Culture and the Community

From: J Birch <Birch403@outlook.com> Sent: Wednesday, April 29, 2020, 6:28 PM To: dujarric@un.org; GlobalOttawa@globalnews.ca; news@skynews.com; tips@GlobalTVBC.com; contact.nbcnews@nbcuni.com; Sky.Today; nytnews@nytimes.com; news@thelocal.se; newsonline@ctv.ca; dan@jpost.com; david.penberthy@news.com.au Subject: Culture and the Community (Opinion)

Hey Everyone,

I was reading a story about "cultural appropriation" and a comedian who many feel took her comedy in such a direction.

This got me thinking about culture in general and how its reflective of the human condition. I am lucky enough to have grown up in a melting pot of culture. My nation is a nation of nations and I am proud to see all the varying cultures and expressions that make up my wonderful flag.

Culture to me is the collective expression and traditions of a select group of beautiful people. Each culture to me is beautiful, with varying customs, expressions and recipes. Each of us brings something beautiful to our communities, our cities and countries. Each expression of culture and identity enhances the definition of all of us.

To some, their culture is of the utmost importance as it reflects their home, family or ancestry. This is why "cultural appropriation" is concerning to them and can be damaging to us all. At times, some use culture as a joke or a thread of commonality to bridge different cultures and bring them together. When done respectfully in an effort to promote inclusion, this is beautiful. However, when it is being used from a place without an understanding of that culture it becomes damaging to the culture and the person. This can promote false stereotypes or standards and can even promote racism.

I understand the beauty behind culture and cultural expression. Personally, I find common chords within each culture that I find beautiful and awe inspiring. I myself at times have even spoken Patwa with my Jamaican friends but its moreso to honor that culture as it generally interests me. To me, language itself and the beautiful expressions, tones and harmonies connect all of us from ancestry to evolution, each of us are important.

The beauty of todays society is in the expressions of culture that form the basis of our modern world. Different groups of people coming together to form a stronger union despite differences, because they realize that behind those differences are opportunities to find common ground. This is what we have founded our society upon, the idea that we are stronger together.

We need to honor culture and not capitalize on it, we need to educate one another on the beauty of the different cultures and enhance the expression in society, on screen and in writing. Promoting the culture through genuine understanding and education so that we may evolve what the definition of culture and expression means.

This does not mean that you should not enjoy or experience other cultures, we must learn from one another so that we can not understand others but ourselves as well. I personally love Reggaetón, calypso, salsa, country, rap, rock, alternative and even pop music in a variety of languages. Not only because I try to honor these beautiful expressions of humanity but also because I genuinely like them. This is not me trying to be anything other than who I am but as well its an exploration into who I can be. Learning from other cultures, people and customs to enhance my journey in this life and to understand my community, city and country in a more profound way.

As long as this journey is taken with respect of other cultures its beautiful, as it can allow for us to evolve the conversation, society and ourselves, by delving into the differences between us and discovering opportunities.

To me, evolution of the self and society can only be achieved by all of society, we must all be active in the discussion of who we are individually as well as collectively. We must seek to understand each other and the different cultures that surround us. These are beautiful expressions of our people, of who we are and the definition of the collective expression.

This journey of self discovery is both inward and outwards as we find ourselves by looking within each other. We must have patience for one another especially during this cultural self discovery so that we can ensure the information is pure and without stereotypical bias. Only then, can we truly understand ourselves and each other.

If you seek to learn about another and their culture, do so genuinely or else you risk alienating that culture and damaging your own journey of self discovery. Culture is meant to enhance the human condition not obstruct it, we must each ensure that we practice "Cultural expression" not "Cultural Appropriation" for only then can bridges be built.

Perhaps, as a society we can cultivate understanding through courses, communication and collaboration. This way, the beautiful cultures that surround us add to the collective evolution of our people in a positive fashion. Together, no matter our differences, we will stand as one to reach higher heights that we can ever reach alone. Respect each other, educate each other and most importantly stand for one another.

Stay Safe, Stay Sanitized and Stay Supportive,

John Ames Birch

@johneames2