LIBS1850 - Cultural Relativism and Sensitivity in Canadian Context

This essay discusses the importance of cultural relativism and cultural sensitivity in bridging cultural gaps between different communities in Canada, particularly focusing on the LunarFest event. The essay highlights how LunarFest aims to address misconceptions and promote understanding between Chinese, Taiwanese, and Canadian Indigenous communities by showcasing their shared histories and cultural values. It emphasizes the role of cultural sensitivity in fostering better relationships and reducing cultural barriers, while also acknowledging the negative perceptions that exist. The author evaluates the article's success in promoting cultural engagement and changing perspectives towards indigenous cultures, suggesting that such initiatives can lead to increased community involvement and a more inclusive society. Desklib provides access to similar essays and study resources for students.

Running head: SOCIOLOGY
SOCIOLOGY
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author note

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Table of contents
Brief idea of the article................................................................................................................................2
Importance of cultural relativism and cultural sensitivity............................................................................2
Evaluation of the article...............................................................................................................................3
Reference list and bibliography...................................................................................................................5

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Brief idea of the article
The contemporary art and cultural festival in New Year is being considered as one of the
popular festival held in Canada that helps to bring the cultural unity between the three countries.
The initiative of this event is to disclose the colonization and Canadian history to the other
countries. Aim of this event is to celebrate the Asian tradition for sharing the cultural values.
Through the event, Charlie Wu aims to cultural bridge between different cultural groups of
people so that the individuals can cheer their culture with the world (Vikander, 2019). Aim of
this article is to shed light on the histories of indigenous people in china and Canada. The
historical bond between the aboriginals and Chinese people has been disclosed through this
article. In this article, the author has tried to reach back the community for understanding the
actual connection between the Asian and Canadian communities. It cannot be denied that the
position of Taiwan and Canadian people in Canada is a controversial issue. Various
misconceptions regarding the mistreatment of indigenous people in Canada, among the
Taiwanese and Chinese people have created many cultural barriers. Through this article, the
author has focused on identifying the origins of indigenous people and their cultural interrelation
with the Asian origins (Vikander, 2019). Therefore, highlighting the significant contribution of
indigenous community in can of developing the Asian cultural tradition, the LunarFest has
brought significant impact on developing cultural bride between three countries (Vikander,
2019).
Importance of cultural relativism and cultural sensitivity
The term cultural relativism indicates the idea and values, which can be developed
depending on the culture of individuals (Park, 2018). In case of cultural relativism, people are
not being judged depending on the cultural criteria set by others. On the other hand, the term

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cultural sensitivity is the important skills of individuals that helps to understand people the
different characteristics and cultural priorities of others (Vucetich et al., 2018). The cultural
sensitivity skill of individuals can play a significant role for driving service quality towards own
community. Depending on the cultural sensitivity, individuals can be effectively function in
others culture by respecting the values of individuals. It is also very effective for reducing the
cultural barriers (Pooley and Redpath, 2018). Analyzing both the concept it can be assumed that
cultural sensitivity can play an effective role for developing the cultural bond between three
countries. with this initiative the misunderstanding of Chinese and Taiwan people regarding the
Canadian indigenous community can be reduced, by continuing this it is true that in order to
increase the acceptance of cultural diversity as well as understanding the core values of different
cultural group, effective application cultural relativism can increase the acceptance of each
culture. Analyzing the article it has been identified through the LunarFest, the core cultural
identities and their interrelations have been tried to identify by the author. In case of developing
the cultural bridge between the Chinese, Taiwan and Canadian indigenous community, cultural
sensitivity skill can be appreciated by the people.
Evaluation of the article
Examining the entire article it can be said that the author has shed light on the
misconception between the Chinese and Taiwan people about the indigenous cultural priority
and history of Canadian people, which has tried to shed the strong cultural deviation between the
these three countries. By highlighting the importance of LunarFest, the author has tried to shed
light on the importance of cultural sensitivity for driving the cultural engagement of these
communities. On the other hand, the article has portrayed the strong cultural connection between
these three communities and the importance of developing cultural bridge for highlighting the

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importance of indigenous people for developing cultural history of Canada. As per my
understanding by highlighting the important contribution of indigenous people in the case of
developing the Canadian history, the author has focused on reducing the cultural barriers. I
believe, through this article, the author has tried to change the perspective of people towards the
culture of indigenous society so that they will get proper chance to increase their engagement in
the community development. I can also say although the article has tried to focus on the positive
impact of LunarFest in reducing the cultural barriers, however, it has also shown the negative
perspectives of others countries about the indigenous community.

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Reference list and bibliography
Kwak, Y., Kwon, J., Yun, K., Jeong, J., & Huettel, S. (2018). Money for us versus money for
them: cross-cultural differences in sensitivity to rewards for ingroup and
outgroup. Culture and Brain, 6(1), 36-52.
Park, K. (2018). Interpreting Non-Amish Perceptions of the Old Order Amish Using Cultural
Relativism and Human Rights Frameworks.
Singelis, T. M., Garcia, R. I., Barker, J. C., & Davis, R. E. (2018). An Experimental Test of the
Two-Dimensional Theory of Cultural Sensitivity in Health Communication. Journal of
health communication, 23(4), 321-328.
Vikander, T. (2019) Retrieved 10th Feb, 2019, from
https://www.thestar.com/vancouver/2019/02/04/lunarfest-connects-asian-canadians-to-
indigenous-community.html
Vucetich, J. A., Burnham, D., Macdonald, E. A., Bruskotter, J. T., Marchini, S., Zimmermann,
A., & Macdonald, D. W. (2018). Authority, cultural relativism and the principles of just
conservation: Rejoinder to Pooley and Redpath (2018). Biological Conservation, 223,
184-185.