Content provided by the Health & Wellness Team at GBS Benefits
Our ability to understand, appreciate, and coexist with people from various backgrounds and cultures is a vital skill. Foster unity and mutual respect by doing your part to create safe and inclusive workplaces and communities. Try the following strategies:
- Attend cultural art exhibitions or another cultural event.
- Indulge in cultural cuisine and music. Visit local, ethnic restaurants to taste new flavors and dishes.
- Explore diverse entertainment through films, books, podcasts, poetry, art, etc.
- Support local minority-owned businesses. Foster economic equality and an inclusive society by supporting businesses owned by individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- Ask genuine questions. Express curiosity for other’s traditions and culture in a respectful manner.
- Adjust language by avoiding assumptions like gender, race, etc.
- Connect with people. Show interest in others’ differences and seek out common ground to connect with.
- Learn a new language for fun.
- Do your best and give others the benefit of the doubt. Generally, people are not trying to be offensive or malicious. If you notice a repeat offense, speak out or pull the individual aside to help them recognize their mistake.
- Challenge implicit biases – Take Harvard University’s free Implicit Association Tests: https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html
- Volunteer and support nonprofit organizations for cultural causes.
- Learn about cultural holiday celebrations.
