND AREA HIDDEN UNKNOWN

Cultural Self-Awareness What comes to mind when you hear the term cultural self-awareness? Group Activity

Cultural Identity Groups • Name visible diversity traits that people often identify with? • Name invisible diversity traits that people often identify with?

Worldview • Worldview is defined as the perceptions, attitudes, beliefs, and assumptions that individuals and groups hold about the world (Asante, 1990). • The unique ideas and cultural characteristics that shape a particular group of peoples’ worldview, thinking, and belief system (Nobles, 1978).

Cultural Demonstration • What adjectives would you use to describe this culture? • Why were we inclined to view this culture a certain way?

Inclusive Culture • Environment in which members are respected, valued, and are connected and are committed to the vision of the organization.

Inclusive Culture • Opportunity to learn about ourselves and others. • Increased interaction and retention of members. • Access to greater human resources and skills • Opportunity for synergy.

Inclusive Culture • Members are able to transcend differences and barriers created by lived experiences and move toward the integration of person’s experiences, culture, and perspectives.

Moving Forward • Increase awareness of our values, biases, and assumptions about human behavior. • Acquire knowledge and understanding of the worldview of culturally diverse groups in the U. S. and different countries.

Lived Experiences Understanding racial, cultural, and ethnic differences/perspectives, can only come from lived experiences and reality. It is not just a cognitive exercise.

Personal Action Steps • Seek ways to interact with others who may have different experiences and worldviews. • Respect all contributions—no matter how lame it may initially appear. • Recognize multiple interests.

Personal Action Steps • Look toward solutions. • Move away from “what’s in it for me. ” • Reduce fear of engaging with those who are different from ourselves. • Become a global citizen.