cultural divides
I read an article last night about a gringo (american) living in nicaragua who was convicted of a murder that seems impossible for him to have committed. he is to spend 30 years in prison in nicaragua. his name is eric volz. the people of the town insulted and shouted awful obscenities at him, but not at the other 3 native nicaraguans who were also brought to trial (one of whom was also convicted). Such things as ¨die gringo¨ and ¨he´s so rich his parents will probably buy his way out of it¨and ¨justice to the gringo, killer of innocent women,¨it brought so much to my mind...
i love people of other cultures as is well documented. i also have a very high view of humanity (i think people are beautiful and capable of tremendous beauty). but am constantly brought to my depths when i hear and read of people who hate other people based on something that seems so arbitrary, like nation of birth, native language, and color of skin.
it has happened and happens everywhere, throughout history, with all peoples. why are we so afraid of what is different? why do different cultures and customs and languages cause so much fear in us? just think.
what is your view of middle easterners?
and what about those that profess the muslim religion?
what about the illegal latin american immigrants who enable us to eat out so frequently and cheaply by working shit wages and hours in our restaurants?
what about asian immigrants?
what about african americans?
REMEMBER all of our parents were at one time immigrants and strangers in a foreign land. i want to challenge us to not only act with kindness and love towards those of other ¨races¨ (which is, by the way, a complete bogus concept invented by whites) but also to think good thoughts about them, afterall they are human just like you.
i have lots of amazing friends, but most of us, myself included, need to check ourselves with respect to peoples of other cultures. if we don´t, if we let hostile or even negative attitudes prosper within us, then the same thing could happen in middle america as happened in nicaragua. pointless, brutal, disgusting, hatred based on misunderstandings and ignorance.
love
i love people of other cultures as is well documented. i also have a very high view of humanity (i think people are beautiful and capable of tremendous beauty). but am constantly brought to my depths when i hear and read of people who hate other people based on something that seems so arbitrary, like nation of birth, native language, and color of skin.
it has happened and happens everywhere, throughout history, with all peoples. why are we so afraid of what is different? why do different cultures and customs and languages cause so much fear in us? just think.
what is your view of middle easterners?
and what about those that profess the muslim religion?
what about the illegal latin american immigrants who enable us to eat out so frequently and cheaply by working shit wages and hours in our restaurants?
what about asian immigrants?
what about african americans?
REMEMBER all of our parents were at one time immigrants and strangers in a foreign land. i want to challenge us to not only act with kindness and love towards those of other ¨races¨ (which is, by the way, a complete bogus concept invented by whites) but also to think good thoughts about them, afterall they are human just like you.
i have lots of amazing friends, but most of us, myself included, need to check ourselves with respect to peoples of other cultures. if we don´t, if we let hostile or even negative attitudes prosper within us, then the same thing could happen in middle america as happened in nicaragua. pointless, brutal, disgusting, hatred based on misunderstandings and ignorance.
love
posted by dk at 6:13 PM
4 Comments:
i think it is 1. fear of the unkown and 2. fear that what is "yours" will be taken away by the unkown.
people distrust the unkown because it is unkown.
but if we give the unkown a chance, i think we find many more similarities than differences.
I know there's a reason why I love you... and that's because you say all the things that needed to be said that I don't think about b/c I'm too busy w/ DBSK.
I agree with Leah's thoughts, however why does the native hate the American gringo...has he learned this??? From whom??? Having been host to four students of other cultures, I have learned that many in other countries do not like Americans because of the idea that ALL AMericans are rich and spoiled...not true...we have sooo many areas of poverty in our own country which no one would disagree with...but the perception of that native of Nicaragua says it all...the perception of an American causes hatred for many.
Tanyathao...these things do need said and Dan has said it well. My final comment is to look fairly at our own culture...where we have come from to get where we are today...
thanks for commenting! i think the other cultures hate americans 1, for our disastrous government foreign policy and 2, for the media portrayal of america, i.e. everyone is rich and spoiled...
we should strive very hard to show people how great americans are and can be. i mean, after all, we have a long and blessed history of positive social change and impacts.
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