Art by Nick Slater
Without culture what would our world be like? It’s hard to imagine isn’t it?. Perhaps it’s hard to imagine a world without culture because a world with culture is essential. Our cultures are all very colorful, woven into our human experiences as a fabric, and very much important to us as human beings.
Culture is an important aspect of human life, and it plays a crucial role in how we shape our individual and collective identities. Culture provides us with a sense of belonging, purpose and meaning, as it embodies the values, customs, beliefs and practices that are shared within a community. Culture can also serve as a medium for expression and communication through shared experiences, and also influences our society in many ways. Our communities and ourselves as individuals are also shaped by culture, hence culture is very important.
Sharing our cultures can reward us with many benefits that can improve how we better understand others with cultural backgrounds different than our own. By sharing our cultures we inspire new ways of expression and appreciation, and we learn to accept differences in traditions and different ways of life. When cultures are shared, horizons become broader, and more understanding and less conflict is created. When we share culture, new ideas are also born, new music and arts are created, and different perspectives are also shared. Sharing cultures creates paths and opens doors for many sincere hearts to learn, study and practice traditional arts, revitalize traditional arts and keep alive ancient customs, languages and traditions.
There are different ways of understanding, and by sharing culture we learn this. Our way may look like its the only way, however we must step back sometimes and simply listen and observe other ways that are different than our own, we may even find a lot in common. We can break down racist stereotypes, and end discrimination by sharing cultural family stories, and educating people about our cultural history. We are all living on this planet together, as one family under the sky and clouds, let us live happily, colorfully and beautifully unique.
Jarrelle