The Diversity & Inclusion Blog. We post about diversity events, programs and initiatives as well as diversity committee and employee engagement group work as well. If you would like to see your program or event highlighted here Email: dio@umassmed.edu
Do we view culture as a fluid concept, or are there rigid cultural norms deeply instilled within our societies? In the same way that religion seems strict and unyielding, culture can also seem like a concrete system of fixed meanings and symbols.[1] However, both culture and religion are endlessly shifting as people often change their outlooks due to certain political or social contexts. The word culture has origins from the word to “cultivate” or to grow, or care for. Thus to have a culture, to be cultural, is to adapt or grow into the customs of an acquired space.
Cultural sensitivity is increasingly important. However, to truly gain a better understanding of culture, we need to understand the role that religion plays in shaping culture, and vice versa. Both culture and religion are highly influenced by one another, and often cannot be fully separated.
