Cultural diversity is among the issues that the US touts as a key strength. It is indeed true that as it hosts an increasingly culturally diverse, the US enhances its power and global dominance. However, it should be noted that the cultural diversity has also given rise to serious dilemmas, challenges and clashes. The nation seems unable to reconcile the different beliefs and practices of the dozens of cultures in the country to create a harmonious society where all cultures are accepted and respected. There are a number of diversity situations and cultural dilemmas that underscore the desperate need for debate and interventions. Among these are differing views on blood transfusion, the practice of female genital mutilation, and affirmative action.
Blood Transfusion
Blood transfusion is a common procedure that is credited with allowing healthcare professionals to preserve human life. Despite the critical role that it plays in human health, this procedure has sparked intense debate. Petrini (2014) is among the scholars who have examined the cultural and diversity dynamics of blood transfusion. In his text, he observes that in such religions as Jehovah’s Witnesses, blood transfusion is strictly forbidden. The members of this faith often refuse to receive blood from others. This creates an ethical debate. On the one hand, medical practitioners have a responsibility to take all necessary steps to safeguard human life. Administering blood transfusion is one of these steps. On the other hand, religious adherents cite their right to practice their faith freely as they refuse to participate in blood transfusions. In addition to raising questions about medical and religious ethics, the issue of blood transfusion also inspires debate on diversity. The American people are prompted to reflect on whether to tolerate beliefs and practices that pose a serious threat to human health. Even within the Jehovah’s Witness community, there is no consensus regarding the acceptability of blood transfusion. This fact underscores the controversial nature of this issue and highlights the need for constructive debate on the approach that the nation should adopt. Without a clear solution, medical practitioners will continue to encounter hardships as they attempt to make decisions on whether to administer a life-saving procedure on an individual whose beliefs are inconsistent with the procedure.
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Female Genital Mutilation
Female genital mutilation is yet another issue that has caused a cultural dilemma and highlighted the challenges that the US faces as it seeks to bolster diversity and harmony. The US has joined other countries in enacting laws that ban the practice of FGM. However, as Krupa and Hayes (2017) caution in their article, in the recent past, the US has witnessed a spike in cases of FGM. It is important to recognize that FGM is not just a legal issue; it is a cultural one as well. In communities where this practice is still observed, it carries tremendous cultural significance. For example, Krupa and Hayes report that in certain cultures, FGM is used to prepare girls for marriage. To understand why FGM is a cultural and diversity issue, it is helpful to consider an example. Suppose that an Ethiopian mother has moved her daughter to the US. In Ethiopia, some communities sanction and practice FGM. While in the US, the mother attempts to have her daughter undergo the procedure. To defend her action, the mother could cite her cultural heritage and beliefs. She is likely to face strong opposition from the American justice system which maintains that FGM is an unlawful practice. Furthermore, the majority of the American people are also likely to respond with anger and disgust. Therefore, the question of FGM sits at the intersection of various cultures which clash on the issue of women rights and the need to preserve cultural practices and beliefs like FGM.
Affirmative Action
The use of affirmative action in employment and education is another issue that highlights cultural dilemmas and the problem with diversity. Essentially, affirmative action refers to the policies that schools and employers adopt as part of their efforts to increase the representation of minorities and other disadvantaged groups (“Affirmative Action”, 2014). For example, across the US, colleges and universities have lowered the admission qualifications for racial minorities such as African Americans. While its purpose is indeed noble, affirmative action has elicited intense debate in the US. On the one hand, the supporters of this policy believe that it is necessary to address historical injustices and to empower the marginalized and minorities (Wallace & Allen, 2016). These individuals are convinced that affirmative action is needed to allow minorities to access opportunities that they would otherwise be unable to obtain. On the other hand are opponents of affirmative action who find it to be deeply unfair. For example, thousands of white students have been denied admission into colleges despite possessing the required qualifications. Their spots have been issued to minority students with lower qualifications. Affirmative action has prompted the US to reflect on how to balance the pursuit of diversity with the need to safeguard the interests and welfare of all, particularly the majority who have borne the brunt of the damaging impacts of affirmative action.
In conclusion, the US remains home to dozens of different cultural groups. As a result of its cultural diversity, the nation has managed to cement its leadership and dominant position on the global geopolitical stage. However, there are various issues that threaten this position if they are not adequately and promptly addressed. The practice of FGM, blood transfusion and affirmative action are some of these issues. These matters have caused deep divisions as different cultures have adopted varying and in some cases, conflicting perspectives. If the US is to achieve harmony and protect its diversity, it needs to encourage discussion and debate on these and other issues which are controversial and divisive.
References
Affirmative action. (2014). National Conference of State Legislatures. Retrieved March 3, 2019 from http://www.ncsl.org/research/education/affirmative-action-overview.aspx
Krupa, M., & Hayes, I. (2017). The alarming rise of female genital mutilation in America. CNN. Retrieved March 3, 2019 from https://edition.cnn.com/2017/05/11/health/female-genital-mutilation-fgm-explainer-trnd/index.html
Petrini, C. (2014). Ethical and legal aspects of refusal of blood transfusions by Jehovah’s Witnesses, with particular reference to Italy. Blood Transfusion, 12 (suppl 1), s395-s401.
Wallace, S. L., & Allen, M. D. (2016). Affirmative action debates in American government introductory textbooks. Journal of Black Studies, 47 (7), 659-81.
