Breaking Down Bias: The Power of Experiencing Diverse Cultures
Lenora Billings-Harris, CSP, CPAE (she, her)
President and CEO of UbuntuGlobal
She said, “I’m glad we are finally headed towards civilized countries.” This remark came from a fellow traveler on a tour I completed in May. We had visited several locations in Indonesia and the Philippines and were on our way to New Zealand. Her comment left me stunned; speechless at first. After regaining my composure, I asked, “Why go on a tour of various countries if you did not want to experience different cultures?” Her response was, “I just want to get to the cultured countries.”
I’m not going to share the nationality, ethnicity, or age of this person because that statement could have been made by any number of people. Being cultured and civilized has different meanings for people around the world, and I do not want to bias your thoughts.
Many of us tend to judge first rather than seek understanding. Although it may be a habit, it is one we can break. By creating new neural pathways, we can shift our perspective towards being more curious and less judgmental. If you are willing to take this journey, I invite you to make a commitment to watch "30 Days" by Morgan Spurlock. (Amazon.com)
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"30 Days" is a documentary series created by Morgan Spurlock, focusing on exploring social, cultural, and economic issues by immersing participants in a new lifestyle for 30 days. The key message of the series is to challenge perceptions and spark discussions about various topics, including poverty, immigration, religion, and more. Each episode features a different participant living in circumstances far removed from their own experiences, highlighting the human impact of these issues and promoting empathy and understanding through firsthand experiences.
Watching "30 Days" can help us understand what it means to live in someone else's shoes. It encourages us to step outside our comfort zones and embrace the diverse experiences that make up our world. This documentary series is not just about observing others but about engaging deeply with the realities they face daily. By doing so, we cultivate a deeper sense of empathy and a broader understanding of what it means to be cultured and civilized.
So, join me in watching "30 Days". It is a great way to start dialogue within your circles of influence. Watch one episode a week and then have a discussion about it.? Share your thoughts and experiences with me too. Together, we can take steps towards a more inclusive and empathetic worldview.
Director, Operations at JER HR Group
8 个月The best I've been able to do in this regard was several years ago when my very small church (12 of us) decided to partner with the Turkish Cultural Center to learn about each other's religion, philosophy, history, etc. We met with them, fasted and feasted with them (I became a BIG fan of Turkish food), visited each other's homes and places of worship (we weren't allowed to actually worship with them), had countless discussions and shared in each other's trials and celebrations. It was a wonderful experience. The only area that I had difficulty with was attitudes about women, but I think the generations may be changing that, especially for folks here in the US.
Emerson said: the best way out is through. Neuroscience says: change your mind, change your life. Leslie Charles says: turn stress inside out—let it bring out your best instead of letting it get the worst of you.
8 个月I never heard of this series. Apparently Spurlock left a body of work that will continue to do good in the world. Thank you!