Guest Speaker - August 19, 2014 Meeting

Posted by Al Anile

Dr. Barry Bryant, Associate Professor of United Methodist and Wesleyan Studies, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary located at 2121 Sheridan Rd. Evanston, Illinois 60201 was the Guest Speaker at our luncheon weekly meeting of August 19, 2014. His subject was about Social Differences amongst Different Cultures.

In the short time allowed to speak (only 30 minutes), Dr. Bryant discussed the significance of cultural differences to the mission of Rotary International and to Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, where he teaches. In my opinion, a very complex subject requiring much more time.

We share a common value "he said". Future population growth among the white population in the US means "white culture" will soon become a minority status in the US. This means that "white normativity" and "white privilege" must be questioned and challenge. Because of this the importance of competency in dealing with people in cross-cultural situations, whether on the south side of Evanston or in Africa, is crucial to the mission of Rotary International. Cross-cultural competency consists of self-knowledge, empathy, the knowledge of other cultures, self-confidence, and the knowledge of one's own culture.