We are surrounded by various people with their own values, ideas, and language. However, we tend to shun ourselves away from the unfamiliar, in this case, those we cannot communicate with. Naturally if we can't seem to understand another person, don't agree, or practice what they do we find people who we do have similarities with. As we are a multicultural nation, priding this country on its diversity, we still stick to our own sub-cultures within the larger culture.

In order for people to communicate effectively, there must be steps to take so that we can assure another individual or group doesn't become ostracized. In order to begin this process we need to develop a better strategic flexibility (Hybels, S. 6). There are many factors that go into a multi-culture adapting to each other, but we cannot allow full ignorance and laziness to take over. In the article The multicultural cult, German chancellor Angela Merkel has said "multiculturalism has utterly failed." She goes on to give examples of why it has done so, including taking one group of poverty stricken people and placing them in an area of middle class, thinking they would strive or be better off there. The government didn't realize that without some form of adaptation, this wouldn't and hasn't worked. Instead the people who were placed there didn't know how to adapt to the in place cultural system. This lack of cohesiveness and confusion has only lead to unsuccessful complications, "in countries around the world, and over the centuries, peoples with jarring differences in language, culture, and values have been a major problem and, too often, sources of major disasters for the societies in which they co-exist" (Anonymous).

These co-cultures didn't blend well because they didn't have help to push them towards intercultural communication. It would be remarkable if these completely different groups found a common ground without any help. This isn't to say that we must bend our own beliefs in order for another group to feel welcome or vice versa, rather, it is so we can co-exist with minimal problems. Isn't that what communication is, being able to understand and share with one another? In doing so, those potential problems decrease since we know the reasoning for someone else behavior, choices, and language. We need to do this out of respect for one another. Because of the ignorance there is still stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination.

The reason why the poor people and the middle-class group failed to live together was because of lack of listening. One of the biggest issues in communication is just that. We get defensive when we feel threatened or unsure. From a couple quarreling to a city-full of people, we let our egos get the best of us and shut down when we are tracking on unfamiliar territory.

By learning how to use communication properly, in every aspect of our lives, we will not only save a lot of irritation but help others who feel intimidated themselves. We are all guilty of letting someone else's cultural barrier get the best of us. I remember working at a hotel where there was a housekeeper, very nice older lady who had worked there as long as I did, 3 years. While normally we were kind to each other, her not speaking English and me not speaking Spanish, I kept a Spanish/English dictionary so that it would be easier. One day I went on a rant about people coming here from another county, who have lived here long enough, needing to adapt to this society, and it was her just being lazy and not caring to understand us. In retrospect I should have looked at her side also. Living here, not attaching herself to the community because she was different, finding it hard to fit in, let alone communicate. I feel guilty every time I think of that day because I know I should have handled it better, and had empathy for her being in a place so foreign. I would hope someone else would help me if I were in a strange environment.

References

Anonymous. (2010). The multicultural cult. Chattanooga Times Free Press (pg B.7). Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Hybels, S. & and Weaver, R.L., (2007). Communicating effectively (8th Ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.