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The Minority Experience: Navigating Emotional and Organizational Realities

by Adrian Pei (Goodreads Author)

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Joey said: " This book provides a timely introduction and analysis on the lives of minorities. It puts words to some strong emotions that a significant part of society experiences, known or unknown. Even in the 21st century, minorities continue to suffer today, e This book provides a timely introduction and analysis on the lives of minorities. It puts words to some strong emotions that a significant part of society experiences, known or unknown. Even in the 21st century, minorities continue to suffer today, e.g. the Rohingya Muslims or Christians in Iran and historical injustices continue to have their impact felt. The author explains that history is the reason why it's not just about each side seeing it from the other person's point of view equally because it isn't: "Minorities experience a unique and additional layer of pain that those from majority culture simply do not have to deal with."

Although written from the point of view of ethnic minorities, this book can be applied across all kinds of minorities, whether it's gender, class, religion, or marital status. The pain described is a universal one stemming from lack of justice, understanding, and dignity that comes from being different in a more homogeneous group.

The book is broken up largely into 2 parts- 1) helping the reader understand and 2) helping the reader take action

By reflecting and researching on this topic, the author has provided for people in majority cultures insight into what minorities experience every day and for people in minority cultures a deeper awareness of what's happening below the surface for themselves. As an ethnic minority growing up in the U.S., I not only recognized some of the pain the author describes, but also developed more empathy for other minorities of different types after reading this book.

Now that I'm living in Singapore as an ethnic majority, I appreciate the diversity in ethnicity, religion, and class in this small country. Unlike the U.S., Singapore chooses to retain the distinctiveness and beauty of other cultures by providing mother-tongue education, celebrating cultural holidays, and having signs in 4 languages. It's the difference of adaptation vs. assimilation, which the author also describes in detail. To be sure, there are still lots of issues that are underneath the surface in Singapore, which is why I've been encouraged by the 2nd half of the book to "walk against the flow of the moving walkway" to empathize and seek justice in my context, whether it's at work, public interactions, or even with my (future) domestic helper.

For organizations such as companies or churches, this book serves as a good conversation starter on how to embrace diversity and help minorities feel more included, even in less obvious contexts, such as singles in a church full of married couples. The included study guide is great for that purpose!

Each of us is in a majority culture in one sense or another, so I found it helpful to be convicted to get out of my comfort zone and make a difference. As the author says, "We must shift from a self-absorbed mindset to one that sees pain with eyes of compassion, stewards power with hands of advocacy, and reframes the past with a heart of wisdom." ...more "

Sep 04, 2018 06:59PM · see review