Episode 15: Why Is Cultural Competency No Longer Enough?

This episode focuses on a popular topic in DEIB and generally culture-change, which is cultural competence vs cultural humility. Why do we need cultural reflexivity instead?

Today, cultural competence models include cultural humility and have about 3 main components in place - awareness (of self), knowledge (of others), and skills (e.g. conflict resolution). We advocate for cultural reflexivity in its place  as it encapsulates many elements of cultural competence while prioritizing the willingness to engage in this work comprehensively - not just step by step but as part of an integrated mindset and behavioral change.

Links to Mentions & References:

-Behar, Ruth. The Vulnerable Observer: Anthropology That Breaks Your Heart. Boston: Beacon Press, 2022.

-Decena, Carlos Ulises. Tacit Subjects: Belonging and Same-Sex Desire among Dominican Immigrant Men. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2011.

-Foronda, Cynthia, Denise-Lynn Baptiste, Maria M. Reinholdt, and Khyati Ousman. “Cultural Humility: A Concept Analysis.” Journal of Transcultural Nursing 27, no. 3 (2015): 210–217. https://doi.org/10.1177/1043659615592677

-Khan, Shamaila. “Cultural Humility vs. Cultural Competence — and Why Providers Need Both.” HealthCity: Health Equity News from Boston Medical Center, January 13, 2021. https://healthcity.bmc.org/cultural-humility-vs-cultural-competence-providers-need-both/

-Kulick, Don. A Death in the Rainforest: How a Language and a Way of Life Came to an End in Papua New Guinea. Chapel Hill, NC: Algonquin Books, 2019.

-Lekas, Helen M., Karen Pahl, and Celina Fuller Lewis. “Rethinking Cultural Competence: Shifting to Cultural Humility.” Health Services Insights 13 (December 20, 2020): 1178632920970580. https://doi.org/10.1177/1178632920970580

-Liu, Jia, Elaine Gill, and Shuangyu Li. “Revisiting Cultural Competence.” The Clinical Teacher 18, no. 2 (2021): 191–197.

-Mead, Margaret. Coming of Age in Samoa: A Psychological Study of Primitive Youth for Western Civilisation. Vol. 56. New York: Signet Book, 1928.

-Penn State Extension. What Is Cultural Competence and How to Develop It? May 1, 2023. https://extension.psu.edu/what-is-cultural-competence-and-how-to-develop-it

-Rosaldo, Renato. “Grief and a Headhunter’s Rage.” In Death, Mourning, and Burial: A Cross-Cultural Reader, 167–178. 2004.

-Salzman, Philip Carl. “On Reflexivity.” American Anthropologist 104, no. 3 (2002): 805–811.