Cultural Accomplishment

Competent is a good explanation of achievement level on paper, but it hardly measures successful ability. I want to see it. I like to watch it. I need to observe it.

It’s interesting how by itself, competent sounds average, when in fact it could mean you’ve accomplished something quite difficult or unusual—something not easy to achieve neither on paper, nor in action.

Consider someone who tells you they are culturally competent, said matter-of-factly as an identifying adjective. “I’m 34 years old, I grew up on the east side, I like jazz music and I’m culturally competent.”

Or is it less like an identifier and more like an accomplishment? “I have a law degree and my undergraduate work is in communications. I received an award from the local City Council for my work with anti-bullying projects and I’ve been recognized for being culturally competent.”

I hope society hasn’t decided to start using this phrase—and worse-yet, defining the phrase—to indicate something that can be checked off on a list. I heard a terrific analogy that relates racist comments to personal hygiene. I can visualize it. I like it. I am more competent.