I agree with anthropologist Ruth Benedict, that we are creatures of our culture. Humans are bound by their culture, it is their identity. Everything we do is shaped by our culture in some form or another. Culture is something that is very hard to shed and it functions out of awareness. In order to understand others, we must first understand our own culture and how we are influenced by it. We can break through the barriers and understand others better by studying and observing their culture. It is important to realize that cultures are neither better nor worse, they are simply different. To be free from the hidden constraints of culture, we must study it and keep an open mind, because behind the differences there are basic similarities such as love, family, loyalty, friendship and joy that are common among various cultures. We need to experience other cultures and show more understanding, unlike the lady who traveled to Iran and felt very misunderstood.
Here is a link to a video clip I think you will find interesting!!
The God's Must be Crazy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66pTPWg_wUw
I saw The Gods Must be Crazy my senior year of high school. I thought it was absolutely great. I found it so interesting that a simple Coca Cola bottle falling from the sky can make such a huge impact. It really goes to show how much one simple thing can do to a culture. If I remember correctly, the main character actually went to L.A. and tried life there for a little while but ended up going back to Africa where he was comfortable.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you that everything we do is shaped by our culture. It sometimes doesn't seem that way but when we take a step back, our culture really dictates our lives.
Sweet Dee,
ReplyDeleteI am glad to hear you have seen it.
It's such a funny movie, I personally enjoyed part II more. N!xau the main character came to L.A. only to make parts of the movies and went back to Namibia his home country afterward.