As a white South African of Huguenot and Boer descent, living in Portugal, having also lived in several other countries around the world, I have often found myself contemplating the ultimate cultural paradox:
How do we become part of the process of Globalisation which is now happening, a process where we are continually influenced due to cross-cultural boundaries being systematically broken down in favour of a specific agenda, whilst still preserving and observing our own individual unique cultural heritage, complete with beliefs, customs, values, rituals and wisdom?
The world is but a village these days, with our ability to access anything anywhere. The Internet has been fundamental in breaching those boundaries and gaps maintained by geographical distance. Readily available media and communications systems give us access to anything anywhere. The rise of online shopping means nothing is out of our reach. Through fashion, media, art, sport and food, we are exposed to many international influences at an ever-quickening rate, but at what cost? As the cultural boundaries are broken down, and various influences shape our every moment, what is getting lost in the process? What happens to our own personal cultural identity? And, is there value in trying to preserve said cultural identity, even if it flies in the face of the “politically correct” or “woke” ideologies?
These are important questions, as daily we are witnessing a cultural genocide in favour of a one-world globalist mindset, and with that, diversity is getting lost in the process.
The variety of creative expressions of people across the world is positively mind-blowing, from our art to literature, to cinema, sport, music, and of course, building/architecture. Let us not for one moment forget the amazing feats of engineering that we are capable of, as evidenced by a vast plethora of skyscrapers, castles, monuments, temples, roads, bridges and terraforming. Indeed, our capacities are endless, as is the diversity in which those capacities are rendered.
A misstep that historically plagued humanity, is the fear and negative judgement of people and practices which are different to our cultural normality. All too often, we cast aspersions upon matters we do not fully comprehend, as it conflicts with the cultural ideology of the cultural programming to which we have been subjected. Each person’s boundaries of normality and acceptance will vary in accordance with their own particular life experiences, but make no mistake, we all have those boundaries to a certain degree or another. For example, growing up in South Africa, I was aware that some native groups believe in having many wives. I myself find a monogamous marriage works best for me. Despite having grown up in the heart of the region known as Zululand, my cultural upbringing followed a Christian culture complete with said cultural boundaries. Even though I am open-minded, another wife, or several other wives in my marriage, would absolutely cross my boundaries of acceptance.
Having travelled greatly, I have always enjoyed meeting new people, experiencing different cultures, sampling their cuisine, learning about their rituals and cultural values. I personally embrace and respect cultural diversity, I enjoy experiencing that which is different, but I would not necessarily want to adopt practices of other cultures, as part of my own cultural behaviours.
Although it may not be up to us to judge that which is different to our normality, making judgement calls is a part of life and part of our very survival mechanisms. It can never be completely abandoned. It is alright to be judgmental, but the trick is, to also be forgiving at the same time. Holding onto aspersions of hatred or fear keeps one negatively polarised, which inevitably creates energetic blockages, stopping the flow of abundance and joy, from coming into your life.
The world is a beautiful place, and there is so much to be learned from it. Having the freedom to travel is something I have never taken for granted, and indeed, travel is still my number one passion. I love the excitement of the journey into the unknown. More than cars, houses, clothing, to me, there is much happiness that comes from the freedom to do the things you love, whilst having sustainable resources to do those things.
Freedom is the most important aspect of our reality, but sadly, many have become so battered by fear that they have traded their freedom for the illusion of security, which is in and of itself, a construct of the controlling power structure to give people the idea that they are “safe”. The recent restrictions in the wake of the climate of Covid have really made people evaluate what is important. So often we get wrapped up in irrelevant distractions, that we lose sight of what really matters. After all, it does not matter how many pairs of beautiful designer shoes you have, when you can’t wear them anywhere because you are in lockdown, you begin to reassess what makes you happy, where your values lie and what is important in life.
Preserving our cultural heritage is important. As human beings, we have accomplished so much, overcome much adversity, and if all our culture homogenizes into one global cultural mindset, then what is there to look forward to?
With diversity gone, what gives us the will to explore the unknown, when nothing is unknown, and there is nothing other, only unanimity.
Diversity reminds us constantly why freedom is necessary.
