In their recent work on Multicultural Psychology Organista et al., (2018) posited that, even though Psychologists have significantly contributed to our understanding of racial, ethnic, and cultural differences, we are still struggling to find ways to adequately address and examine how race, ethnicity, gender, income, and culture interact in influencing people’s behavior. In this discussion I will address the significance of Multicultural Awareness as a general social construct and, how this specific Awareness needs to be incorporated with Diversity and Inclusion to redress some of the inequities of my profession. I will close with some reflections on how my understanding and comprehension of Multiculturalism can assist me in my career.
A discussion on the significance of Multicultural Awareness
In their book on Multicultural Psychology, Organista et al., (2018) sums up Multicultural Awareness as “How culture influences the way people feel, think, and act.” (p. 5). As Sison, (2017) observed in her article: Even before we begin examining the way others think about cultural influences, “we need to re-examine our own assumptions” as they relate to how we practice being culturally aware, rather than how we theorize about it. (pp. 130-132). I agree.
The practice of Cultural Mindfulness trumps any theories about it. To paraphrase Organista, we only better understand another individual’s views and experiences when we step into that person’s shoes. It was for that reason a group of psychologists and medical doctors chose to examine an American Indian man awaiting a liver transplant. From beginning to end, the medical team was determined to illustrate the real life and death benefits of a multicultural team approach. Various components of the patient’s ethnicity, culture, intellectual functioning, socioeconomic status, and mental health history were assessed. These factors, among others, ultimately led to the patient’s candidacy for transplant, as well as effective psychosocial support throughout the transplant process and recovery. Not only did the team save the patient’s life, they also now recommend that the National Liver Transplantation Guidelines be changed to incorporate more specific psychosocial factors, which would likely improve outcomes. (Hamilton et al., 2019)
The significance of Multicultural Awareness, Inclusion, and Diversity in my profession
The case of the formation of stereotypes in treatment of Muslims after the September 11 tragedy represents how historical and geopolitical events influence our perceptions of ethnicity, race, and culture. Unfortunately, America has an abysmal record of Diversity and Inclusion. In my legal profession, courts would be more equitable if they were to follow the advice of Lisa Nishii (2013; as cited in Sison, M.D. 2017) that, to focus on diversity while valuable is not sufficient. Addressing increasing social inequities in our societies have magnified the need for inclusion. It would indeed be a feat within legal circles if defendants were ever able to affirm that their experiences with the American Justice System was equitable, respectful, and inclusive.
Conclusion
In reflecting on my understanding of Multicultural issues and its impact on my career, I have only two words: Cultural Competence. Culture is not an objective phenomenon awaiting discovery but is socially constructed. In recent research, Loue et al., (2015) discovered gaps and sharp contracts between how medical students and patient care attach when understanding a patients’ cultural beliefs. Through multiple research and trial methods, it was concluded that consideration of patients’ culture is either very important or moderately important in the context of providing care and, engaging in self-reflection may be critical to heighten student awareness of and comfort in interacting with diverse populations. (Loue et al., 2015). For me, there’s little doubt that the more culturally aware and competent I become is the more I can ensure that people, via the legal system are able to enjoy equal access to the law, services, political, social, and physical spaces.
References
Hamilton, J.L., Eways K.R., Fohn, S., & Dunn, W. (1996). Journal of clinical psychology in medical settings 2019 Sep; Vol. 26 (3), pp. 282-290.
Loue, S., Wilson-Delfosse, A., & Limbach, K. (2015). Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health; New York Vol. 17, Issue 5, pp. 1412-1419.
Nishii, L.H. (2013). The benefits of climate for inclusion for gender-diverse groups, Academy of Management Journal, 56 (6) (2013), pp. 1754-1774
Organista, P.B., Marin, G., & Chun, K.M. (2018). Multicultural Psychology, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/ncent-ebooks/detail.action?docID=5399211
Sison, M. D. (2017). Communicating across, within, and between, cultures: Toward inclusion and social changes. Public Relations Review Journal, 43(1), 130-132.