The lack of consideration for cultural diversity in research has been attributed to underlying ethnocentric European-American ways of thinking that have persisted in the United States for centuries ( Henrich et al., 2010). 3), which directly translates to what research topics and approaches are perceived to have or lack value. Okun (2021) writes that “white supremacy tells us who has value, who doesn’t, what has value, what doesn’t” (p. A consequence of this white supremacy cultural lens is viewing others as deficient and lacking in assets such as knowledge and skills. White supremacy culture implicitly and explicitly devalues and invalidates the cultural perspectives of nondominant others. Tema Okun developed a list of 18 characteristics of white supremacy culture, including “only one right way,” “paternalism,” “power hoarding,” and “individualism” ( Okun, 2021). Further, white supremacy culture embraces the notion that ideas, concepts, theories, and philosophies that are rooted in white origins are better and normal ( Okun, 2021). It is the lens through which others (non-whites) are evaluated. White supremacy culture is defined as “the idea (ideology) that white people and the ideas, thoughts, beliefs, and actions of white people are superior to People of Color and their ideas, thoughts, beliefs, and actions.” ( Dismantling Racism Works, 2021). However, health behavior as a field and its related theories have been primarily conceptualized through a monocultural lens-one of dominant white researchers, which perpetuates white supremacy culture. Given this understanding of culture as a vital function, researchers should prioritize culture when engaging diverse populations, particularly People and Communities of Color.Ĭultural Inclusivity in Health Equity ResearchĬulture is an integral component of human behavior ( Kagawa Singer et al., 2016). 29) emphasize that “memberships in cultures are pluralistic and overlapping,” reflecting the fact that individuals have multicultural identities and culture is dynamic, alive, and multidimensional rather than static and simplistic ( Kagawa Singer et al., 2016 Yosso, 2005). This framework is created by, exists in, and adapts to the cognitive, emotional, and material resources and constraints of the group’s ecologic system to ensure the survival and well-being of its members, and to provide individual and communal meaning for and in life. (2016) define culture as follows:Ĭulture is an internalized and shared schema or framework that is used by group (or subgroup) members as a refracted lens to ‘see’ reality, and in which both the individual and the collective experience the world. In this article, we align ourselves with definitions used by Kagawa Singer et al. However, narrowly defining culture minimizes its complexity and functionality. In many instances, culture has been narrowly defined, with researchers using socioeconomic status or other demographic characteristics, such as race and ethnicity, as a proxy for culture. The concept of “culture” is often ambiguous and lacks a concrete definition. Lastly, we provide applied examples of community-engaged interventions that leverage cultural assets in Communities of Color to reduce disparities and promote health equity. We discuss how applying CCW to conducting community-engaged research promotes health equity, inclusive science, and authentic relationships with community partners. In our approach, asset-based frameworks intersect with community engagement, CCW, and principles of health equity. This paper discusses CCW and its applicability and utility for facilitating culturally informed community engagement in health research. We anchor our approach-culturally informed community engagement-in the core tenets of CCW. Yosso’s framework of Community Cultural Wealth (CCW) emphasizes six forms of capital that People and Communities of Color use to thrive and succeed: social, navigational, linguistic, familial, resistant, and aspirational. Communities and the cultural values and practices that shape them are closely intertwined, creating opportunities for a more intentional approach to community engagement. Interventions, programs, and initiatives designed to promote health equity among Communities of Color must be culturally informed. Public health efforts seeking to reduce disparities and promote equity must be inclusive to reach their full potential.
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