What are the benefits of celebrating other culture and heritages? Believe it or not we all have an internal need to be recognized and celebrated and it’s important to know that a celebration of one does not mean you can’t celebrate others. Robert Alan, an American writer, artist and social activist explains it best when he says, “Cultural differences should not separate us from each other, but rather cultural diversity brings a collective strength that can benefit all of humanity.”
So, what are the benefits of celebrating and recognizing other cultures and heritages? There are many reasons why you should celebrate others. Celebrating others helps you to understand the traditions, ideas, and beliefs of a group in society. Through understanding we gain appreciation of their history, struggles, successes, and contributions.
Most importantly, teaching kids to celebrate others causes them to learn we all are connected to each other. It’s important in forming bonds and learning to value others. It also teaches understanding of customs and practices that may be symbolic for a particular group. Ultimately, knowing these things allows everyone to be able to feel confident in their interactions with diverse people and learn cultural sensitivity which may benefit future interactions.
Dr. Charlotte Pullins, EdD
Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Arizona Charter Academy
