Thursday, May 06, 2004
Atsui desune, and The Perfect Society
Summer weather is here! The sun is beating down, my skin is slightly red, and I am wearing my flip-flop sandals. It does my mind and body good to enjoy the outdoors. This morning I went for a bicycle ride, and then spent the day at the park. It was a good day!
While I was at the park, I saw many of our Hispanic neighbors enjoying the park as well. At almost any given time, you will see groups and families of our Latino community at area parks. I began to think how nice it is that their culture includes this appreciation for such activities. I began to wonder, what would my perfect society look like, if I could steal aspects from other cultures? Here's what I would steal.
Hispanic Culture: I'd steal the notion of spending free time outdoors, together with friends and family at the park. I'd like to emulate their close knit kinship groups. I'd rob the idea of siesta, where work shuts down for a spell in the afternoon, during which time people nap and converse.
African American Culture: I'd emulate their pride; their shared understanding of the common struggle, and the apparent feeling of brotherhood. I'd steal the religious fervor and the endless creativity. The African American culture seems to value self-expression, style, and creativity greatly, whether it is in communication, art, fashion, or even sports.
Japanese Culture: I'd demand that everyone enjoy manga. I'd make sure that tradition still remained alongside modern life, and I'd definitely keep their diet. I'd steal their notion of harmony and selflessness. I'd definitely hope to copy the politeness and humility of their culture. I have always loved how they have managed to weave art, spirituality, and daily life all together.
American Culture: I like the freedom, although it has it's moments. I like the multiculturalism, and I love the fact that we strive to protect the rights of children, women, and all people. I like the exchange of ideas, and the notion that everyone is free to write their own destiny, even though failure is always still a possibility.
Other Cultures: I like the notion of respect that many Asian cultures expect. I like the idea that the community should be put above an individual. I like the Jamaican love for life, and the slower pace many island nations lead. I like the friendliness of the Australian, and the passion of the French. I love the code of family and honor that exemplifies Italian cultures, and the connectedness to nature of the Native American. I love the idea of royalty, and even though England has a nice tradition, I much prefer the Thailand equivalent, where it is a voluntary social no-no to criticize the royal court. Lastly, I would steal the love for soccer that the whole world (outside of the USA) seems to have.
I probably over simplified, or maybe even misinterpreted some cultures, but its my fantasy after all. The only thing I can do is live my life in the way I wish the world would be, and hope that I can exert some positive influence on others. What sort of world would you like to live in?
While I was at the park, I saw many of our Hispanic neighbors enjoying the park as well. At almost any given time, you will see groups and families of our Latino community at area parks. I began to think how nice it is that their culture includes this appreciation for such activities. I began to wonder, what would my perfect society look like, if I could steal aspects from other cultures? Here's what I would steal.
Hispanic Culture: I'd steal the notion of spending free time outdoors, together with friends and family at the park. I'd like to emulate their close knit kinship groups. I'd rob the idea of siesta, where work shuts down for a spell in the afternoon, during which time people nap and converse.
African American Culture: I'd emulate their pride; their shared understanding of the common struggle, and the apparent feeling of brotherhood. I'd steal the religious fervor and the endless creativity. The African American culture seems to value self-expression, style, and creativity greatly, whether it is in communication, art, fashion, or even sports.
Japanese Culture: I'd demand that everyone enjoy manga. I'd make sure that tradition still remained alongside modern life, and I'd definitely keep their diet. I'd steal their notion of harmony and selflessness. I'd definitely hope to copy the politeness and humility of their culture. I have always loved how they have managed to weave art, spirituality, and daily life all together.
American Culture: I like the freedom, although it has it's moments. I like the multiculturalism, and I love the fact that we strive to protect the rights of children, women, and all people. I like the exchange of ideas, and the notion that everyone is free to write their own destiny, even though failure is always still a possibility.
Other Cultures: I like the notion of respect that many Asian cultures expect. I like the idea that the community should be put above an individual. I like the Jamaican love for life, and the slower pace many island nations lead. I like the friendliness of the Australian, and the passion of the French. I love the code of family and honor that exemplifies Italian cultures, and the connectedness to nature of the Native American. I love the idea of royalty, and even though England has a nice tradition, I much prefer the Thailand equivalent, where it is a voluntary social no-no to criticize the royal court. Lastly, I would steal the love for soccer that the whole world (outside of the USA) seems to have.
I probably over simplified, or maybe even misinterpreted some cultures, but its my fantasy after all. The only thing I can do is live my life in the way I wish the world would be, and hope that I can exert some positive influence on others. What sort of world would you like to live in?
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