Sharing Culture

Art byĀ Nick Slater

Without culture what would our world be like? It’s hard to imagine isn’t it?. Perhaps it’s hard to imagine a world without culture because a world with culture is essential. Our cultures are all very colorful, woven into our human experiences as a fabric, and very much important to us as human beings.

ā€œCulture is a way of coping with the world by defining it in detail.ā€Ā 

Malcolm Bradbury

Culture is an important aspect of human life, and it plays a crucial role in how we shape our individual and collective identities. Culture provides us with a sense of belonging, purpose and meaning, as it embodies the values, customs, beliefs and practices that are shared within a community. Culture can also serve as a medium for expression and communication through shared experiences, and also influences our society in many ways. Our communities and ourselves as individuals are also shaped by culture, hence culture is very important.

Sharing our cultures can reward us with many benefits that can improve how we better understand others with cultural backgrounds different than our own. By sharing our cultures we inspire new ways of expression and appreciation, and we learn to accept differences in traditions and different ways of life. When cultures are shared, horizons become broader, and more understanding and less conflict is created. When we share culture, new ideas are also born, new music and arts are created, and different perspectives are also shared. Sharing cultures creates paths and opens doors for many sincere hearts to learn, study and practice traditional arts, revitalize traditional arts and keep alive ancient customs, languages and traditions.

There are different ways of understanding, and by sharing culture we learn this. Our way may look like its the only way, however we must step back sometimes and simply listen and observe other ways that are different than our own, we may even find a lot in common. We can break down racist stereotypes, and end discrimination by sharing cultural family stories, and educating people about our cultural history. We are all living on this planet together, as one family under the sky and clouds, let us live happily, colorfully and beautifully unique.

Jarrelle

Intercultural Communication

Cultural differences should not separate us from each other, but rather cultural diversity brings a collective strength that can benefit all of humanity.” Also: “Intercultural dialogue is the best guarantee of a more peaceful, just and sustainable world.

Robert Alan Aurthur

Our world is vast, our experiences, identities and ways of expression vary from individual to individual and sometimes it can be difficult for people to communicate with each other. There are verbal and non verbal ways of communication, and at times we greet others with a handshake or with a bow, depending on how and where we were raised. It can be easy to offend someone, or totally lose communication, or other opportunities all by that first greeting gesture and this is why learning about intercultural communication is important.

Interculturality refers to the interaction and exchange between different cultures with the goal of promoting mutual understanding, respect and appreciation. It recognizes the complexity of cultural diversity and the importance of creating inclusive environments that value and celebrate different cultures. Interculturality is something that goes beyond tolerance and aims at creating a space where individuals from different cultures can learn together and work together in shared goals. Now, when we speak of intercultural communication we are talking about how to communicate with others in or from different parts of the world who’s backgrounds may be greatly different than our own. Intercultural communication is about having respect for people who’s cultures are different than ours, having a curiosity about their cultures, and learning about other cultures and customs.

Ways that Intercultural communication benefit society:

  • Promoting mutual understanding and respect
  • Enhanced creativity
  • Enhanced personal and professional development
  • Stronger communication skills
  • Promotes social connectedness and shared identity among cultures
  • Breaks down barriers and unites with a common goal
  • Appreciation of differences
  • Gives us skills to handle complex issues regarding culture and communication

On our mission of creating a more equitable and just society we need to not forget how to listen. We must learn when to be silent, think, feel, process and understand before speaking, and this is especially helpful when discussing things like politics, race, identity etc. Many of our global problems are all caused by lack of understanding, lack of appreciation for each other. If we can flip the switch and learn how to communicate with each other, we would learn a lot about ourselves as well, and bring more love and peace into our world. If we can educate ourselves of different cultures, make the effort to actually learn, we would unlock more communication skills that can allow us to communicate more fluently with others as well. It would be incredibly beautiful to see a world who sees their neighbors as friends.

Jarrelle

Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intercultural_communication

Bicultural Cooking

ā€œDeep medicine, for us, is the understanding that health can no longer be viewed as something we can try to get as individuals. We have to understand that health must be attained in the context of our communities, of our families, where we are in our societies, and in relationship to the web of life.ā€

Dr. Rupa Marya, co-author of Inflamed: Deep Medicine and the Anatomy of Injustice

We all have those fond memories of cooking with mom or grandma, hearing the stories of their times, and bonding together with family. If you come from a BIPOC AAPI background these moments can be even more precious in that those very stories shared around the wok, or at the dinner table while canning veggies are often stories of survival in a very different time. Those were the stories of our grandparents fights for freedom, and there is a lot of history and treasure in that. I grew up in a southern baptist home, soul food was all we knew. My great grandmother was widowed at that time, and she remembers life living on the farm down south in Arkansas. She was a very strong and wise woman, very spiritual. She’d often go back in time and tell the stories of how she had to pick cotton, feed 11 kids and her husband and take care of a farm! I was always amazed and could envision this little tiny southern lady doing all of that, and mostly all by herself!

I was pretty much raised on soul food (southern rich and tasty food made with love) however, I did enjoy the Americanized version of sweet and sour, or the famous fried rice from take out places ( now my taste buds have refined, thank you Li Mei). I was always in the kitchen, sometimes I still am! I remember learning how to cook from my great aunt. I learned gardening, how to make southern gravy, how to fry chicken etc. Cooking became a meditation for me and it was always fun to eat the reward if it turned out ok!. Looking back on life now, and looking at my dinner table today, I can see how food has shaped my life. The bowl of jiaozi ( dumplings) remind me of my Guzheng instructors wife, I remember her saying “no green onion, always use garlic chive”, the cake reminds me of my great grandma who made the best southern yellow cakes and the stir fries remind me of my mentor who I called my Chinese mom, she was the main one I learned Chinese cooking from. Many recipes I learned on my own as well, however it’s learning with others that really stands out and becomes more meaningful.

Thoughts:

  • How has your bicultural cooking shaped your life?
  • Does cooking certain dishes have significance to you? If so, how?
  • Have you learned any dishes from your family?
  • In what ways is bicultural cooking healing for you?

There is so much treasure in Bicultural cooking which represents a rich and diverse culinary lineage that spans centuries and continents. We can learn about our cultures and the cultures of our neighbors right at the dinner table, or from cooking with mom and grandma. Today our dinner tables are becoming more global and that is a wonderful thing!

Jarrelle

Phases of The Moon

Photo Ā Wikimedia Commons

In Asian Buddhist countries that follow the lunar calendar, those certain days depending on the phases of the moon are considered to be sacred and holy days. Those days are called Uposatha Observance Days. On Uposatha days we Buddhists practice even more seriously, even more intensely. We try to eat healthier, more mindfully eating and preparing food. We try to practice meditation with more focus, and also do more spiritual reading. We practice giving, and also compassion and selflessness. These moon phase days or ( Uposatha Days) are considered to be sacred because they relate to the Buddhas life achievements which were all on full moon days. The Birth of the Buddha was on a full moon day, his renunciation also took place on a full moon. He achieved Enlightenment on a full moon day, taught his first sermon and also passed away on full moon days.

Slight is this perfume
of tagara and sandalwood,
best the perfume of the virtuous
blowing even to the devas.
The perfume of flowers does not go against
	the wind,
neither that of sandalwood, jasmine, or tagara:
but the perfume of the virtuous does go
	against the wind.
The good man suffuses all directions,
Sandalwood or tagara,
lotus or the jasmine great ā€”
of these perfumes various,
virtue's perfume is unexcelled.
Buddha

Many Buddhists practitioners visit temples or monasteries on these sacred Uposatha days. They go to practice with the monastics who are also observing Uposatha more intensely, they also go to practice in a monastic way for a day. There are so many healthy benefits of observing sacred or holy days, practicing alone is good as well as practicing with a community. Some people need their space, and others do better and can study better with a community, however you practice though it doesn’t matter so as long as you practice working on the ( Inner Work), this is what’s important. The Buddhist Uposatha days are supposed to bring us peace of mind, joy, happiness, and less stress. I have found that by observing the practices, living more mindfully and eating vegetarian foods, one can achieve a certain inner peace.

Just like in practicing an art form or a skillful craft, practicing peace and compassion also rewards us with peace. When we can take time to focus on what brings us peace, whatever healthy practices we may have, not just Buddhist practices but any practice, we can come closer to that peace we seek in our lives. Turning this practice into a lifestyle practice reminds us to take time to focus on our mental health needs, to eat healthy and to have time to just breathe and relax. Even if someone doesn’t practice the Buddhist traditions, there is still so much beneficial material that can be applied into ones daily life.

Questions to contemplate

  • what hours of the day do I feel most relaxed?
  • What healthy foods do I enjoy eating that leave me feeling healthy and full?
  • How can I create a more relaxing and peaceful environment in my home?
  • What meditation practices bring me peace?
  • How can I practice in a way that liberates me and brings me peace?

You can read more about Buddhist practice here: https://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/khantipalo/wheel206.html

To read about Uposatha Observance check out this link: https://www.budsas.org/ebud/whatbudbeliev/217.htm

May each day be peaceful!

Jarrelle

The Guzheng

Our purpose for living is to create the future.

– Author: Michael Krozer

Often times when I listen to music its usually Guzheng music. This ancient instrument has a history well over 2500 years and almost went extinct throughout its long period of transformation. This powerful instrument was once reserved for the imperial family now soothes our modern ears today with its silken sounds. The Guzheng is a zither harp like instrument with 21 strings, tuned pentatonic ( 5 notes that repeat over the 21 strings) and has moveable wooden bridges under each string. Each bridge is of a different height, shorter bridges for the thinnest strings and thicker taller bridges for the thickest strings. The Guzheng bridges are not fixed to the sound board, they can be easily moved to change key or to tune, they can be placed at different parts of the sound board for more avant- garde experimental sounds. The right side of the instrument is tuned, the left side is not tuned and its mostly used for creating those unique bending sounds or (vibrato) that we often hear and love.

Here is a picture of Guzheng legend Master Weishan Liu playing the Guzheng, notice the bridges holding the strings which allows for the musician to bend the sound which is a highlight of the instruments character.

You can check out a video of Master Weishan Liu playing the guzheng here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dx3vAvRQjF4

The beautiful and profoundly soothing sound of this instrument has been the source of inspiration for poets and scholars for over two thousand years. Below is a poem I wrote in awe of this instrument.

The guzheng is very much like a dragon over the sea, peaceful and strong, associated with the qualities of water and spirituality, this instrument has certainly brought beauty to us in the USA. I hope that people will always continually be inspired to learn this incredible instrument and its history!. I will never forget the first time I heard my teacher play High Mountain Flowing Rivers é«˜å±±ęµę°“ (Gao Shan Liu Shui) it moved me to tears. Before me sat an expert Guzheng musician from China with 50 years experience playing the guzheng, with sound he painted a scene of ancient China, with mountains and rivers, trees and forest animals all majestically one with nature. I encourage you to check out the guzheng and read about its history, quite a cool instrument!

Jarrelle

In Harmony With Oneself

ā€œIf there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in the character.
If there is beauty in the character, there will be harmony in the home.
If there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nations.
When there is order in the nations, there will peace in the world.ā€ 

Confucius

Living in harmony with oneself is a practice, it is a lifestyle and it is a spiritual journey within oneself. It is a journey within the soul and heart, a journey into the entirety of the mind. When we can sit in total silence, witnessing each thought, each breath, breath by breath, present with our hearts beat, we are on the right step to inner peace and harmony. To live in harmony with oneself means to love oneself totally, completely satisfied with oneself, having compassion with oneself including accepting what we see as flaws or imperfections. Existence does not create mistakes, instead it simply creates. We are not flawed, we are alive, living and breathing beings that are all different from each other and yet so similar in many ways.

What does “Just be” mean to you?. I think that this is something we should all ponder in depth. For me, to “Just be” means to stand tall, in total confirmation, embracing yourself as you walk compassionately against the winds of an imperfect and oftentimes harsh world. It means to have such a great strength within yourself, a strength so strong that no matter the outer storms, the inner is peaceful and calm. You have arrived within yourself, you’ve found yourself, and you love yourself. This is what “Just be” means to me, and to live this way brings us harmony within ourselves, within our relationships with others and in our environments.

Here are some helpful steps that may guide you to achieving that inner harmony

  • Focus on keeping a balanced and healthy diet, they say that we are what we eat!
  • You are human, allow yourself to learn and be imperfect. Wisdom and harmony comes from accepting our little imperfections.
  • Prioritize self-care by taking care of physical and mental health.
  • Get plenty of sunlight and fresh air in nature
  • Keep a healthy social life, friends are important but so is YOU TIME.
  • Get enough sleep each night, our brains work better with sleep!
  • Get in touch with your inner artist, creativity births happiness and peace.
  • Dont be afraid to buy that bright yellow shirt with polka dots if it calls to you, wear it and rock it! Wearing what we like builds up confidence within ourselves.
  • Set aside time out of each day to practice sitting meditation, this helps us to balance ourselves in life and within our minds.
  • Get plenty of exercise
  • Stay hydrated and lower intoxicants like alcohol, lower caffeine as well. Water is our friend!

When we can live a healthy lifestyle, keep a positive self image and make healthy lifestyle choices we begin to live in harmony. We are more peaceful, less stressed out and quick tempered and able to quickly retreat to that zen space within if life starts to get a little crazy. Challenge yourself to be the best version of yourself you can possibly be, and let your beautiful light shine color and love into this world!.

Jarrelle

Expanding Worldview

Before we get into discussing how to expand one’s worldview, let’s first take a look at what worldview means.

AĀ worldviewĀ or aĀ world-viewĀ orĀ WeltanschauungĀ is the fundamentalĀ cognitive orientation of an individual or society encompassing the whole of the individual’s or society’sĀ knowledge,Ā culture, andĀ point of view.[1]Ā A worldview can includeĀ natural philosophy; fundamental, existential, andĀ normativeĀ postulates; or themes, values, emotions, and ethics.[2]

From Wikipedia

As you can see, our worldview’s are what shape how we experience, view, live and interact in our world. Having a bicultural worldview means that you live within more than two cultures, or participate and are exposed to many cultures. In these cultural experiences we open our eyes to different practices, beliefs and customs that may be quite different from our own. Learning about these differences builds tolerance and we learn to respect and appreciate other cultural customs, beliefs and views, and it’s through this lens that we begin to expand our own views.

Our bicultural worldview is important because it shapes our world and our interaction with our world. Living a bicultural lifestyle gives us a broader sense of reality. We are also able to understand different perspectives and solve more complex issues, and in doing so bring more togetherness and harmony into our world. The bicultural worldview allows us to approach challenges mindfully, create stronger and more unbiased communication skills and to solve conflicts wisely. Narrow and prejudiced worldview’s are grounds for racism, prejudice, discrimination and poor communication skills. Having such narrow views is certainly not beneficial for a peaceful and all encompassing world.

How is having a bicultural worldview beneficial for our world?

There are many ways having a bicultural worldview can be beneficial for our world. Here are just a few

  • Having the ability to see beyond your own cultural norms
  • Appreciation and understanding of different cultures
  • Having respect
  • Having tolerance
  • The ability to combine ideas and solve complex problems
  • The ability to live in harmony with the world

You can expand your own worldview by studying a new language, learning new recipes, learning new religions, teaching your friends and family about a cultural knowledge you’ve learned and practicing mindfulness. Our world is a big with many different perspectives, many of our conflicts come from lack of understanding or lack in communication skills, so by constantly learning and improving your abilities, you are able to live peacefully and harmoniously in a world of differences and complexities.

Jarrelle

EXPRESSION

” The way you dress is an expression of your personality.”

~Alessandro Michele ~

Bruce lee

For many BIPOC/ AAPI artists, it may sometimes be challenging to express themselves in a way that is uniquely original, partly due to the fact that society has a so called “standard” way of expression. They may have an idea about what colors they like, what style of shirt and shoe’s, or what brush strokes to use on a painting, what ink with what brush etc, but still maybe they feel something might be blocked or just missing all together. This is when we must look at our world, we must look at our cultures, we must look into our dreams and the stories that our grandparents have told us. Here, in those things, are the colors and textures that can be used to paint your vision, here is the the medium for part of your expression, the other part is you, your life and your experiences. Being brought up in a multi-cultural, or bicultural home is the greatest blessing of all, never forget that. I say it’s the greatest blessing because it not only challenges our minds, but also opens our minds and gives our mind more windows of light to work with. All of these things and more can influence, and also impact our creativeness and our expression.

Ways to express yourself:

  • Writing poetry
  • Working with clay
  • Writing stories
  • Painting
  • Composing your own songs
  • Keeping a journal

When we are able to find that medium in which we can express ourselves through freely, either by painting, writing poetry or stories, or even creating our own original fashion statements, in those moments we have tapped into our potential of unique original expression. For us POC, we may also at times feel ashamed to express ourselves freely, because of how society may label us as POC, or because of the complexities of culture and religion. It can be so challenging to take the courageous step of liberating ourselves through expression, however once we are able to achieve such, all of the nets society has thrown on us will fall away.

Here is an inspiring Ted Talk video of Ethan Hawkes sharing his reflections on creativity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRS9Gek4V5Q

I encourage you to be creative, listen to your heart, respect traditional cultures of your own and others, and live each moment as colorfully possible.

Methow Arts

Buddhism and the Bicultural Lifestyle

Buddhism’s first root touched earth in India, the peaceful teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni which emphasized healthy living and harmony in community, has traveled across the globe reaching us here in the west by Zen masters such as Thich Nhat Hanh, Bishop Yemyo Imamura and spiritual leader the Dalai Lama. Many of you may have heard of these Buddhist teachers at some point. Let us have a look at Thich Nhat Hanh, Thich Nhat Hanh also called Thay or teacher, is a buddhist monk from Vietnam, global and spiritual teacher, and peace activist. Thich Nhat Hanh became friends with Martin Luther King Jr in 1966, although their friendship was cut short by the assassination of Martin Luther King in 1968, they achieved a lot in a short time. During that brief friendship the two worked together in building and promoting peace and equity, and the result of their selfless hard work has greatly shaped our society, culture, and world today in their vision. Sadly, Thay (Thich Nhat Hanh) died on Jan 22, 2022, however his message of peace, non violence and love still touches our hearts.

Check out Martin Luther Kings ” I have a dream” at: https://www.marshall.edu/onemarshallu/i-have-a-dream/

Buddhism’s Introduction to the USA

Buddhism was brought to the United States by Asian immigrants in the 19th century, during a time when many immigrants from East Asia began to arrive in the New World. Immigrants from China came around 1820, and arrived in large numbers pursuing the California Gold Rush in 1849. Buddhist congregations in North America are quite diverse. The United States is home to Sri Lankan Buddhists, Chinese Buddhists, Japanese Buddhists, Korean Buddhists, Thai Buddhists, Cambodian Buddhists, Vietnamese Buddhists and Buddhists with a family background in Buddhist countries. In 1965 the Immigration Act also increased the number of immigrants arriving from China, Vietnam and Theravada practicing countries of Southeast Asia.

Today the United States has become a melting pot of diversity. The lines of what defines American culture can sometimes seem blurry. Many ethnic communities seek spiritual healing and peace at temples, or from shamans or elders. The beauty of this practice is that also, in a way, they are keeping alive an ancient tradition that the ancestors have practiced and kept alive for use today, an ancient and global key that unlocks the potential in all of us regardless of culture or identity, and yet also gives us the strength and cultural comfort that many of us may need as BIPOC AAPI people. Immigrants who recently moved to the U.S, or even those who have been here for a while can find peaceful refuge in their spiritual communities, and this helps in eliminating acculturative stress and depression. As a black bicultural Buddhist and musician trained in Chinese classical music, I have also found refuge and peace at our local Buddhist temples.

My Journey With Buddhism

My journey with buddhism began at the age of 16. I used to play the Guzheng ( Chinese plucked musical instrument) at the Mall of America (MOA) for the Passage to China event. One time out of the year the Mall would be decked out in gold and red, Chinese lanterns hanging above the rotunda and traditional Chinese opera could be heard as one enjoyed the festivities. There were many performers, lots of traditional arts and crafts, and delicious moon cakes, then before I knew it, the MC spoke over the microphone, “Now introducing Jarrelle Barton!”. After I had finished my performance the audience cheered, and I thought to myself ” Yes!, not too many missed strings!”. Of course I ended my grand New Year performance with a big and humble bow, carefully moved my guzheng to clear the stage for the next amazing talent. As I was sitting there people would come up to ask questions about the instrument, or to say ” AMAZING PERFORMANCE”, but one person who truly stood out, and whom I will never forget was the one who said, ” I see the buddha in you”. I thought wow, I knew who the Buddha was but didnt know much about him, so what did I do?, I went home and studied all about the Buddha. Gradually the more I studied, the more I became interested in this Buddha and his teachings and began to read Sutras or buddhist scriptures. I was amazed at the level of peace the Buddha had attained and I wanted to attain that peace as well, so then I became a buddhist. Usually one becomes buddhist by going to a temple or monastery and receiving the triple gem, however at that time I wasn’t aware that there were temples, monastics and buddhist communities actually practicing, and practicing right here in Minnesota of all places. I started to become like a part of Limei’s family, who’s home was adorned with Buddha statues, scrolls and a huge altar in the living room. She would critique every error I made while writing Chinese calligraphy, speaking Chinese, or wrapping Jiaozi, Limei taught me buddhist chanting, meditation and how to give offerings at the altar. I began to learn so much more about the actual practice of Buddhism and it has helped me on my journey in becoming who I am today. Whenever I was sad or depressed I would listen to Thich Nhat Hanhs words and those words helped to lift my mood and return my mind to balance.

May the sound of this bell penetrate deep into the cosmos
Even in the darkest spots
Living beings are able to hear it clearly
So that all suffering in them cease
Understanding comes to their heart
And they transcend the path of sorrow and death.
The universal dharma door is already open
The sound of the rising tide is heard clearly
The miracle happens
A beautiful child appears in the heart of a lotus flower
One single drop of this compassionate water
Is enough to bring back the refreshing spring to our mountains and rivers.
Listening to the bell
I feel the afflictions in me begin to dissolve
My mind calm
My body relax
A smile is born on my lips
Following the sound of the bell
My breath brings me back to the safe island of mindfulness
In the garden of my heart
The flowers of peace bloom beautifully.

Thich Nhat Hanh

Bicultural Mission

There is certainly no doubt that we all want to live in a safe and peaceful world. However for this to happen we must ALL take action and put forth the effort and hard work in building a fair and culturally accepting peaceful world, peace starts with YOU. We must be able to express ourselves freely without fear, we must learn to live in harmony with our own selves first and then with others, we must also learn to accept differences. Creating for yourself a bicultural worldview is the greatest blessing you can offer to yourself and to the world. I cant help but be moved to tears each time I read and contemplate on Thich Nhat Hanhs teachings and poems, his vision is also the vision of many BIPOC AAPI people.

We BIPOC AAPI people must constantly endure the weight of white supremacy, It may be difficult for BIPOC AAPI youth to feel they ( Fit In) in school or with their peers. Sometimes they may even experience discrimination for being different as well. BIPOC AAPI people must use our differences as our strengths to fight discrimination, use our bicultural lifestyles to sever the strings of deep rooted white supremacy by educating others about our multicultural lifestyle practices, and inspire others to learn our languages and our traditional arts. Educating people is the only way to keep the wheel of peace turning.

Tu Vien Tay Phuong Temple, Savage, Minnesota

References : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_in_the_United_States

https://plumvillage.org/library/chants/the-great-bell-chant/

http://tuvientayphuong.blogspot.com/

Mental Health Resources For Black, Indigenous, And People Of Color

The challenges we face in mental health as BIPOC people are quite complex. First, our cultural identities as BIPOC people may greatly differ from each other, socially and culturally; this can add an even more difficult layer of challenge to mental health as a person of color. Secondly, lack of cultural understanding can also have a role in mental health challenges for BIPOC communities. It may seem easy to put a (one size fits all) label on mental health, however this is not how we should go about our mental health and generational healing. The questions we should be asking are; how do we as a diverse community heal together, without devaluing each other or totally disregarding another?, and how do we establish better equity in mental health specifically designed for AAPI / BIPOC individuals and our communities?.

Now, let us have a look at some in depth information on our unique mental health needs and resources. So often, when seeking help we tend to get just the basic in care, or even at times no care at all due to racial disparities and inequities in the health care system. Some of the factors contributing to lack of care may also be:

  • Lack of insurance, or underinsurance
  • Mental stigma which may be greater in AAPI / BIPOC communities
  • Lack of diversity amongst mental healthcare providers
  • Lack of providers with a diverse cultural worldview or cultural competence
  • Distrust in mental health care system
  • Inadequate support for mental health service in safety net settings

Ruth Simmons a former Brown University President, explained in a Washington Post article, individuals who are the target of racist actions ā€œmust move through the world limited by sometimes invisible or unpredictable restrictions on their movements, their behavior and their words ā€¦ Determining how to live life openly and productively in the face of such attacks on oneā€™s existence is a lifelong task.ā€

Healthforward.org

Photo Credit: NIH.GOV

It is absolutely crucial that we develop better cultural competence in mental health care, with better cultural competence in mental heath we can establish stronger and more interconnected engagement between healthcare providers and those seeking health care. Georgetown University’s National Center for Cultural Competence stated, ā€œA set of congruent behaviors, attitudes, and policies that come together in a system, agency or among professionals and enable that system, agency or those professions to work effectively in cross-cultural situations.” Therefor a more diverse health care team, health care professionals with a deeper cultural worldview, and specialized culturally diverse training is certainly needed in reducing inefficiencies in mental health care.

Shared below are links to diverse mental health resources:

https://beam.community/

https://www.therapyforlatinx.com/

https://aapaonline.org/

https://www.wernative.org/

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/

This is a great article on Cultural Respect by the National Institutes of Health; https://www.nih.gov/institutes-nih/nih-office-director/office-communications-public-liaison/clear-communication/cultural-respect

References : https://www.psychiatry.org/File%20Library/Psychiatrists/Cultural-Competency/Mental-Health-Disparities/Mental-Health-Facts-for-Diverse-Populations.pdf