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Three respected researchers and providers have brought before us the
celebration of diversity. While the word diversity would be much more
effective than "differences", which too many use as a form of label
emerging from biases and fear, we are brought into the reality of what
makes people, cultures and communities so rich and rare.
We meet people, we meet ourselves, and, as more sensitized
practitioners, can now serve more effectively as we tend to our own
stories (and issues) while reaching out to the gifts that are in
others. Part 1 invites us to recognize and honor differences among
cultures. We then explore "cultures of The United States", noting the
African American cultural responses to loss, the Native North American,
Mexicans in Southwest United States, and working with Southeast Asian
people who have migrated to the United States. Part 2 explores
international cultures. Of particular significance are the discussions
of war and trauma in the disintegration of the former Yugoslavia,
Israeli society between the culture of death and the culture of life,
trauma and recovery in Palestinian vulnerability and the various
challenges to and for healing.
The Rev. Richard B. Gilbert, D.Min.,
Executive Director,
The World Pastoral Care Center
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