Your reply post should read 500 to 600 words and should reference at least one citation from the article the other student read for their initial post. To receive the maximum points, your post should include a reference from all of this week’s readings along with an article other students read.
Prompt
Analyze another student’s initial post. Examine their application of an article to this week’s discussion topic and compare it to your own application.
Parameters
- Analyze one student’s initial post. What are one or two major questions you have after reading their post?
- Reread the section(s) of the readings they referenced, as well as the article they cited; then, use these sources to address your question(s)
- Your reply post should follow APA guidelines.
Peer: Ava
To cultivate and maintain cultural humility is a challenge for many reasons. Since cultural humility requires the acknowledgment of power imbalances, those who are in such positions of power are called to relinquish it in order to truly understand other’s experiences. This, in sum, is the idea of what humility is in the cultural context. Weidman et al.(2018) explained the dimensions of humility, as researchers are still unsure of what humility really means. On one hand, it is seen in a positive light, as if to possess it is to be good, in some sense. This idea is named as “appreciative humility,” elicited by success and celebrations of others. Arguably, some research reflects on the darker areas of it questioning if some’s use of it is “self-abasing,” meaning the structure of one’s humility may be associated with dispositions of negative self image, shame, and submissiveness (Weidman et al., 2018).
The majority’s idea behind cultural humility’s difficulties in maintenance is by reason of inherent biases, privilege, change, and societal barriers. This is an argument that is well and good, but lacks a very important detail (Weidman et al., 2018). As mentioned above, humility is seen as a quality to be celebrated. Individual’s who utilize it are then awarded with dwelling in morality’s compass. But are they truly?
Well, this depends. Cultural humility claims to be framed in a positive light, attempting to foster open-mindedness. Possible negative associations with it are submission and passivity. Some people do not maintain cultural humility through this explanation. Are they wrong?
Cultural humility requires individuals in certain privileged positions to engage in self-reflection in order to be able to acknowledge those who are in different situations. The dark connection to this is within the constancy of self reflection, one may feel burnout by the emotionally taxing process (Weidman et al., 2018).
The essence of the practice involves the attempt to create authentic respect of diverse cultures. However, certain fear-mongering messages may result in an individual’s over-fixation to remain out of the “culturally insensitive” spotlight, regardless of their previous biases.
To assess Forbes, this author metaphorically expressed the idealized need for acknowledgement towards the marginalized populations. As he puts it, the greed and exploitation of imperialist societies caused trauma (Forbes 2008). This is similar to the movement that the advocation of cultural humility is trying to forewarn. The book continues to encourage the self reflection, integration of diverse perspectives, and criticism. The truth behind the challenge to cultivate cultural humility may be the tendency, or intention, to elicit self abasement, as well as it may be basic privileged ignorance to societal readjustment.
So, with that, is cultural humility the light or the dark?
References
Forbes, J. (2008). Columbus and other cannibals: The Wetiko disease of exploitation, imperialism, and terrorism. Seven Stories Press.
Weidman, A. C., Cheng, J. T., & Tracy, J. L. (2018). The psychological structure of humility. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 114(1), 153.
Analyzing Ava’s Initial Post on Cultural Humility
Ava’s post provides a nuanced exploration of cultural humility, drawing from Weidman et al. (2018) and Forbes (2008) to highlight the complexities and potential challenges of cultivating this quality. While her discussion is insightful, it raises some questions that warrant further exploration. Specifically, two major questions emerge:
- How can individuals in positions of power balance cultural humility without falling into self-abasement or burnout?
- What practical strategies can be implemented to foster genuine cultural humility without perpetuating the negative aspects highlighted by Weidman et al. (2018)?
Addressing the Questions
Balancing Cultural Humility and Self-Abasement
Ava rightly points out the potential for cultural humility to lead to negative self-reflection, which can result in self-abasement or burnout. This is a significant concern, as continuous self-reflection without support can indeed be emotionally taxing. According to Weidman et al. (2018), humility involves both positive and negative dimensions. They describe “appreciative humility” as a positive aspect associated with celebrating others’ successes, while “self-abasing humility” can lead to negative self-perception and submissiveness. This duality suggests that cultural humility must be approached with a balance to avoid its darker aspects.
To address this, individuals in positions of power should engage in cultural humility through a structured approach that includes:
- Support Systems: Regular peer support groups where individuals can share experiences and strategies for maintaining cultural humility without feeling isolated.
- Professional Development: Ongoing training that not only highlights the importance of cultural humility but also provides tools for self-care and managing emotional labor.
- Reflective Practices: Structured reflective practices such as journaling or supervised debriefing sessions can help individuals process their experiences without becoming overwhelmed.
Practical Strategies for Genuine Cultural Humility
Ava’s reference to Forbes (2008) emphasizes the importance of acknowledging historical trauma and integrating diverse perspectives. This aligns with the core of cultural humility, which requires an ongoing commitment to self-evaluation and the recognition of power imbalances. However, Ava’s question about whether cultural humility is inherently positive or negative suggests the need for practical strategies to foster this quality genuinely.
One effective strategy is the implementation of cultural competence training programs that go beyond surface-level diversity training. These programs should:
- Emphasize Empathy and Active Listening: Encouraging participants to actively listen and empathize with individuals from diverse backgrounds can foster a deeper understanding and respect.
- Promote Collaboration: Creating opportunities for collaborative projects that require input and cooperation from diverse groups can help dismantle power imbalances and promote mutual respect.
- Encourage Community Engagement: Engaging with the community through service projects or partnerships with local organizations can provide practical experience in cultural humility and reinforce its positive aspects.
Conclusion
Ava’s post effectively highlights the challenges and dualities of cultural humility. By addressing the potential for self-abasement and providing practical strategies, we can better navigate the complexities of cultural humility. Support systems, professional development, and reflective practices are crucial for balancing cultural humility with self-care. Additionally, cultural competence training programs that emphasize empathy, collaboration, and community engagement can foster genuine cultural humility without perpetuating its negative aspects.
References
Forbes, J. (2008). Columbus and other cannibals: The Wetiko disease of exploitation, imperialism, and terrorism. Seven Stories Press.
Weidman, A. C., Cheng, J. T., & Tracy, J. L. (2018). The psychological structure of humility. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 114(1), 153.
By analyzing Ava’s initial post and the cited readings, it becomes clear that cultural humility is a multifaceted concept requiring careful balance and practical implementation to avoid its potential pitfalls.