Experience leads to understanding.
Understanding leads to insights that can’t be learned in a seminar or from a book.
There is much talk these days about how the insight gained from ones colored life experience, adds to the understanding of a multicultural society.
I speak candidly of the discussion surrounding Judicial Nominee Sonya Sotomayor who enjoys a quick wit, a sharp mind and an honest tongue; all traits praised in Caribbean culture. It is ironic how her ethnicity not only influences her perception; it may be misleading how she is perceived, especially by those who do not understand her culture. The fact that she is so misunderstood gives credence to the argument that there is a large segment of the population that just “doesn’t get” multicultural.
The funny thing is that Sotomayor’s perfect English her credentials and her judges trappings leads this segment assume she should behave according to the protocol for women of their ethnic backgrounds, a stark contrast to the ones she grew up with. Aside from being female, Sotomayor might have little in common with a demure southern belle, or a housewife in the Hamptons.

One’s life experience for better or worse will always inform ones perception.
This only becomes a liability when one is not in touch with this fact, and assumes that everyone should share his point of view.
I think it’s noteworthy to be able to admit that our experience, ethnicity, religious upbringing, and our gender influence our perspective.  We do our best to look beyond that as necessary especially when trying to understand others, and leverage it when the time is right. Often enough this honest acknowledgement of our own colored lenses gives us extra motivation to get to know how others tick. It is this honest search that is to be valued in marketing as well as on the judicial bench. Taking no opinions for granted, making no assumptions, we are best armed to search for truth.