I think we are “creatures of our culture” as Ruth Benedict states. The habits, beliefs and impossibilities we have are basically the same (with some variations) because we are all from the same culture and these characteristics are shaped by that culture. Culture is learned from birth, whichever culture we grow up in we will learn and adapt to those specific characteristics. As many sociologists believe, we define what is real. Cultures are home to what humans define as important or correct as opposed to what is insignificant or wrong. We are the ones who make up these ‘rules’ and continue to follow them consistently.
I think one way we can break through the limitations of our culture is through education. Obtaining an education allows us to become over all well-rounded people. We can learn to be more willing to accept those who are different than our own culture and those with different world-views. Just because someone’s religion or belief-system is different than our own doesn’t mean it is wrong. If we become more educated on cultures different than our own then we will be able to understand them and accept them as another way of living and not a wrong way of living.
I loved your statement about how being different from the norm doesn't necessarily mean you're wrong. When America was first created, its residents were seeking freedom from religious persecution.
ReplyDeleteI don't think they would have been very happy with the treatment of Arab-Americans who subscribe to Islam after the September 11 attacks. Some people are still fervently anti-Muslim and don't recognize that al-Qaeda actually subscribes to a radical interpretation of Islam that isn't shared by most Muslims.
That would be like saying that all Christians are Catholic, which couldn't be further from the truth!
Education can help stop prejudice and stereotypes, but unfortunately, one cannot force someone else to learn. There was a poet on Def Poetry who called herself a "culture bandit" and took bits and pieces of what she liked from other cultures to make a mishmash of a culture that suited her. I think more people would benefit from her kind of open thinking.
Good job :)