Culture
The beauty of the world lies in the diversity of its people.
Given all that is happening in our geopolitical world, I wonder why some cultures believe they are superior to others and why this belief often leads to conflict.
The thread I pulled on to explore was culture.
As I began researching, I realized how vast and interconnected this topic is. Culture weaves through history, anthropology, and the human sciences. The deeper I went, the more rabbit holes I found, each leading to more questions.
Edward T. Hall (1914–2009), an anthropologist and cross-cultural researcher, observed that “Culture is not made up but something that evolves, which is human.” His words remind us that culture forms through human interactions, behaviours, and experiences. It also adapts as people innovate, exchange ideas, and pass down customs.
History is filled with cultures that see themselves as superior, providing tribal mentalities that often lead to division and conflict.
I grew up in a city where the bigoted mayor frequently criticized the French-speaking community. Many of my closest friends were French, and the tension was unsettling. At fifteen, I left home for North Carolina to work on a golf course, thinking I could escape such divisions. But there, I encountered something even more jarring—segregation. It was a cultural reality, and it left a lasting impression. I headed home to finish high school.
After finishing school, I moved to Prince Edward Island to work on another golf course. I loved the community but not the job. One day, in a local paper, I read about a farmer who had lost everything in a fire. What struck me wasn’t the tragedy but how the farming community rallied to help him rebuild. I witnessed culture in action, an ingrained way of life built on shared values.
That moment stayed with me. It was a stark contrast to the divisions I had seen elsewhere. I then thought this was how God meant it to be—love thy neighbour. Consequently, I chose to call Prince Edward Island home for the last fifty-one years. Culture can be a force for exclusion and a foundation for solidarity. That experience has shaped my view of the world.
Race is a construct imposed on people. Culture is a product of human creativity and connection. No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. - Nelson Mandela
I enjoy learning about different cultures and traditions; it opens up my world of understanding and appreciation. Learning a new culture requires letting go of assumptions, asking questions, and embracing uncertainty. No single culture holds all the answers. Kofi Annan emphasized this when he said, “We may have different religions, different languages, different-coloured skin, but we all belong to one human race.” Mahatma Gandhi reinforced that no culture thrives in isolation—openness to others is essential for survival.
Yet, cultural clashes remain inevitable, especially during times of transition. Hermann Hesse, in his book, Steppenwolf, captured this tension:
“Every age, every culture, every custom and tradition has its own character, its own weakness and its own strength, its beauties and ugliness; accepts certain sufferings as matters of course, puts up patiently with certain evils. Human life is reduced to real suffering, to hell, only when two ages, two cultures and religions overlap.”
If culture is, at its core, human, then it is also adaptable.
“If we could read the secret history of our enemies, we should find in each man's life sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all hostility.” - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
While traditions anchor us, cultures evolve through interactions, shifting perspectives, and changing needs. The challenge is to recognize that no culture is superior to another. Each carries its wisdom, flaws, and ways of navigating life.
Cultures give us insight into the forces shaping our world; I wish we could learn to build bridges rather than walls.
Until he extends his circle of compassion to include all living things, man will not himself find peace. - Albert Schweitzer
Inspiring Things
MUSIC: A beautiful cover by Teddy Swims. Put on your groove shoes. - What's Going On (Marvin Gaye Cover)
PHOTOGRAPHY: The Northern Lights Photographer of the Year.
