What went wrong? Cultural Sensitivity Versus Diversity and Inclusion in Marketing Overview and Thoughts
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
What Went Wrong? Cultural Sensitivity Versus Diversity and Inclusion in Marketing
Overview
In recent years, brands have increasingly recognized the importance of diversity and inclusion (D&I) in their marketing strategies. However, the delicate balance between cultural sensitivity and diversity can lead to missteps that can damage a brand’s reputation. This essay explores the differences between cultural sensitivity and diversity and inclusion in marketing, examines notable marketing failures, and provides recommendations for brands to navigate these complex issues effectively.
Understanding Cultural Sensitivity and Diversity & Inclusion
Cultural Sensitivity
Cultural sensitivity refers to the awareness and understanding of cultural differences and the ability to respect and respond appropriately to those differences. In marketing, this involves recognizing the unique values, customs, and preferences of various cultural groups. A culturally sensitive approach aims to avoid stereotypes, offensive imagery, or language that could alienate or disrespect specific communities.
Diversity and Inclusion
Diversity and inclusion, on the other hand, refer to the broader commitment of organizations to represent various demographic groups within their workforce and marketing efforts. This includes not only racial and ethnic diversity but also considerations of gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, and socio-economic background. D&I initiatives focus on fostering an inclusive environment where all individuals feel valued and represented.
What Went Wrong? Notable Marketing Missteps
Several marketing campaigns have highlighted the potential pitfalls brands face when attempting to balance cultural sensitivity with diversity and inclusion. Here are a few notable examples:
1. Pepsi’s “Live For Now” Campaign (2017)
Pepsi faced backlash for its advertisement featuring Kendall Jenner, which was criticized for trivializing social justice movements. The ad depicted Jenner leaving a photo shoot to join a protest, offering a police officer a can of Pepsi as a peace offering. Critics argued that the ad commodified serious social issues for commercial gain, demonstrating a lack of cultural sensitivity toward movements like Black Lives Matter.
2. H&M’s “Coolest Monkey in the Jungle” Hoodie (2018)
H&M faced severe backlash after releasing an advertisement featuring a Black child wearing a hoodie with the phrase “Coolest Monkey in the Jungle.” The imagery was perceived as racially insensitive, drawing on historical stereotypes. While H&M attempted to promote diversity by featuring diverse models, they failed to consider the potential cultural implications of their messaging.
3. Dove’s Body Wash Ad (2017)
Dove released a digital ad that showed a Black woman removing her shirt to reveal a White woman underneath, which many viewers interpreted as suggesting that beauty is associated with being White. The intent behind Dove’s campaign was to promote body positivity and diversity; however, the execution lacked cultural sensitivity and led to accusations of racism.
Lessons Learned: Bridging the Gap Between Cultural Sensitivity and D&I
These examples underscore the importance of brands being both culturally sensitive and committed to diversity and inclusion. Here are some recommendations for brands to navigate these complexities:
1. Conduct Thorough Research
Brands must invest time in understanding the cultural contexts of the audiences they seek to engage. This includes researching cultural norms, values, and sensitivities associated with different demographics.
2. Involve Diverse Voices
Incorporating diverse perspectives during the creative process is essential. Brands should engage individuals from various backgrounds in brainstorming sessions, feedback loops, or focus groups to ensure that messaging resonates positively with target audiences.
3. Prioritize Authenticity
Authenticity is key in marketing efforts. Brands should aim to represent diverse communities genuinely rather than merely using D&I as a marketing strategy. This means aligning values with actions and fostering long-term relationships with communities rather than viewing them as market segments.
4. Test Campaigns Before Launching
Conducting pre-launch testing with diverse audiences can help identify potential issues before campaigns are made public. Brands should be open to constructive feedback and willing to make necessary adjustments based on insights gained.
Conclusion
The distinction between cultural sensitivity and diversity and inclusion in marketing is critical for brands seeking to connect authentically with diverse audiences. By learning from past missteps and implementing thoughtful strategies that prioritize both cultural awareness and genuine inclusivity, brands can foster stronger relationships with consumers while avoiding pitfalls that can lead to backlash. Ultimately, effective marketing should celebrate diversity while respecting cultural nuances—an endeavor that requires ongoing commitment and engagement from brands at every level.
