This week: A Touch of Culture Edited by: Kitti the Red-Nosed Feline  
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Sharing of our culture can bridge gaps and lessen division. During these times, that may be more important than ever.
This week's Drama Newsletter is all about humanity and why the differences between us are no obstacle to friendship.
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In the UK, as I write this, there’s tension in the air. I live in a divided nation, with some wanting the UK to exit the EU, and others wanting to remain. But there’s more to it than that – there is a tension centered around immigration, around cultural differences and whether or not one’s own culture will change if it meets with others.
As a migrant to the UK and a student of politics, philosophy and economics, these are worrying times for me. Just today the Prime Minister mentioned once more that my status here could be at risk. I can see my adopted nation heading for a difficult future, and at this point it’s going to be difficult whether or not we leave, because of the division amongst its population.
I am somewhat immune from the worst nastiness regarding immigration. I live in a village in the north of England, where many people moved to at different stages of their lives to simply be. There are a lot of creative people, from musicians to woodcraft folk, to writers like myself. Nobody really cares about who you are or where you’re from. When I’ve ventured into the nearest town, however, I have received the occasional comment that I should “go back home”. Such comments are ignorant, and unpleasant, and I am glad that I am not exposed to more of it. I feel for those who live in places where it’s worse.
I believe that I have adapted pretty well to the culture of my adoptive nation. I’m good at queueing, I can complain about the weather as much as anyone else, and I even now know what Boxing Day is all about, even though I still see it as Second Christmas Day, as that is what I’ve grown up with. I understand British humour and partake in some of it myself. I don’t feel, however, that it’s essential that one sheds their entire culture when one moves to another country, nor do I think that when different cultures meet, it need take anything away from the native culture.
Instead, I find it interesting to meet people from different cultures. It’s nice to learn of people’s traditions and festivals, to sample different foods and listen to different music. I guess I’ve grown up like that – my primary school had students from a variety of different nations and cultures and rather than fear the differences between us, we were all friends and enjoyed learning from the other. Food is always a bridge between people, as who doesn’t like trying tasty meals and snacks? We had cultural festivals with parents cooking up a storm, and sharing, and us kids had a very good time indeed.
I know that some argue that there are cultural traditions that are bad, and harmful, and I don’t deny that. If something’s harmful, don’t do it. That goes for everyone. Most cultural traditions, however, aren’t harmful and if people want to enjoy them, I say let them! You don’t have to partake in them if you don’t want to. Each to their own, and all that.
As writers, we can make a difference here, because culture isn’t just about festivals and food. It is indeed also the songs that we sing and the poems and stories and novels that we write. When thinking of the UK many will think of Shakespeare and Wordsworth, Austen and Brontë and, more recently, authors like Terry Pratchett. Who are the writers and lyricists of your nation and culture? Do they use cultural influences in their work? A touch of culture in your writing is no bad thing. Who knows, it might create another bridge, and goodness knows we need more of those.
I think it’s easy to forget when division arises that we’re actually not that different from the other. As people, human beings, we all want the same things when you get right down to it. The basics like food, water, shelter, warmth, and so on. Safety and security. Love. Friendship. As much laughter as we can get. And what differences there are between us are interesting, rather than fearsome. Besides, if we’re open to learning about the other, and from the other, we’re likely to make new friends and that’s a good thing.
There’s nothing wrong, then, with a touch of culture. As is often said, if we were all the same, life would be incredibly dull. We all want to be free to be who we are, right? So let’s not force others into conformity, and ourselves with it.
Kitti the Red-Nosed Feline
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Drama: January 16, 2019 Issue [#9330]
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