4.2 Diversity Is More than Just Culture
Culture is one of those words that is difficult to explain and differs according to its use and context, even within academic disciplines. Culture, according to one source, is defined as “the collective programming of the human mind that distinguishes the members of one human group from those of another. Culture in this sense is a system of collectively held values” (Hofstede, 1991). Culture also includes “a learned set of shared interpretations about beliefs, values, norms and social practices which affect behaviors of a relatively large group of people” (Lustig and Koester, 1999). For the purposes of this text, culture refers to the set of beliefs, customs, and rituals shared by a group of individuals. This may refer to a group of people who identify with a certain place (such as indigenous groups) or with a particular religion (such as people who identify as Jewish). As an intern, you may meet people from a variety of cultures—some you may share yourself, some you may be familiar with, and some that are new. This can create challenges for you on a daily basis.
Understanding what culture means is not easy when a society is composed of several racial and ethnic groups with a long history of subjugation and marginalization. Since the 1790 census, the United States’ racial and ethnic diversity has grown exponentially. The latest U.S. Census (2020) shows the following racial and ethnic makeup:
- 57.8% White
- 16.3% Hispanic or Latino (of any race)
- 12.6% Black or African American
- 6.2% other races
- 4.8% Asian
- 2.9% two or more races
- 0.9% American Indian and Alaska Native
- 0.2% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
As you can see from this data, people of color make up almost half of the population, yet this population is overrepresented in all social deficits, such as poverty, incarceration, homicide, and low medical care measures. The graphic in figure 4.1 shows how US demographics have changed over the past 20 years.
Cultural identity in the United States is inextricably linked to race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Throughout the nation’s history, cultural identity has been a divisive force that prevented access to resources, rights, and benefits to those who did not conform with the predominant racial majority. This historical dynamic has shaped the identity of the nation.
Using an Equity Lens
As an intern, you will be encouraged to use an equity lens when working with clients. An equity lens involves creating the conditions that will enable underserved and marginalized populations to advance toward a level that is economically and socially equitable with that enjoyed by the dominant classes (Equity Lens, 2019).
Recent changes in the United States’ diverse population and its representation in public and private institutions show more people of color holding positions of power than in previous generations. But that does not mean that people of color in the United States have reached pari