By João Moreira
Cultural diversity is one of humanity’s greatest assets. The ability we have to multiply ourselves in languages, religions, traditions, rituals, costumes, habits, and props, among other manifestations, is the true anthropological heritage that we have created naturally, starting from the first common man to several unique men. Creativity is the ability to shape or express something special, something that addresses a problem, a need, or a thought in an original and different way. Diversity and creativity are the perfect blend of relics of the human condition, which when combined allow for an infinite range of ways to build, rebuild and transform our entire reality.
The dimension of interculturality for creativity – and vice versa – opens the door to innovative solutions that can be applied to a globalized world that is increasingly demanding in terms of representation. Considering all the different ways of being, feeling, thinking and acting allows us to break away from the monotony of the one-dimensional image that has been created of man and embrace plurality. When we recognize and value the different cultural manifestations as equals, we are defining a truly fair society, where each person is truly represented and recognized.
For this to become an increasingly real pillar, it is essential that it be made organic, intrinsic and not a kind of battle for the “most common”. It is crucial that education naturally incorporates different cultures, provides new generations with a broader understanding of the world and encourages them to paint with all colors. In the field of arts and culture, for example, it is essential to support, give access to and celebrate the creative expressions of different communities, thus allowing for different perspectives and therefore different ideas. In history, we need a more global, less individualistic vision that encompasses other narratives. In society, it urgently needs to be established once and for all that there are people with different cultures, embedded in other different cultures, and that this is a virtue, a richness and not an oddity.
Despite all this, we have to be careful not to turn cultural diversity into a product or an obligation that always guides creativity along the same lines. Authenticity and fluidity are indispensable for preserving the true essence of cultural diversity and ensuring that creativity flourishes in a genuine way. We must avoid stereotypes and be sensitive to cultural appropriation, carefully ensuring that the source and legitimate origin of these expressions are kept intact. In an increasingly globalized world, it is crucial to protect and celebrate creativity and cultural diversity as a collective treasure, but at the same time one that belongs to those who have the ownership to demonstrate it. In doing so, we enrich the density of mankind, push the boundaries of our creation and build in a more inclusive and harmonious way. These are the driving forces of human evolution, which allow us to embrace the plurality of our existence, strengthen the bonds between peoples and foster intercultural dialog. Only through this approach can we learn from each other, and thus create an environment where differences are celebrated and enrich our society as a whole. This is the true legacy for future generations, which invites us to build the world as one.
