Synopsis: Cultures and Traditions – Book 1

Introduction: Level Set

As with each book in the series, the introduction should contain clear definitions that differentiate bias and prejudice as well as the Tree of Prejudice Illustration. The remaining parts of the introduction will contain the highlights of each chapter and how, together, these chapters can help the reader recognize their own levels of prejudice, potentially see the harm it is causing them and others, and provide paths for reconciliation for them and future generations.

There is an inherent beauty and nostalgia in our cultures and traditions. Though, more importantly, these are the fruits of our childhoods and are a treasure we usually do not forget or abandon.

Chapter 1: Past, Present, and Future 

Describe how various cultures and traditions were practiced in the past. Were they respected by other cultures and traditions? If not, what were the causes of conflict? If so, what were the reasons and how did those cultures and traditions begin to assimilate?

Describe current practices in various countries, both with harmony and conflict.

There are several things that should be said about the migration of people from their culture into a majority culture. While discussing this with some people and based on my own experiences, it is generally thought by the incumbent culture that the migratory culture should assimilate into their culture, and when they don’t, many in the incumbent culture become annoyed. Discuss through examples what occurs when cultures and traditions are forced upon people.

Chapter 2: Values and Pride

Describe the real value in these practices and the importance within their communities. There are many examples that can be brought out in this chapter that will help create awareness in those that have fallen away from their cultures and traditions, have never been a part of them, or just don’t think there is any value to them.

In addition to its intrinsic value, culture provides important social and economic benefits. With improved learning and health, increased tolerance, and opportunities to come together with others, culture enhances our quality of life and increases overall well-being for both individuals and communities.

Chapter 3: Ego and Dangers

Of course, there are dangers. Some examples include harmful cultural practices, such as child marriages and female genital mutilation (FGM). These are discriminatory practices committed regularly over long periods of time that communities and societies begin to consider them as .

Culture shapes the way individuals experience childhood and how they raise their children. Behaviors that are considered abusive in one culture, such as corporal punishment or harsh verbal discipline, may be considered acceptable in another. “Honor killings” and their issues.

While traditions might be nice in a family setting, they can be disastrous in the business world. If you think about it, the whole idea of a tradition causes us to turn off our brains. We’re taught to just blindly follow the past, so we don’t have to do the hard work of critical thinking in the present.

It is crucial to discuss honor killings inside and outside the US. We must differentiate culture, religion, and ego to be able to speculate on the real drivers behind problematic behavior.

Chapter 4: Implicit and Explicit Costs

Describe how economics are affected by culture and tradition. Use metrics or illustrations to emphasize the extent of implicit and explicit damage.…

Chapter 5: What Is My Contribution?

This chapter will include a quiz for the reader, and its purpose is twofold:

• Provide the reader with an assessment of their degree of prejudice so that, if they choose to address their issues, we will provide some mitigation tools in a later chapter.

• Potentially use the reader’s input as part of our future efforts to gather, integrate, and assimilate similar metrics for the purpose of designing and creating complementary or stop gap curriculums for our educational systems. So, optionally, we may encourage the reader to go to our website at prejudiceunfolded.org to take the quiz. In doing so, the reader’s information remains anonymous while we can capture the information for survey and educational purposes.

Chapter 6: Mitigation, Compassion, Respect, Tolerance, and Patience

For me personally, I view cultures and traditions as an ingredient to living. As they and I change, their meanings and my level of excitement changes as well. So, in general, I believe cultures are healthy, but I also recognize that I and others do not enjoy all cultures equally. For example, as an American, I enjoy celebrating Thanksgiving, occasionally watching football (American) with family or friends, and attending other cultures’ events domestically and internationally. We each have a different story about the cultures and traditions we do and do not enjoy. Give examples, then highlight the dangers of becoming annoyed and discuss how and why these annoyances may have occurred. What are the tools we need to sharpen in our efforts to be open-minded or tolerant of other cultures and traditions?

Also, include how to recognize conversations headed for destruction, demonstrate what can be done to turn them into something positive, and have all parties leave the discussion with a better understanding, respect, and tolerance for each other’s thoughts and opinions, especially when contrasting. Final thoughts about these discussions could include a focus on identifying what practices may be viewed as harmful to future generations, showing why and how some of these practices have proven themselves to be harmful both within and outside of their environments.

Chapter 7: Open Discussion

The intentions of this chapter are to provide a forum for conducting and facilitating discussion, and this can become a serious threat to harmony. However, when we get to mitigation strategies, many tools can be offered.

Chapter 8: Survey and Feedback

We may want to encourage the reader to reference our website’s survey and/or provide us with some feedback so we can use it going forward to help educate and provide tools to our youth.