Misty eyed, the old man looks down from his mountain home on the civilized that reside below his watchful gaze, glowing as light shown through a prism, the one light perceived in its spectrum of color. Bright vibrant shades of green to violet stand uniquely and individually firm, but seamlessly united in spreading its light through the darkness. Each citizen living, loving, growing in their own identity, expressing themselves to the rest of the universe without fear. The old man sees the walls and razor wire of division, judgement, and fear have ultimately been dismantled, cast away as the chaff when separated from the grain. With his final breath the old man casts his last blessing of peace over the civilized before entering into eternity knowing his creation has realized its purpose.
What is culture? Often, we define culture by cultural expressions; art, customs, and institutions. But, what creates culture is when these expressions have shared value amongst social groups. Lifestyle is another cultural expression when shared. Since the time of the ancients, people have been globalizing the world. Traveling, exploring, and engaging in the exchange of not only goods and commodities, but also knowledge, art, and faith. Culture, then, is ultimately a social form of communication. A way for social groups to communicate, to members and outsiders, its values and ideals.
There is much division that is often caused by the polarization of extreme ideas. I am convinced that if individuals were to examine themselves honestly, they would see themselves as multicultural beings not some cultural monolith. Once the individual views self within the phenomenon of diversity, they can then implement cultural diversity as a tool or technique in achieve supreme results.
With the continued work of truth seekers and advocates of peace and justice perhaps the old man will be able to retired from his struggle against the chains on people’s hearts and the razor wire in the rivers surrounding their minds that prevent us from expressing our many different shades while spreading the light of love and goodness throughout the darkness that still thrives in the world.
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