Promoting Cultural Awareness Programs

Cultural awareness programs, broadcasts on radio, and late night talk shows in homogeneous and heterogeneous communities can prevent misconceptions of different ethnicities that make up our country. Perhaps the programs would take place frequently at reasonable times; especially late night talk shows that most tend to watch. A lot of civilians who are sheltered in homogenous communities might base their ideas off of stereotypes, resulting in unpreparedness in the world.

In Article 27 of the United Nations Preamble it states “Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.” Any civilians are able to express themselves without the need to be chastised in anything that they do. By participating towards creating these broadcasts there’s more of a chance that people would break off habits of stereotypes. For instance, not all Mexicans eat tacos and hop the border; not all Italians have brown hair and olive skin; not all Caucasians are racist; as well as Miss America winner Nina Davuluri is Indian not a commonly associated Arab terrorist. 

The United Nations basically set the path for Kamau Bell, a socio-political, community activist who runs a show called Totally Biased. He contributes to the art, and participates in cultural life of his community. His show is “surreptitiously revolutionary in its effortless diversity and humanism,” according to a view posted on his website. People feel encouraged to watch the talk show because he not only voices the issues of race; sex, politics, class, and culture play a major role as well. He may be a comedic but it’s why people look out for him to observe, learn from his work.  Even the San Francisco Chronicle, comments his “quick comic skewers racism, stereotypes...” With a sense of humor people would enjoy, not feel emotional or targeted, and wouldn’t be bland. The un-culturally aware lack just enough to set them back to the rest of the world.

Even I have dealt with situations resulting in the need of cultural programs. Having extensions or weave was the motto for being African American. Why? Because society basically interpreted that stereotype and continued saying it. One might argue living in a community that won’t correct the issue, or continuing to spread the phrase would only make it worse.

I feel like bringing up cultural awareness is looked on as idiotic, especially in 2013. Well, Alan M. Dershowitz, who wrote a Toulmin Analysis on two very extreme speakers, had said “Paulin’s and Baraka’s poetry purpose to be ‘art’ but the ‘N-word’ and other equally offensive expressions can also be dressed up as art.” Dressing up ignorance is something ridiculous. You can say it, but it will only promote it more than what it already is. He goes on to say “offensiveness is often in the eyes and experiences of the beholder,” like me. I have been teased because I was different in terms of appearance. Parents of the youth did not to teach their children what was the right and wrong things to ask; simply because they’ve never been in a situation that’s needed teaching. I do agree with his logic. This is why having these programs would help our country. If we can stay “out of the business” of picking amongst the many degrees of offence and discriminatory speech by broadening talk shows to eliminate all of the crap then it should happen.

The purpose is not to have freedom of speech be limited or regulated; it’s to have these comedic talk shows, these fun radio shows, or segments, the programs that promote freedom of speech the right way. It is possible shows like Totally Biased are watched widely around the country. It may take some work, but strong advertisement would be able to promote the shows in order to break off the nasty stereotypes that continue to be circulated in our communities.