{"id":10073,"date":"2011-09-14T08:30:06","date_gmt":"2011-09-14T15:30:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/?p=10073"},"modified":"2024-01-28T22:27:14","modified_gmt":"2024-01-29T03:27:14","slug":"multicultural-kitchen-diversity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/multicultural-kitchen-diversity\/","title":{"rendered":"The Kitchen: A Metaphor for Multiculturalism"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"AWhy is being multiculturally-minded vital for improving people’s wellbeing<\/a>? The answer, surprisingly, can be found in our kitchens.<\/p>\n

Kitchens?<\/p>\n

People from diverse backgrounds often laugh, nod, smile, and clap when they hear me stating, \u201cfor bicultural or multicultural<\/a> individuals and families, the standard-sized kitchen is never big enough; these kitchens are not designed for multicultural people.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yes, kitchens.<\/p>\n

Picture some of the stuff I have in my Asian-American kitchen: rice cooker, deep fryer, crock-pot, two sets of steamers (Chinese and American), hot water pots, coffee pot, two sets of tea pots, espresso maker, indoor grill, wok, skillet, saucepan, two sets of dinnerware, two sets of kitchen knives, and a really wide range of sauces and condiments (e.g., soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, apple cider vinegar, Chinese black and white vinegars).<\/p>\n

Now imagine opening my multicultural refrigerator. You will see tofu (of all kinds), cheese (of all kinds), wines (Chinese, Napa, and Oregon), pickles, Chinese pickles, and vegetables and fruits from different parts of the world.<\/p>\n

I am neither a hoarder<\/a> nor a foodie. Many friends<\/a> consider me a person who lives a simple life. I also do not like my kitchen being so crowded, because, at times, too many choices and too much knowledge is confusing and frustrating. Moreover, I have been subjected to some unintentionally judgmental looks and comments about my kitchen. \u201cYou must choose,\u201d \u201cYou have too much stuff,\u201d \u201cYou are an American.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, this crowded and diverse kitchen is a reflection of who I am. I connect with, have lived in, understand, and enjoy both cultures<\/a>. Both the black bean paste short-ribs my mom made and the BBQ short-ribs my advisor made are delicious, but they can not replace each other, and I have both sauces in my kitchen.<\/p>\n

Once, an individual in an audience shared, \u201cMy family is Mexican-Italian-American, we have three sets of stuff, and the counter is not big enough for the microwave, coffee maker, tortilla warmer, and the pasta maker!\u201d<\/p>\n

But you already know that I am not only talking about kitchens. The kitchen is a metaphor. Think about being familiar with and identifying with different aspects of two or more cultures: value systems, manners, house layouts, dress codes, expression of emotions, behaviors, holidays, traditions, expectations, responsibilities, ways of coping, etc. Whenever a multicultural individual makes a decision (consciously or subconsciously) or takes in information, this person has at least three sets of value systems and criteria to think through. Having these lenses of identity<\/a> to filter things through is extremely confusing and exhausting.<\/p>\n

You think, wait, why at least three<\/em> sets of values systems?\u201d<\/p>\n

For example, all bi-cultural individuals will have at least three sets of knowledge: Cultural A, Cultural B, and the intersection of both cultures. For example, an Asian-American person needs to learn that:<\/p>\n