Questions re: VISIONS. Inc. & Multiculturalism?

Just what does multiculturalism mean?

VISIONS defines multiculturalism as a process of change by which we learn to recognize, understand and appreciate our own cultural identities, as well as the similarities and differences of people from other cultural groups. Those characteristics can include: race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, economic class, job status, religion, physical abilities, and veteran status.

What’s in it for me and my organization?

Multicultural training provides all of us with a positive opportunity to explore the impact of culture, race, gender, and other social conditions on ourselves, our co-workers and our work environments.

Many of us have been taught to “not notice” differences and not to confront discriminatory attitudes and behaviors. Unfortunately, avoiding conflict and acting as if discrimination isn’t really happening only buries the negative impact of oppression while it exacts exorbitant hidden costs in financial and organizational resources.

Why all this attention to differences?

If we would just focus on our similarities, wouldn’t we all get along much better?

Without a doubt, discovering and building upon our similarities builds effective interpersonal relationships. At the same time, being able to acknowledge and understand our differences helps make them less threatening and transforms them into positive assets that enhance team work.

Ignoring differences can reinforce a subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) message that can have a consequence beyond what we might intend, particularly as we consider the impact of the historical legacy of oppression and discrimination on all of us.

For people who are different, or perceived to be different, this pressure is often counterproductive to optimal performance and productivity.

Focusing only on our similarities, or ability to assimilate to U.S. majority cultural norms, is defined as monoculturalism and often has translated into a stance that one way, or group, is superior to others.

Multiculturalism helps to break through the barriers created by this way of thinking.

We’re not sure we want to focus so much on training and “touchy-feely”activities. Can’t you help us develop strategies for recruiting minorities?

Repeatedly, our experience and the results of numerous research studies indicate that recruitment strategies alone--even when successful--do not have a corresponding impact on retention and consistent career advancement for people of color and all women.

Likewise, using only cognitive approaches to change rarely has a far-reaching and long-term, positive impact in terms of multicultural change.

VISIONS’ approach to educating people about the impact of monoculturalism on their lives involves a combination of cognitive (thinking), affective (feeling) and behavioral (doing) techniques. When designed to address particular client needs and situations, most people respond enthusiastically to the utilization of experiential activities. Ultimately, a combination of techniques is required in order to create an environment which maximizes the investment made for successful recruitment initiatives.

How can I get my company organization to support this kind of work, especially during tough financial times?

Increasingly, both research and “bottom line” information indicate that attending to diversity issues is an extremely cost-effective investment--in terms of human and financial resources and achieving organizational goals.

Many organizations have found it most successful to convene a working task force or “diversity or multicultural committee” to help plan a strategy for ongoing multicultural work. Other successful strategies for establishing a diversity initiative include:

1. Organizing a public forum focusing on the positive aspects of diversity work;
2. Collecting and distributing articles and other forms of documentation which clearly illustrate the benefits of multiculturalism; and
3. Conducting focus groups for people to express their concerns and vision for creating an effective multicultural environment.
4. Regardless of the strategy you ultimately decide upon, most people find it very helpful to develop an overview of the forces/factors which are influencing organizations to engage in diversity work, as well as the tangible benefits of multicultural change.
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Don’t we run the risk of opening up a proverbial “can of worms”?

VISIONS understands people’s apprehensions about addressing issues of racial, gender and cultural diversity in a direct, forthright manner.

 Most of us have a history of negative experiences in terms of talking about the dynamics of oppression. However, like any unattended sore or “disease,” direct attention to the wounds and the root causes of our problems is the key to healing and future prevention.

 The same is certainly true for dealing with discrimination and social justice for both target and non-target groups of people. Besides, worms are one of the best known fertilizers for gardening.

What makes the VISIONS training model unique?

VISIONS is proud to have earned a reputation for providing services which are insightful, compassionate and affirming of each person’s individual stories and struggles. We are equally as sensitive to group dynamics as we are to an organization’s concern for the “bottom line.”

 Some of the characteristics which make VISIONS so successful are:  

Our methods for creating a non-judgmental atmosphere which allows for challenges and accountability without accusations and blame.	Our attention to the experiences of both target and non-target groups, in terms of contemporary forms of discrimination and internalized oppression.
Our combination of training techniques which focus on: cognitive, affective and behavioral changes; developing a contemporary and historical context for understanding diversity issues; and learning effective cross-cultural communication skills.	Our emphasis on providing ongoing support and technical assistance to clients as they implement their strategies for change; and
Our racially and culturally diverse group of training consultants who come from a variety of professional, educational and community work experiences, and whose expertise spans abroad range of human resources and organizational development issues.	our using a world view analysis to understanding and begin healing the wounds born of oppression and internalized oppression.

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Copyright © 1996 VISIONS, INC
Last modified: January 30, 2005