06 Dec Beyond Assimilation – Identifying Strategies for Cultural Recognition

Global communities continue to struggle with the challenge of integrating new populations into their societies.  And there are no signs of slowing down. The naïve expectation that cultural groups must or will assimilate and gravitate to the locally dominant cultural norms is unrealistic.  It invariably leads to intersectionality or the creation of overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination and disadvantage.

Cultural Assimilation is a Myth

If history has taught us anything, it’s that cultural assimilation is only a myth. That’s becuase immigrant populations must rely on their cultures and values to maintain connectivity to their identities. That’s the foundations of their existence. The so called “melting pot” of the US, for instance, eventually gave way to the concept of a salad bowl or stew pot.  That was a way of recognizing the importance of each individual piece to add to the overall flavor of society. It was an acknowledgement of cultural diversity.

Refugees in Finland

In Finland the arrival of refugees from Syria spurred on populist groups like the True Finns. Meanwhile, growing tensions in European communities threaten inclusion and co-existence. Though eager to adapt, immigrants may be forced by hostile recipient cultures to hide parts of their identity in order to “pass”, as a survival strategy. This is an increasing risk given the growth of nationalism and populism in the currently charged global environment.

Cultural Recognition within Dominant Cultural Values

Yet the path to cultural recognition or relevance continues to challenge a society which bases relevance (and acceptance or rejection) on dominant cultural values. It is also important to recognize that the dominant culture in the USA (prime example) has a strongly structured resilience to adaptation. Although, it inevitably occurs to some degree.

Nordic Intercultural Communications Conference

Steve Crawford, Senior Lecturer at JAMK University of Applied Sciences, and Elmer Dixon, President of Executive Diversity Services recently presented on this topic at the 2019 Nordic Intercultural Communication Conference. Crawford lives in Jyvaskyla Finland and works with new immigrant populations in Finland. Dixon works with clients to create inclusive environments that provide culturally relevant services to their diverse client populations.

Strategizing for a Path Forward

In their inter-active workshop the two discussed the assimilation challenges each has seen in their home countries, Finland and the US. Then they shined a light on what they see as the road forward to helping cultures learn to “live in diversity” rather than just living with it. Workshop participants then explored multiple strategies from their personal experiences on how to work to create inclusion. Case studies helped participants to discuss, explore and identify strategies to grow inclusion and cultural recognition as a path forward.