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Cultural Heritage
Multi-ethnic
Diverse

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Dıscrimination
Multicultural
Cosmopolitan
Intertwined
Multifaced

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Ethnicity
Ancestors
Race
Origin

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Why does race matter so profoundly for health? David R. Williams developed a scale to measure the impact of discrimination on well-being, going beyond traditional measures like income and education to reveal how factors like implicit bias, residential segregation and negative stereotypes create and sustain inequality. In this eye-opening talk, Williams presents evidence for how racism is producing a rigged system -- and offers hopeful examples of programs across the US that are working to dismantle discrimination.

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Harmony Day on 21 March is a celebration of cultural diversity and a call to action to push back against racism, wherever it occurs.

"Today marks the 51st anniversary of the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination," said Race Discrimination Commissioner Tim Soutphommasane.

The UN established the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination to commemorate the events of 21 March 1960, when police opened fire on a peaceful anti-apartheid demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, killing 69 people.

"Unfortunately, racism is not confined to history. Nor is it confined to somewhere else. The majority of Australians welcome multiculturalism and reject racism, but there's still work to do to counter racism wherever it occurs," Dr Soutphommasane said.

Dr Soutphommasane welcomed the Federal Government's statement on multiculturalism, released on 20 March.

He said the Government statement, Multicultural Australia: United, Strong, Successful, affirms the strength and success of Australia's multiculturalism

"It is valuable to have an official statement about the meaning of multicultural Australia.

"While there is strong acceptance of multiculturalism, there is always a need to ensure that we maintain our social cohesion and harmony.

"Our debates about culture, identity and immigration must never undermine our national unity.

"Our society must continue to combat racism and intolerance. Laws such as the Racial Discrimination Act are essential to setting a standard on what is acceptable public conduct in Australia," Dr Soutphommasane said.

The Australian Human Rights Commission developed Racism. It Stops With Me to encourage all Australians to reflect on what they can do to counter racism. The campaign includes tips on how to speak up against racism, along with videos and factsheets specifically designed for youth.

The Commission has also developed resources for teachers in early childhood settings to address racial prejudice and encourage respect and inclusion.

' Building Belonging ' is a comprehensive toolkit of early education resources including an e-book, song with actions, educator guide, posters and lesson plans.

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Embracing cultural diversity, rejecting racism

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Harmony Day on 21 March is a celebration of cultural diversity and a call to action to push back against racism, wherever it occurs."Today marks the 51st anniversary of the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination," said Race Discrimination Commissioner Tim Soutphommasane.The UN established the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination to commemorate the events of 21 March 1960, when police opened fire on a peaceful anti-apartheid demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, killing 69 people.

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The United States of America, due to its immense size and diverse heritage, has one of the most complex cultural identities in the world. Millions of immigrants from all over the globe have journeyed to America since the Europeans discovered and colonised the land back in the 17th and 18th centuries. The blending of cultural backgrounds and ethnicities in America led to the country becoming known as a "melting pot." As the third largest country in both area and population, America's size has enabled the formation of subcultures within the country. These subcultures are often geographical as a result of settlement patterns by non-natives as well as regional weather and landscape differences. While there are countless ways to divide the U.S. into regions, here we have referenced the four regions shown in the map below. People from each region may have different lifestyles, cultural values, business practices and dialects. While there are qualities and values that most Americans commonly share, it is important not to generalise or assume that all Americans think or act the same way.

The Pursuit of Happiness
The U.S. Declaration of Independence states that everyone has unalienable rights to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." People across the country have adopted distinctly different lifestyles based on what brings them happiness.

The Northeast region is largely industrialised and life here is fast-paced. The region is home to some of the largest U.S. cities like New York, Boston, Philadelphia and the U.S. capital Washington DC. Northeasterners have a sense of regional pride for their states' association with the original 13 colonies. Their colonial pride is evident in their professional sports teams; the names of teams in this region (Patriots, Yankees, Nationals, 76ers) make specific references to American history.

In the West, however, time moves a little slower and life is more relaxed. Westerners often prioritise happiness and personal endeavours over career success and achievement. People living on the West Coast are known for their love of the outdoors and their care for the environment. Recreational marijuana is also legal in six of the Western states.

The South is perhaps the most distinct region of the United States. Much of the South's history deals with slavery and the American Civil War. Southerners emphasise family, religion, and conservative values. People here are known for their "Southern hospitality." Southerners share a feeling of pride for their region and country which forms a strong sense of community and brings people together.

The Midwest is in some ways a blend of the other three regions. People here value hard work and individuality. These states are filled with some of the country's largest cities, yet outside those cities and suburbs there is mostly farmland. The Midwest is sometimes referred to as "America's Breadbasket" for its fertile soil and extensive farmland.

Business in the Land of Opportunity
The U.S. was dubbed the Land of Opportunity because of the great potential for prosperity. Americans are generally optimistic about the future and are willing to take risks and try new things. Business practices are relatively similar throughout America, but some differences still exist. Bear in mind the following pointers if you are doing business in the USA:

Punctuality is important throughout the States but the Northeast and Midwest emphasise punctuality more than the West and the South

Deadlines are taken seriously so make sure you stick to them - remember "time is money" in the U.S.

The business environment is generally more relaxed in the West; dress codes are more casual and workplaces are more social

Dress codes vary from region to region and company to company so always ask rather than make assumptions

Do y'all have the same dialect?
As you may have noticed, not all Americans have the same accent. The Southern accent is one of the most identifiable. For example, Southerners address a group of people with "y'all" while other Americans say a variation of "you guys" or "you all." Also, Americans in different regions use different words for the same thing. For instance, Americans disagree on the word for a carbonated soft drink; people in the Northeast call it soda, in the Midwest pop, and in the south coke (even when not referring to Coca-Cola). Check out this New York Times quiz that can predict where you are from in the U.S. based on your answers to 25 dialect questions.

As you can see, there are many distinct cultural divisions within the United States. Keep this in mind when meeting Americans, as one American may have a vastly different cultural background and upbringing to another. While other countries may be smaller and more unified in their lifestyle, beliefs and values, the United States embraces the cultural diversity of its people. In fact, 58% of Americans believe that increased diversity makes their country a better place ( Pew Research Center). That is 22% higher than any of the other 10 countries in the survey. Cultural diversity, along with a shared love for the country they call home, is the essence that brings Americans together.

USA Culture Quiz

Find our how much you already know about US culture by taking our interactive quiz..
USA Culture Quiz

Intercultural Training for the USA

Are your relocating to the USA or working with colleagues and partners in the USA? Develop the knowledge, awareness and skills to build effective relationships through our tailor-made training and coaching.
Culture Specific Training

Brad Wolf

Brad was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. He is in his third year studying marketing at The Ohio State University. After graduation, he plans to pursue a career in marketing - specifically in branding or graphic design. He also plays in a rock & roll band.

Posted: 13 July 2018

Categories: Country knowledge, Working internationally

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The United States: The land of cultural diversity

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We are delighted to welcome Brad Wolf, this month's guest blogger and current intern with LSIC. Brad has lived in the United States his entire life and will share insights into many of the subtle cultural differences within his home country.