Diversity, a particular quality that is fully manifest
from the furthest reaches of the heavens to the minutest life form that exists
on this precious blue marble. It's also a quality in our own species that
appears to infect our thoughts with some little state of chaos. In that many
appear unable to allow its full expression to be seen and explored.
In Northern America both US and Canada we do have a
synthesis of Cultures here as many have left their origin homelands and settled
here for a assortment of reasons. In many of the bigger cities we can find
whole communities where those with similar backgrounds and ethnicity have
settled. Familiarity drives many to seek coexistence among those most like
themselves, and I suspect it is far easier to live around what you know and
have been taught or know best rather than settle where everything you know and
cherish is put to the test.
Many find it difficult to examine one’s own culture and
beliefs with a critical eye as to what is valuable and less valuable within
their sphere and to adopt new perspectives and ideology perhaps not originating
within one's own culture. I was always curious about human variety since very early childhood due to the way in which life was imposed
and the course thrown upon it. I spent a lot of time in books. Before the age
of 12 I had read tales from the far flung reaches of the globe. Tales from the
Arabian Nights , Aesop's Fables , Bible Stories , German Fairy Tales , and by
the seventh grade had completed "The Iliad" and from there went on to
read every myth and legend I could find from Persia, Greece, Rome Spain and
Gaul to those Scandinavian countries . Indeed I remember trying to
"dress" the part of other nations in my own room but not having the
appropriate accoutrements was unable to pull that one off. Of course such a
child can only perceive the outward visual differences. And since that time
have spent a good deal of time in many minds from different ages and cultures.
I have allowed myself to explore and find joy in the many talents and wisdom
that can garnish one's own life that have originated from sources not
particularly from the immediate inheritance of
my birth family.
Since we here have access to the great histories of
nations and cultures throughout the ages we can examine more closely how this
has affected not only the march of power but for many the desire of conformity.
We find that where conformity is NOT required that there are leaps forward in
nearly every field that mankind can apply itself. Music, architecture, art,
dance , cuisine , education and knowledge as sharing tends inspire many to
accomplish a great deal more than if imposed conformity is rigidly enforced .
Creativity flourish's where there is freedom of expression. While on a separate
perspective I would not want to see the loss of the very individual cultures or
to have them disappear as only part of our past. I own books from many
countries from philosophy to fiction, and have enjoyed the likes of National
Geographic which has brought many of the past and current cultures up for a
close inspection.
While I might deplore the histories of the march of world
powers over the peoples of the nations and the incontinent applications of injustices,
I can freely express my considerations of the fantastic skills and talents that
have been manifest and the great achievements in the fields previously mentioned
out of all those of ancestral lineages and countries. We can look back upon the
millennia and wonder at the great architecture , cloth , manners and systems of
beliefs and gather our own conclusions , appreciate the words of wisdom ,
writing , poetry , and philosophy , their rhetoric , the great thinkers and good
men and those truly maniacal that have existed within the various developing
peoples from around the globe .Here we can visit those various communities and
indulge in our favorite cuisines, buy art , clothing and jewelry , furniture
and other sundries from around the earth and different nations. Share stories
and commune with those holding homes and businesses within these pockets of
ethnicity and truth is most of these skills come from among the "common
person" from within these cultures, not those who desire to "buy it " , "hoard it" , or
"impose it" .
The priceless truths that thread the "common
man" among all those existing as we become a more global community. The
considerations of justice, fairness, equality , generosity , compassion ,
health , education and the desire to explore all that is known and yet to
become known . Indeed that deeply embedded "need to know" to acquire knowledge,
acquire skills, to enjoy life with its every gift and the talents given to
mankind are far less appreciated than should be . The trials and failures, the
successes, fully demonstrate the need to educate and explore these with a far
greater degree of freedom. To encourage others to reach into this diversity,
and to share the various threads of ethnicity. You would have to place me among
those who desire that conformity is never imposed except in the area Love. Love
for life, music, art, architecture, cuisine, individuality, education, skill,
talent and endowments of all these communities around the world. And while the
pernicious ideology of hatred still bares it's teeth in many parts of the globe
we have the ability to focus our own thoughts in leading others to consider all
the wonderful and distinctive differences from the many recesses of the world
that have made each so worthy of exploring to its fullest. "Bon
appétit"
[MICHAEL MILLER]
0 Comments
