Don’t just tolerate, but RESPECT OTHER CULTURES!

Cultural differences can be perceived in all societies in this ever-globalizing world. This can affect how individuals go about their work and leisure, either positively or negatively. So how does one deal with foreign cultures ? 

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What is Integration? 

Is it the coexistence of two or more cultures? Or is it the overlapping of two or more cultures? 

Does Integration lead to Assimilation? 

That one culture overpowers the other(s) and dominates the community? 

I do not fathom these questions, as they are, again, relative to the different faces of  a society; variating from country to country and from group to group. Yet I do address these puzzles as you and I and all people around the world are not only affected by, but also shaping and defining “Integration”. 

Writing this, I just want to share with you how I differentiate the terms Integration and Assimilation; why they are never the same thing and how you can integrate people! 

As shown in the visual above, as long as the two short lines symbolizing two cultures are on the same level, intersecting or not, then you can call it Integration. Once one culture overpowers, it is Assimilation.

That dominating culture, lifted to top the other products of humankind through fate or careful planning or the will of the people or a powerful man’s abuse of his power, is not necessarily better than the others. I think that’s pretty clear. No culture is better than the other. 

What is also pretty clear is that Integration has to be pursued by both, if not all parties. It’s not just the government’s responsibility to try and “integrate” the migrants. It’s first and foremost the migrants who have to try and find a place for themselves. Then, it’s the neighbors who should put in some effort. But the neighbors would naturally want to get close to the newcomers if the newcomers showed basic genuineness and a smile. 

Do not underestimate the power of friendliness. Being friendly does more than open the door, it lets others in. 

It creates a rather cordial and convenient atmosphere to share one’s culture. And thus a chance to defy and redefine the stereotypes and associations about their culture that may feel like barriers to either side.

However, different cultures don’t always get along. With culture come values and norms, virtues and vices, that point out foreign behavior and thus strike attention. 

Let me give you two simple examples: 

Head-coverage and homosexuality. 

While one may be culturally accepted, the other is frowned upon. 

How can we then reach common ground? A common ground, where different cultures don’t just coexist or inaudibly overlap or throw the other off by force? A common ground, where different cultures are not just tolerated but RESPECTED? 

For respect is the highest yet humblest basis of any relationship. 

Tolerance, although highly regarded and with a mass of enthusiasts worldwide, has this air of only letting the other subsist out of mercy, out of being in a higher, elite position and only tolerating out of goodwill. And that’s the problem. Not all who are in a higher position have goodwill and tolerance for the less fortunate, the minorities, the underdogs. They feel better, more worthy, rightfully so... . 

For respect is the highest yet humblest basis of any relationship. 

Respect is based on equality and on acknowledgment. Where tolerance fails to bridge a relationship, respect fortifies the ties and connects one with the other. But Respect has to come from all parties; can never be one-sided. 

To ensure respect, find or frame a common ground which will be respected by all parties. That can for example be the national constitution or the school rules or the community guidelines. It can also be the bible or the Quran. It can be anything as long as it is:

• clear and straightforward 
• acknowledged
• binding
• referenceable and accessible 

for all parties. 

By finding this common ground that all sides respect, you can start dealing with the person or the people in front of you. You can start talking. 

But never before that. For example:

Going up to an atheist and talking to them based on the teachings of your religion doesn’t really make sense, does it? 

Going up to a new migrant and dictating them the laws of your country doesn’t make sense either, doesn’t it? 

In the first case you’d have to find a worldly common ground and in the second you’d rather teach them about the neighborhood guidelines. Something both parties find clear. Something both parties acknowledge. Something binding for both parties. Something referenceable and accessible for both parties. 

Points to take with you: 

1-  Integration is the coexistence and overlapping of cultures and people. 

2- Assimilation is when one culture dismantles the other. 

3- Integration efforts have to come from all people. 

4- Every individual defies and redefines the common perception about their makeup such as their homeland, traditions, gender etc. 

5- The goal is not to tolerate but to respect all cultures and people. 

6- Find a common ground all involved parties agree on and then start talking, sharing, educating and learning. 

Watch it here: https://youtu.be/Zmr9ON4Q86w