character of culture

 The character of culture. Isn't that what the problem really is? It isn't in the color of the persons skin, it is in the perception of culture. We unconsciously seek clues to a persons character. Whether it is in the color of their skin, their manner of dress or the language they speak. Anything different from our own causes suspicion. At first it is curiosity, we are cautious, but not necessarily fearful. But when we associate those clues with something that has harmed us in the past, we become defensive. We tend to avoid, exclude or otherwise treat those folks differently. It's a reaction to culture and the perceived character of that culture. The most glaring is when their moral and ethical values are in contrast to our own. Think about societal norms. Societal norms are the basis of character. It is what is expected. The unexpected is always unsettling. Yes sometimes it is amusing, but more often it stirs anger.

 Martin Luther King spoke of just that when he said, the content of their character, not the color of their skin. He was advocating for a common culture, not a common character. And yes they are different things altogether. Today we even speak about cultural appropriation. Just what are we saying? Cultural appropriation is when others adopt the customs, practices or ideas of a different culture. Generally considered to be offensive. Why is that? If you Google it the answers are as varied as the cultures. I think it is just a feeling of, you are taking what is mine. With that you are taking whatever benefit I derive from that culture for yourself and you haven't earned that. Isn't appropriation just taking something? Not all that different than making false claims like I went to this school, grew up in this town, or served in this military unit, when in fact you did not. Stolen culture, stolen heritage and stolen valor. Same action.

 We all know America is a melting pot of cultures. That description first appeared in 1782 in America. Immigrants coming to America did "melt" or blend into the culture. What was that culture? Mainly European culture. English and French were the dominant cultures in the new world. They became the cultural norm. That isn't to say or imply that those cultures were in any way superior to any other, just that they were the dominant cultural influences. As a matter of practicality if you wanted to be accepted and successful the wise decision was to appropriate that cultural norm. Of course, it was called assimilation in the past, not appropriation. Theodore Roosevelt said this: " In the first place we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilate himself to us" the quote is a bit longer but that is the gist of it. 

 So we have to ask ourselves what is American culture? What is the cultural norm in America? The country was founded on Judeo-Christian principles when it comes to ethics and morality. That is where we need to look for those answers. Self sufficiency is the bedrock in all of that. God helps those who help themselves! It isn't a Biblical passage, it is older than the Bible itself, but a statement of common sense. Do for yourself and you will succeed. Self sufficiency. So where is the conflict with other cultures? It resides in perception. It has little basis in fact. I sum that up with this statement, "do not paint a picture and then complain about what people see" 

 What I mean by that is simple enough to understand. You can not justify wrong actions simply by claiming that action as a cultural norm. Yes different cultures have different traditions, different customs and ideas. Some of those may be in contradiction to the society you are presently living in. It isn't traditions, customs or ideas however that cause friction. It is the perception of character that causes problems, when that perception is in contrast to accepted societal norms. It is the visual clues that precipitate all of that. It's really as simple as, if it looks like a duck.  

 But what of those that have been removed from their "native" culture for generations? Are they entitled to claim that culture? Are they even aware of what that culture is? The answer would have to be no. My distant ancestors were Whalers and seafarers, can I know of their culture? No, I only know the stories and tales I have been told over the years. I have a perception of that, not a reality of that. In my thinking, that too, would be a form of cultural appropriation. Can one know a culture they never lived in? I don't think so. 

 Can multiple cultures exist in a singular society? No, I don't believe that is possible and attempting to do so will result in the collapse of that society. That's not to say a better society won't be the result, but merely that it will collapse. Although it has to pointed out it is only through a common goal, a united front that great things are accomplished. E Pluribus Unum, out of many one. It is the character of culture that we need concern ourselves with, everything else is perception, an illusion to distract.