How Can We Celebrate Culture?
What does preserving a culture look like? Diversity offers a beautiful collection of ideas, problem solving, and forms of self-expression, and societies with small populations and older generations passing away deal with the loss of ancestral roots. To further explore this issue I will examine part of the article, “Cultural globalization,” by James Watson, which analyzes the multifaceted issue of organizations developing international influence.
“True, the standardization of everyday life will likely accelerate as digital technology comes to approximate the toaster in “user-friendliness.” But technological breakthroughs are not enough to create a world culture. People everywhere show a desire to partake of the fruits of globalization, but they just as earnestly want to celebrate the distinctiveness of their own cultures” (Watson, 2017).
Put another way, although people around the world have embraced the same, more efficient technology, it does not diminish the vibrancy or distinctiveness of each culture. In light of this, rather than fearing the natural flow of modern advances, I propose focusing on the grand treasury of history.
If not this generation, then who? People all over the world flock to museums to marvel at the foundations created before their time. Past artifacts and physical recordings of cultural heritage magnetically attract humanity. Writing songs, stories, and rituals passed down for decades or centuries helps people understand both their individual and cultural identity, while allowing others to grow a greater appreciation for those different from themselves. Art, language, music, architecture, novels, food, and so much more! Although societies leave behind intangible footprints as well, palpable representations offer a unique opportunity to visibly observe diversity.
Honoring traditions also allows current generations to better understand and embrace their nation’s legacy. For instance, several Asian countries, including China, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam, recently celebrated the Mid-Autumn festival, also known as the Harvest Moon festival. Several theories surround the mysterious origin of the festivity, but one of the most popular tells the tale of two lovers. In brief, Hou Yi, a brave archer, won an elixir of immortality from a god but decided to stay with his beloved wife, Chang’e, instead. One fateful evening, however, an evil apprentice broke into his home to steal the potion. Chang’e refused to let a villain live eternally, drank the elixir, and chose to live on the moon in order to stay close to Yi. Historically, people gave offerings to the moon in honor of Yi’s love and the sacrifice Chang’e made… Nowadays, the Mid-Autumn festival provides the chance to reunite with family, old friends, and perhaps a romantic interest. Every year people in certain countries of Asia gather together to bake mooncakes, craft and light lanterns, and watch performances of fierce dragon dances.
No longer what it once was, not what it will be someday, and unforgotten. History, tradition, pinnacles of diversity, these shaped how current societies exist today. We must encourage and educate others on how to explore their cultural identities. To get involved, inquire of yourself,
How can I learn more about my culture’s narrative?
Thanks for checking out my publication! Stay tuned for more exciting updates and dives into controversial topics in a genial manner to learn how you can make a difference in exploring and protecting global, cultural multiplicity.
Watson J. (2017, March 17). Cultural globalization. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/science/cultural-globalization/Political-consequences-of-globalization
