What Is the Benefit of Reading Books About Other Ethnicities and How It Changed My Perspective

When I was younger, I mostly stuck to books that felt familiar, stories about people who looked like me, lived like me, and shared the same cultural background. But the first time I picked up a novel that centered on a culture completely different from mine, something clicked.

It was like being handed a window to another world while sitting comfortably in my own room. That moment made me realize the real benefit of reading books about other ethnicities: they don’t just tell stories, they build bridges.

Why Books About Other Ethnicities Matter

It’s easy to stay in our own bubbles, where everyone thinks and acts the way we do. But the world is far too diverse for us to limit ourselves. Reading books from other ethnicities allows us to:

• Understand different cultures – Traditions, values, celebrations, and even struggles come alive on the pages.
• Develop empathy – When we experience life through the eyes of someone with a different background, we feel their joys and pains more deeply.
• Challenge stereotypes – Real stories break down misconceptions that media or hearsay might reinforce.
• Appreciate diversity – It’s not just about tolerance, it’s about learning to celebrate differences.

My Experience: The Shift in Perspective

The first book I read that focused on another ethnicity was Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. Before that, I honestly didn’t know much about Nigerian culture beyond surface-level facts. Achebe’s storytelling made me question my assumptions and gave me a whole new appreciation for African literature and history.

Later, books by authors like Khaled Hosseini, Amy Tan, and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie added more layers to my understanding of the world. I felt like I wasn’t just reading stories, I was traveling, learning, and reshaping my worldview.

The Hidden Benefits of Reading Books About Other Ethnicities

Here are some of the personal benefits I’ve noticed:

• Boosts curiosity – I found myself wanting to try new foods, listen to music from different cultures, or research history beyond what I learned in school.
• Makes conversations richer – Talking about books from different ethnic perspectives has led me into meaningful discussions with friends and colleagues.
• Promotes inclusivity – It helps us become more mindful of how we treat and interact with people from backgrounds different from ours.
• Encourages self-reflection – Surprisingly, learning about other cultures made me appreciate my own roots more deeply.

Why This Matters in Today’s World

In times where division and misunderstanding can easily spread, books about other ethnicities serve as tools for connection. They remind us that while our cultures, languages, or traditions might differ, the core human experiences, love, loss, family, hope, remain the same everywhere.

My Final Thoughts

So, what is the benefit of reading books about other ethnicities? For me, it’s about growing into a more open, empathetic, and culturally aware person. Every story adds a piece to the puzzle of humanity. And the more we read, the more complete our picture of the world becomes.

If you haven’t tried reading outside your cultural comfort zone yet, give it a shot, you might just discover parts of yourself in someone else’s story.