Understanding cultural diversity requires leaving politics, economics, and preconceived notions aside. The document discusses how cultural, religious, and racial biases have historically divided groups and led to harmful actions like slavery and genocide of Native Americans. It argues that the core beliefs of most major religions acknowledge a higher power, and differences between groups are often overemphasized for political gain rather than acceptance of shared beliefs. True understanding requires replacing biases with knowledge of other cultures gained through ethical research and consideration of others' perspectives.

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Understanding Cultural Diversity Through Ethical Means
By Lynne Weaver
Is it possible to understand the difference between our viewpoints of a culture and how
those imbedded in a culture see themselves? Attempts at bridging gaps between cultural and
religious groups, economists and intellectuals, or politicians and the masses, is challenged by
cultural differences and the general distrust of those in power and even in humanity itself. By
positioning oneself within a culture, can we wipe away preconceived notions by replacing false
viewpoints with opinions based purely on scientific and historical research?
Understanding cultural and religious diversity through ethical means would require that
we leave politics and economic gain out of the equation. Our own culture and sense of who we
are in society affects how we view others outside of our own community. Those who
characterize themselves by their wealth and social status may not be able to understand those
whose culture is based on religious beliefs and customs rather than economics. The same is true
if the situation were reversed. To the extreme, a monk living in minimalistic celibacy would not
mentally connect with a person of great wealth pondering over which wine will most impress
guests of similar wealth or whether to wear the Armani or the Versace suit. Equally, an economic
or moral viewpoint of a far-left liberalist would be in sharp contrast to that of a right-wing
Christian conservative.
Taking a look back in history may indicate to the majority that politics and economic
growth were dependent upon pushing ethics to the back burner. Racism was born out of the need
for the acquisition of power and property: power aka politics and property aka economics.
Competition driven by social status and a place within the hierarchy differentiated Christian
slave owners from the slaves they considered less than human while foreign armies pitted
themselves against the Indians. Politicians of all parties were joined by a tug of war for power
and religious groups by moral issues, and each by the definition of their own diverse culture.
Lost was the culture of the black slaves who were ripped from their home and humanity. Lost
was the culture of those native to America who were forced into Christianity or killed.

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With the events of 9-11, a new awareness of cultural diversity made itself known in the
United States. A group of terrorists who were also Muslims and worshippers of the philosophy
and religion of Islam, chose to destroy buildings and annihilate those living in the U.S. The Islam
religion is based on the belief that God (Allah) transmitted knowledge to Muhammad and other
prophets (Adam, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus). The followers of Islamic religion, Muslims,
believe that this revelation to humanity was written down in the Quran, which is the flawless
word of God. In studies between Christianity and Islam, there are clear similarities although the
names and ceremonial rites differ. Native Americans believe in a Creator and are deeply rooted
in their culture. They believe that all that was created is sacred; every animal, plant, or parts
thereof. The four elements of Wind, Water, Air and Fire are of great significance to Native
Americans. What most religions have in common is the basic belief of one great being, a God, a
Creator. But yet, we argue over which religion is the best, the most meaningful, contains the
only truth or represents the highest and greatest power. Because those that follow the religion of
their choice all seem to believe in the existence of one greater than themselves, don’t the words
“He who believes in me….” acknowledge that Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Native American
and other religions are based under the idealism that a God exists? Why is that one thread not
enough to create acceptance of the religions of others?
Some may ask, what does religion have to do with the topic of terrorism? Why do some
connect Muslims with terrorists? Because the terrorists who brought war inside the United
States were Muslims does that mean that all Muslims are terrorists? If that were true then it
would follow that all Christians are murderers of Indians, slaves and innocent people and that all
are stealers of land and rapists of Black slaves. Were Ted Bundy or Charles Manson Christians?
If so, does that indicate that all Christians are serial killers or that all Americans are serial killers?
Not so many years ago, many Caucasians referred to American Indians as lazy, drunken
thieves without giving it a second thought as to why they hold that belief. Imagine for a moment
being uprooted from your home, children ripped from the arms of their parent only to be sent to
an Indian orphanage, stripped of religious, cultural and traditional beliefs and separated forever
from your identity. Indians were herded onto trains to be relocated to the barren western states
and many were never heard from again. Those that survived were dumped onto reservations
without facilities with little or no opportunity to make a living or provide for themselves. Later,

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agreements and treaties that contained the words, “…and held by them and their heirs
forever…” that would settle with the Indians for stolen lands, were not upheld. Decades later,
lawsuits and land claims against the U.S. government to force payment and uphold treaties which
also forced Indians to prove their existence through the federal acknowledgement process,
created more animosity between Indians and the predecessors of those being held responsible.
With the election of the United States first black president, we have witnessed a cohesive
transformation between the races, but at the same time, racism has emerged from places where it
had, seemingly, been laid to rest. Attempts to connect the dots between Blacks, Blacks that are
Muslim and Muslims who are terrorists are acts of racism. The fact that the president is black
also seems to connect him to terrorism in the minds of some. Because Barack Obama is also a
Democrat, he has brought out the worst in some people who are also Republican. Not all
Republicans believe Obama is a Muslim terrorist just as not all Republicans are racially biased.
Some Democrats may be racially biased or believe that Obama is a Muslim terrorist. Some may
be anti-Obama for no reason other than he is a Democrat. Some can’t stomach Sarah Palin
because she seems so focused on the fact that she believes Obama to be a Muslim terrorist who
will be setting up death panels, and that tells little of what she really stands for.
Many religious leaders have chosen political sides based on their beliefs. Some
Conservative Republicans are often strong anti-abortionists, and some are not, but may have
racial bias against certain groups. Some left-wing Liberalists have strong political views but may
be anti-abortion because they were raised in a strict Catholic home. Is there any doubt that there
are Muslims who fear the racial bias of all American’s, even though most Americans will say
that they are free of racially biased thought? Are some Americans who do not have Native
American blood fearful that one day, the Indians will successfully take back their land or that
some are afraid the minorities are headed for a takeover of U.S. soil?
A good test of your view of cultural diversity and racial bias is this simple test of
imagination. Suppose you are in the middle of a dimly lit parking lot when you are approached
from different directions by a bearded white man dressed in leather and chains, a black man
wearing a suit, a man dressed in Muslim attire, a white woman carrying a brief case, and
someone wearing a ‘hoodie’ and baggy jeans with their face partially hidden. Who do you run

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from and which one do you run to for safety? Suppose they switch garments. Now who do you
run from and who do you run to? Do we base our fears on the truth or what we believe to be true
because we exist in a culture different from others?
Diverse cultural communities will always exist within or outside the confines of politics,
economics and religion because history has shown us that the need for challenge, competition
and dominance is human nature whether it be between or within cultures, races, politicians,
countries or genders.
While the harmful effects of racism will likely remain with us because of the imperfection
of human beings, acceptance between races necessary to bridge cultural differences can be
achieved by way of ethical means and respect for all humanity.