What is cultural competence? Is it something that you have or can obtain (a destination) or is it a life time journey of learning and change at the personal, interpersonal, institutional and cultural levels? Does cultural competence only apply to race or does it encompass other differences such as gender, class, disabilities, sexual orientation and religion? Are there certain individuals or professionals who are more apt to have cultural competence based on their group identities, disciplines or other factors or is cultural competence something that is accessible to all? These are only a few of the questions that arise when one begins to investigate the notion of cultural competence and the varying perspectives related to this idea.
In my work on myself and with individuals, organizations and communities, I have begun to understand cultural competence as a process which:
· Is as much about learning about myself as it is about learning about “the other”
· Is centered on relationship building across differences
· Is about building trust across differences
· Is as much about process (what I do and how I do it) as it is about content (knowledge)
· Contains a power and privilege analysis
· Acknowledges the complexities of the interconnectedness of people’s identities
· Looks at issues of oppression and change at the personal, interpersonal, institutional and cultural levels
· Incorporates a social justice framework to intentionally look at inequities and inequalities and how systems continue to advantage some groups at the expense of others
· Has individuals, communities and organizations reframing questions and seeking new, inclusive and equitable outcomes
As I reflect more on cultural competence, I realize that it begins with me. It occurs to me that it is a mixture of a lifelong process of change, skill development, risk taking, curiosity, and questioning. At times this process can be independent because of the work I need to do on myself. It can also be dependent and life giving because of the work that I need to do with people who are like me and those who are different from me to build a community of support, challenge and accountability. As a person of color, I am also aware that I can be further ahead on my journey toward cultural competence in some identity areas such as race and still have an enormous amount of work to do in areas related to gender/patriarchy, sexual orientation and other identity areas where I have more privilege and power. And there are times when I am not sure if cultural competence is the appropriate term to describe this transformative journey toward equity, inclusiveness and social justice.
Social justice educator and author Paul Kivel (www.paulkivel.com) provides us with this definition of cultural competence which I have found helpful, “Cultural competency is not something we have or don’t have. It is a process of learning about and becoming allies with people from other cultures, thereby broadening our own understanding and ability to participate in a multicultural process. The key element to becoming more culturally competent is respect for the ways that others live in and organize the world and an openness to learn from them.”
What are your thoughts about cultural competence? What have you, your organization or your community done related to issues of cultural competence? What is missing from my thoughts presented about cultural competence? What have been your success stories as they relate to cultural competence? What is your biggest challenge as you work toward cultural competence?
Dionardo Pizaña
Diversity and Personnel Specialist
Michigan State University Extension
