race is a sensitive aspect of cultural competency training that requires professionals to be able to identify, acknowledge and value cultural differences. training on this aspect of cultural competence teaches professionals that to ignore racial differences, is a form of microaggression that can help exacerbate racial inequalities. in order to begin to understand intercultural communications one must understand the historical and social context under which different cultural groups operate. for example, the history related to the cultural genocide of indigenous peoples in north america, understanding the said group's value system, their ways of learning, and logic is essential in being able to understand how certain aspects of their culture may be similar or different from our own. such distinction must be approached with respect and without ascribing superiority or inferiority to the difference.