The Issue of Cultural Diversity - Essay Example

Generally, the term diversity may be used to mean the condition of being or having composed of different elements. According to Gay, cultural diversity is a key element of human identity and can be said to be a common property of humanity (12). Cultural diversity is therefore the very essence of individual identity. The broadest meaning of the term basically has to promote and acknowledge cultural pluralism. Nonetheless, equating the identity of humans with cultural diversity implies having to acknowledge that the notion of diversity itself entails the existence of unity. This is because, without unity, cultural diversity would then turn into cultural multiplicity.

            It is, therefore, against a backdrop of widespread acknowledgment of cultural differences and unity that cultural diversity can exist. This by itself is verification of human action unity where all the differences are evaluated against a backdrop that is homogeneous. Culture and diversity are essentially interrelated: culture is therefore diversity, meaning that by nature, culture is diversity. In the same way, diversity is constructed by culture. What shapes diversity is the existence of culture which gives it meaning as well as scope?  Just as culture is diversity, one would be right to say that diversity is essentially culture (Diller, 23)

Discussion

            In an effort to understand and know our own culture we must put an effort to learn to examine it from other cultures' points of view or perspectives. This can be done by comparing our own cultural beliefs and customs with those of other places and times. In the world that we are living today, having external diversity on the retreat as well as globalization knocking at our door, it is becoming a matter of great importance and priority to preserve and protect the internal diversity possessed by every society in their subgroups and constituent group. In so doing everything that creates their difference which the high esteem can be preserved and respected.

            Cultural diversity should be encouraged to a degree at which it is possible for different groups around the world to be able to preserve their cultural characteristics in their respective and different social groups (Diller, 38). This should be done in the same way the plant or animal species are persevered and protected in an effort to avert possible extinction of the biological diversity of plants and animals in the world and also for purposes of preventing the destruction of our ecosystem. In the same backdrop, cultural diversity must be protected and maintained for purposes of safeguarding our respective society groups’ vitality and at the very least the existing reminiscences of irreplaceable practices, know-how, and customs that must not at one particular point be allowed to fade away.

            Even though the world has become a global village through globalization and civilization cultural diversity still remains to be the key player of human identity which belongs to all of us. This makes cultural diversity a source of collective as well as individual wealth and should in view of that, be advocated and acknowledged for purposes of both the present and future generation. Cultural diversity stands for the promotion as well as recognition of the plurality of different cultures in the widest sense. Preservation of cultural diversity is a very important principle that is inseparable from respect for human dignity. Cultural diversity implies a commitment to fundamental freedoms and human rights, principally the right of an individual or individuals belonging to indigenous people and the minorities.

            Culture itself takes diverse across space as well as time. The diversity that ensues from different cultures is personified in the plurality and uniqueness of identities of various groups and different societies that constitute the human race. It goes without saying that as a source of creativity, exchange, and innovation, cultural diversity is as significant for the human race as biodiversity is when it comes to nature and the ecosystem. For this reason, cultural diversity is the common heritage of all mankind (Gay, 44).

Conclusion

            Cultural diversity is a key element of human identity and it is a common property of humanity. The concept of diversity itself entails the existence of unity. This follows the reasoning that without unity, cultural diversity would be no more than cultural multiplicity. Culture and diversity are in actual fact interrelated. Simply put, culture by nature is diversity. In the same way, diversity is constructed by culture (Chryssochoou, 36). Thus, just as culture is diversity, one would be right to say that diversity is essentially culture. In an effort to know and understand our own culture we must put an effort to learn to examine it from other cultures' points of view or perspectives. This can be done by comparing our own cultural beliefs and customs with those of other places and times.

            As a source of creativity, exchange, and innovation, cultural diversity is as significant for the human race as biodiversity is when it comes to nature and the ecosystem. It is also a source of collective as well as individual wealth and should in this respect, be advocated and acknowledged for purposes of both the present and future generations. Preservation and protection of cultural diversity are inseparable from respect for human dignity. Cultural diversity must, therefore, be sheltered and preserved for purposes of safeguarding our respective society groups’ vitality and at the very least the existing recollections of unique know-how, customs, and practices that must be allowed to fade away.