Introducing Omniculturalism

Omniculturalism begins with the simple observation that human beings are in foundational ways very similar to one another; we humans have more profound similarities than we have differences. In human relationships we should give priority to similarities rather than differences between people. But we should also acknowledge that humans are to some degree different from one another, but these differences should be treated as secondary and should not be given priority (as happens with multiculturalism). Omniculturalism is different from colorblindness, or ‘identity blindness,’ which involves ignoring group differences. Omniculturalism involves, first, active celebration of human similarities and, second, acknowledging that there are also some differences between human groups and individuals, and giving a secondary role to these differences. Omniculturalism is universalist and against relativism. In particular, integral to omniculturalism are universal human rights and duties. Omniculturalism is also in line with research findings on the common group identity model and superordinate goals.