I think things that are ‘thinner’ are great, and might even lead to an interest in or opportunity for deeper connections. Particularly because sometimes the opposite of trying to learn about other cultures, even if it’s via food, art, etc. is a more insular view of life–looking only at one’s own customs. I’m a firm believer, too, in creating opportunities to be “the other,” to purposely put yourself into the situation of being ‘the only one’ in a situation. While I am looking at this from the perspective of being Caucasian, I think there’s value for others as well (e.g. if someone who is African American is sometimes “only one” among cauciasians, there’s value in immersian in Indian, Japanese, etc.

So I stand by the idea of what I’ve heard to as Cultural Tourism, although I hope people will stick with evolution from appreciation to curiosity to empathy–as in once one learns a little about another culture, can you stick with it and deepen the experience.

The reason I use phrase “stand by” is almost I realize a little defensive, but I have heard criticism from people of color regarding people from the majority culture thinking that this ‘dabbling into culture’ is multicultural (I think of Carmen at Racialicious and her call that “enough of the celebrating!” or another colleague who is African American, who pointed out that while I might be learning and enjoying the ‘fun’ parts of culture, someone from that culture may have more urgent needs/inequities/issues, etc. that really need to be addressed now. They don’t necessarily want to wait as I go through the long process of learning.

Wooh–long answer, but I think you’ve got to start somewhere.

And, in some ways, it’s like if you buy a Toyota, suddenly you notice everyone has Toyota’s, you see it in the news more often, you notice it more, because you are engaged.

Even since randomly picking Guinea/New Guinea as ‘my culture’ to learn about, I’m much more connected and listening and trying to figure out what to do about the awful rapes and attacks of women in Guinea on 9/28. (Heard Guinea on the news, and immediately turned it up) I opened a door, and now I feel connected and want to go deeper.

(I haven’t re-read this, and I’m rushing right now, but I hope it makes sense!)
Deanna

What do you think of deep involvement in one or two cultures (like you get with #1 & 4) vs. more of a scatter-shot approach (like from #2 & 3)? Is a thinner reading necessarily superficial?

But I think the line “you must be open to acknowledging what you don’t know,” is critically important. That old saying “a little knowledge is a dangerous thing” is very true. I found that a few years into it, my sense of confidence grew a bit too large and became limiting. Reminding myself that I’m only partway down the path with a ways to go still, acknowledging what I don’t know, is really helpful and keeps me on my toes, always ready to absorb more.