Like many other fundamental social structures and phenomena, cultural diversity has existed for at least since human beings managed to establish civilization, yet defining and describing it is still a difficult task. I interpret this concept as a civilizational phenomenon of coexistence, be it peaceful or antagonistic, of different and distinct racial, ethnic, linguistic, and religious communities of people within one society. Some competent and respectable educational and research entities describe it as “communities or subcultures that function within a larger society while maintaining their distinct cultural traits” (American Psychological Association, n.d., para. 2). As one can see, my definition does not have significant differences; it is just more nuanced and inclusive. Cultural identity is also a concept that requires understanding numerous humanities fields to fully explain it in one definition. In my opinion, the components of cultural identity are their race, ethnic and historical identity, language and language family to which they belong, religious affiliation and personal spiritual perspective, and gender.
Many writers, philosophers, cultural experts, and other humanitarian adepts have discussed the topic of a single global cultural identity, and the number of opposing and similar existing opinions and inferences are vast. I think that the existence of a single cultural identity would destroy its very phenomenon, concept, and idea. There would be no categorically similar object with which such a thing as a cultural identity could be compared and, therefore, distinguished, separated, and defined. I definitely would not want to end up in a reality where global society is culturally monotonous. It is not because that would be an apparent dictatorial world order, but because it would just be boring and depressive, even if it were paradise incarnate. That is why the discussion of themes of cultural diversity and identity is needed. It maintains the ability to identify, explain and differentiate oneself and other communities in society, especially its the academic part, and, consequently, keeps the world bright and free.
Reference
American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Cultural diversity. In APA Dictionary of Psychology. Web.