Do Cultural Differences Divide Us? FrancisciWG.3C

Why do we become divided? Language, ethnic heritage and religious beliefs can divide the human race. Ethnic Heritage: A way of life or tradition passed on from one generation to the next. Divisive Force: A disagreement or hostility within a group that is likely to cause a conflict.

Language Divides Arab world – Arabic Hispanic World – Spanish Brazil – Portuguese Canada – French (Quebec) and English Switzerland – Multiple Languages English – International language because it is a world language

Ethnic Heritage Divides Former Yugoslavia – Serbs, Croats, Bosnians & Albanians Burundi & Rwanda – Hutus & Tutis United States & Switzerland – multiple ethnicities in one country Korea & Japan – Predominantly single ethnicity (homogenous) Cyprus – Greeks & Turks

Religious Divides Conflicts between Hindus of India and the Muslims of Pakistan Conflicts between the Roman Catholics and the Protestants in Northern Ireland

Religious Divides Conflicts between the Jews, Christians & Muslims all claiming Jerusalem as their religious heritage site Conflicts between the Sunnis and Shi’ites – Both Muslim groups stemming from a centuries old argument as to whom was to secede Muhammad