Here's some questions that have been on my mind recently. If you have any insight, I'd appreciate it. :)
1.What does it mean to live simply? Especially in a context where 1st and 3rd worlds are side by side. And why is this hitting me now, and never so much as in the states?
2. To have people from other cultures getting along, what's that really supposed to look like? Does it mean to live side by side, without fighting? Or to be polite to each other? Or does it mean to really integrate others´ideas and customs? Ideally, I think the last suggestion is best, but it's one step at a time right?
3. Have you ever really stopped to think how much language is a part of a culture? I think that's one thing that I'm really learning this year. Each culture, has it's beauty, and part of that is it's language. But also, it's important to remember how exclusive a language can be, even when you're talking directly to someone who speaks your language, while someone is present who doesn't speak your language.
4. Experiencing a culture(s).... and with that I think I'll stop posting to the world. :)
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2 comments:
It's interesting your questions, as Carl and I were thinking about some of those same things. What did we think about living simply?
Well, I think we came to terms with the fact as someone from north america, you have access to resources, or yourself are a resource, and that can't be changed. And so while we are living in a place where there is poverty and lack of resources, we have realized that living simply means to hang on to your material things loosely, be willing to share them, in order to give someone else access to resources you have. Also, if you have resources embodied in yourself, like education, then to share those so that those around you can benefit as well.
So those are our thoughts....
I love your questions, Kelsey. I've learned other languages and you are absolutely right that culture is embodied in language. How do two or more cultures "live together"? Ideally, I would hope that each culture has the freedom to "learn/give/share" and not one culture dominant the other.
When we lived in Argentina many people thought that the Tobas (First Nations) should become "Latin". In fact, many people took for granted that the Tobas wanted to become "Latin". The Tobas want to be Toba. It is true that no culture is static and Tobas need to be given the space/freedom to be who they chose to be (& not dictated by the dominant culture). I don't know if this makes any sense or not!!:) Just a bit of my life experience.
Another thing I learned was to redefine words like progress, being civilized, being educated,... through the eyes of Tobas. I learned from the Tobas true generosity (which remains the highest virtue in Toba society, a pre-Christian virtue), peoplehood, and worship...
Chau...keep drinking that tereré!!!
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