Us professionals on the committee (myself and Rafael Rivera) were focused on what the group leader should do as the person responsible for the group. It hadn't occurred to us that the consumers in the group would have some responsibilities that would have a direct bearing on the usefulness and cultural competency of the group. This revelation sent our discussion in a new direction as we discussed the importance of creating an atmosphere where people are free to be themselves and not feel pressure to conform to expectations coming from the group leader, the organization, or other group members. Thus, the idea of creating an approach that establishes an atmosphere of openness and acceptance was born. We decided to name the concept Cultural Infusion.
Cultural Infusion is defined as:
The incorporation of culture and cultural identity into every aspect of treatment and organizational functioning.
Before I go any further lets define some of the terms commonly used in discussions of culture. A very basic definition of culture is the collection of beliefs and practices that distinguishes one group from another. Of course in reality it is much more complicated because there is so much overlap, interchange, and interaction among groups that it would be extremely difficult to find an individual that practices only one culture or belongs to only one culture. We are all multicultural in one way or another in our daily behavior. It has become necessary to be so. Nevertheless, we tend to have a primary cultural identity. Some of us identify with our primary culture very strongly while others are more fluid in our identification with a particular culture. Also, different circumstances demand different cultural responses. When we are around family we may behave and speak very differently than when we are at the doctor's office or at work.
Yet, we can define two major types of culture within this context.
1. Popular Culture*
The unconscious fluid reaction to everyday life and environment.
2. National Culture*
•Self-conscious collective thought and practice thru which a people creates itself, celebrates itself and introduces itself to history and humanity.
Examples of Popular Culture include: Hip-Hop Country Western Music High-heeled shoes Shirts & Ties Slang expressions
Local Vernacular
TV Shows Hair Styles & on & on
Examples of National Culture include:
Specific Language
Stars and Stripes Red, Black, and Green Flag National Anthems Traditional Rituals and Celebrations
•Kwanzaa
•Cinco de Mayo
Cultural Songs and Stories
To conclude this introduction lets make some distinctions between Cultural Sensitivity, Cultural Competence, and Cultural Infusion.
In Cultural Sensitivity the emphasis is on openness. Each individual encountered is received and approached with an attitude of openness and non-judgment. The provider attempts to be open to the culture of the individual they are encountering. However, they may know very little about the culture and ignorant to biases they may possess towards the persons culture. When European Missionaries went to Africa and other places with very different cultures they went with an attitude of openness. Nevertheless, they came with many biases and assumptions and were most often very paternalistic.
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In Cultural Competence the emphasis is on knowledge and understanding. An effort is made to understand the culture and sometimes the language of the culture encountered. Cultural nuances are discerned and understood. The person becomes an "expert" on a particular culture or cultures. While learning about a culture often assist with eliminating bias it is not guaranteed. Even a person with the best intentions could maintain certain previously held biases unconsciously that would interfere with establishing healthy and therapeutic relationships.
In Cultural Infusion the emphasis is on acceptance. The individual learns to accept people just as they are and accept the fact that they may have hidden biases that must be discovered. Cultural Infusion goes both ways. The person must be aware and comfortable with their own culture and cultural dynamics in order to accept the culture and cultural dynamics of another individual. In Cultural Infusion biases are actively searched out and identified so that they can be released. The person must be willing and able to accept another's culture on an equal footing with their own. Sometimes this means elevating ones own sense of culturally identity at other times it means elevating the perception of the other persons culture. Finally, Cultural Infusion is strength based. An active process of identifying the strength of your own culture as well as the other person's is critical.
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In future blogs we will get into more detail on the various issues identified above and utilize many examples. Bias, prejudice and racism are impediments to the building of healthy and therapeutic relationships and can be very harmful and destructive. We will discuss these issues and go into great detail on how to deal with such problems whether you are the one who is biased or the object of the bias.
We will also discuss in detail the application and usefulness of the concept Cultural Infusion.
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*From Kawaida Theory by Maulana Karenga
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