Problems of human diversity - Cultural Identity

Problems of Human Diversity Globalization and the Loss of Cultural Identity

Definition of “Diversity”

The state or fact of being different. The concept of diversity encompasses acceptance and respect. It means understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing our individual differences. These can be along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies. 

Diversity is more then understanding just the definition…

Understanding and appreciating interdependence of humanity, cultures, and the natural environment.

Practicing mutual respect for qualities and experiences that are different from our own.

Understanding that diversity includes not only ways of being but also ways of knowing;

Recognizing that personal, cultural and institutionalized discrimination creates and sustains privileges for some while creating and sustaining disadvantages for others;

Building alliances across differences so that we can work together to eradicate all forms of discrimination.

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Definition of “Globalization”

Growth to a global or worldwide scale. The worldwide movement

towards economic, financial, trade, and

communications integration.

Globalization results in… Globalization results in the expansion of international cultural, economic, and political activities.

increased international trade

a company operating in more than one country

greater dependence on the global economy

freer movement of capital, goods, and services

recognition of companies such as McDonalds and Starbucks in LEDCs

Glo

baliza

tion

Human Diversity vs. Globalization

Human Diversity Globalization

Interconnected

Globalization and Human Diversity are

interconnected by having many similarities and concluding results:

-Communication

-Travel

-Popular Culture

-Economy

Communication

News can be shown about different country’s all over the world

People can read information about foreign countries as easily as they read about their local news

Can interact with people around the world for either business or personal use

Approximately 60% of people use cell phones all around the world

Phones, internet, media (t.v, commercials), radio

Social networks such as Facebook, Skype Twitter

Travel

Many people can move to one country to another to try and find work

People also travel around the world to different countries to experience the culture and traditions, they also go for a vacation get away

Travelers are exposed to new ideas about food, which may change what they buy at the store at home

Influences trade, taste and culture

Popular Culture Music is a traveling hit around the world; people in North American be

enjoy South African music while people in China can enjoy North American pop music

Media or film industries publish their creations that can be shown in each country. All films are similar in actors. They also translate films in order for other languages and cultures to be able to experience and understand the movie

Clothing styles have become more traditional in sense that business individuals wear suits and the younger people are more common to wear jeans and a t-shirt

Exchange of foods across the globe with fast food being the biggest contributors around the world (ex. Starbucks, McDonalds, KFC, etc.) and also traditional foods from cultures can be see in other countries such as sushi, tai food, etc.

Economy International trade is vital to the economies of most countries

around the world

American software companies, such as Microsoft, rely on international trade to make large profits

To increase trade, many countries have created free trade agreements with other countries. Under free trade agreements, countries agree to remove trade barriers

The corporation can pay lower wages, because the standard of living in less developed countries is much lower

Economic markets are global

However…Many people think that globalization of human diversity may lead to loss of culture

Click to watch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6gwfMBkWQU

“Americanization”

To make or become an American in character. Assimilate to the customs, culture and institutions of the United States of America.

These aspects of “Americanization” can be categorized by:

- Clothing

- Food (fast food restaurants)

- Music

- Languages (Slag, ex. “Selfie”)

- Media

- Technology

Mirror Images of Each Other

Across each nation, everyone is developing into one culture, “Americanization.” This can be illustrated by the clothing we purchase, the food we consume, the music we listen to, and the media we view.

We are all distinctively becoming one as a culture on both and economic and social level. This has contributed to the loss of culture and traditions

of many country’s. Many traditional and cultural aspect which include historical ethnicities; music, dance, language, clothing, food, etc.

“The Magic Bean Shop” & “The Fries that bind us” (from previous slide)

a more in depth understanding The picture shown on previous slide illustrates two of America's

major francizes:

Starbucks & McDonalds

STARBUCKS: The Starbucks image (on the left side) represents data that has been collected to demonstrate the understanding of how many stores are being put up on a daily basis and how many have been built worldwide and the locations they have been built. It also shows the different countries that contribute to the making of a Starbucks coffee from where the bean has been extracted, where the paper cups are imported from and the sugar source.

McDonald’s: The McDonald’s image (on the right side) represents data that has been collected to demonstrate the understanding of how many McDonald’s have been built worldwide and the location of where each has been built. It also illustrates the comparison of sales between different francizes that are popular fast food restaurants.

According to Wang“Sociologists have frequently pointed out that while religion loses the dominant position and modernity has led to a differentiation of social institutions, modernity has not managed to become a substitute for religions for most people” (Wang, 2007)

Structural Functionalism Theory

Is a sociological perspective that views society as a

system of interconnected parts that work together in

harmony to maintain a state of balance and social

equilibrium for the whole. It focuses on how each part of

society influences and it influenced by other parts.

How does this theory relate?

By understanding the different cultures and traditions of various countries around the world, individuals of society are able to better understand and expand their knowledge on useful tools that country’s may use that another country had yet to discover.

It makes us (societies) aware of the negative and positive aspects of certain countries and issues that we could help prevent or solve.

It also enables the world to connect internationally on a personal and business level. It makes it possible for us to enjoy the different aspects of different countries in our own country that we live in, such as the food we eat, the clothing we wear, the music we listen to, the technology we use, etc.

Pluralism Each cultural aspects have been brought to other countries in order to spread cultural

diversity

This means that country’s have gained different cultural traditions to share the knowledge and understanding of different country’s cultures

Traditions spread throughout the world include:

- Religion

- Language

- Clothing

- Food

- Technology

- Media

Global Homogenization New age of globalization, people provide the uniqueness of their own

culture

Obtains the global significance of locality and the self, community and nation

Globalization brings more sensitivity of cultural identity than before

Globalization brings out the may lead to a sense of togetherness

Therefore togetherness is not contrary to diversity

When the system respects to diversity of people and their cultures in this new age, global community can be marked by pluralism

The cultures are no longer local in the traditional area, they are still diversified

Probable solutions to the negative aspects of globalization that leads

to the loss of cultural identity

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