In a recent interview, Kemi Badenoch who is campaigning to be the next leader of the Conservative Party made the bold statement that “not all cultures are equally valid” The Guardian. This raises a challenging question: should we reflect on what we value in our own culture and what we are unwilling to compromise by accommodating others? However, the very notion of cultural “validity” hints at an underlying sense of superiority, reminiscent of imperialism: the idea that “we know best.”
One of Badenoch’s examples refers to doorstep campaigning, where she has encountered women deferring to the men of the household for decisions. The implication is that this practice is rooted in Muslim culture.
Fundamentalism rather than religion drives oppression
Without a doubt, we do see a patriarchal set of values in the more extreme Muslim fundamentalist teachings, but these are also evident in Christian fundamentalism as well. However, it is essential to note that these fundamentalist interpretations do not represent the entirety of these religions. Most Muslims and Christians practice their faith in ways that embrace equality and respect for women’s rights. Yet, even in a society as liberal as ours, we see sexual violence towards women is on the rise in the UK, which means that there are some aspects of our own culture which have an inherent inequality towards women—The Guardian. The challenge lies in distinguishing these extreme interpretations from the broader, more diverse religious practices.
Navigating Cultural Differences
Starting with judgments about which cultures are valid or invalid doesn’t help us navigate multiculturalism effectively. Culture is fluid, shifting over time as social norms, political ideologies, and religious beliefs evolve. So, the question isn’t whether cultures are equally valid, but rather, what are the dominant beliefs and practices that sustain them? Approaching cultural differences with curiosity, instead of judgment, helps us better understand why people behave in certain ways. This doesn’t mean we must condone every cultural practice, but rather acknowledge that it exists.
Can we judge if a culture is valid?
Using a term like “valid” to assess a culture’s value suggests that an external power is making this judgment—a notion with echoes of past imperialism and colonialism. Yet, it’s also true that some regimes, and the cultures they cultivate, do stifle freedom and expression. The resurgence of Muslim fundamentalism in Afghanistan, for instance, has been devastating for women. But is this truly the culture, or is it more accurate to describe it as a rise in extremism, which we see in both the East and West? Afghanistan, after all, was a more open society just 50 years ago. It’s important to recognize that what we see today is less a reflection of Afghan culture and more a consequence of the rise of extremist ideologies. These movements often impose new, restrictive norms that are not necessarily aligned with the country’s historical identity.
Immigration and shared values
Badenoch’s remarks were made in the context of immigration, suggesting that cultural considerations could help determine who we invite into the country. Immigration is already a deeply divisive issue, but introducing a cultural dimension—when factors like political regimes, economic instability, war, and failed states are at play—complicates things further.
In the United States, the citizenship test seeks to integrate immigrants by focusing on history, the constitution, and “American values.” In contrast, the British citizenship test centers on language, history, and geography, with less emphasis on shared values.
While understanding the laws of a country is important for avoiding offence or legal trouble, it doesn’t always help in navigating the more nuanced social expectations of daily life. Instead of questioning the “validity” of someone’s culture, perhaps we should focus on how our values overlap and where we can find common ground in contributing to society. Values are an essential bridge to understanding. Find out why inclusion is important here.
Balancing and respecting differences
One of the most powerful tools in our inclusion toolkit is open discussion. The more time we take to talk about how our backgrounds differ and how they are also similar, the more we can deepen our understanding of diversity. This isn’t about claiming that all values, behaviors, and attitudes are equal; clearly, some are harmful and cause pain or humiliation. But as we learn more about different cultures, we often find that most aim to build thriving communities where families can flourish. Perhaps the workplace can become one of those places—where we appreciate and celebrate differences rather than judge and malign them.
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I’d love to hear your views on how culture, immigration, and shared values shape the way we live together. How do we balance respecting cultural differences with upholding common societal values? Share your thoughts in the comments, and let’s continue the conversation on how we can build more inclusive communities.”