Cultural Differences: Just Accept Them Already!

First and foremost, I completely agreed with everything and found it very interesting. I realize and understand the arguments on Cultural Relativism, but I really want to talk about the issues that make it necessary for this theory because I really feel passionate about that. There were many little problems that I recognized, but they can all lead back to one: peoples’ understanding and acceptance of cultural differences. Especially in America, I think that people are NOT understanding of cultural differences. I see it being extremely evident in two things: language and religion. Typically Americans see things as right and wrong. Except there’s one little catch. Americans are right and everyone else is wrong. Now, I absolutely love the United States of America and will even be an officer in the US Navy, but this is simply how it is. We think that if someone culturally different does something different from how we do it, it is wrong. I specifically like how the article touched on this. “If we assume that our ideas of right and wrong will be shared by all peoples at all times, we are merely naive.” Then I read this, “These customs cannot be said to be correct or incorrect for that implies we have an independent standard of right and wrong which they may be judged.” It got me thinking. We do have standards of right and wrong to judge people. We have the Constitution and all our laws. However, those things are to judge people on their legality. So as long as their cultural customs are legal in where they are, we cannot judge them. And each culture and country has their own standards. Then I read in the article the part about different cultures’ opinions about the earth being round or flat. But, this is not a valid argument. Things like geography can be proven, and it has been proven that the world is flat. So in this case, the one culture is wrong, BUT you should still respect that culture, despite their belief. “Different societies have different moral codes.” So, back to language and religion. Here in the US, we expect all foreigners, whether they are travelers or foreigners, to speak our language. If they don’t, we get mad and they are wrong. But if we were to go to another country, the chances of a typical American citizen learning their language is very slim. And it is also likely that the people in that country would not be rude to us, but would be as helpful as they can. Again, this is very stereotypical, but still. This excerpt from the article really describes the feelings in this situation. “Our own way of living seems so natural and right that for many of us it is hard to conceive of others living so differently. And when we do hear such things, we tend immediately to categorize those other peoples as backward or primitive.” An example would be the Eskimos leaving the old out in the snow to die. Or, while reading Things Fall Apart, there were many things that I absolutely could not connect to and disagreed with. But I can understand that these traditions, such as multiple wives or killing “evil” babies, are a big and important part of that tribe’s culture. Then the Christians come in and try to change them, which is all fine and dandy except for the fact that many of these missionaries have no respect for the people of the tribe or their ways. Which leads us to the topic of religion. I am a Catholic Christian, so I do not intend disrespect in any of this. Christians, especially born-again Christians seem to be very hypocritical. They preach love for everyone and understanding. But then they are not understanding about any other culture’s religion. I can recall a conversation with one of my friends like this. I made a comment about having respect for everyone and their religion because no one has the right to tell someone that their belief is right or wrong. Their reply was “Well, I don’t know how I feel about that.” I was taken aback. I had always known this person to be very understanding and compassionate, but now my whole view of them was changed. And I think this really describes a lot of American religious views. Religion is a huge part of culture. To solve this problem, I really like what Darius, king of ancient Persia thought. “A sophisticated understanding of the world must include an appreciation of such differences between cultures.”I think that for a better country, and a more peaceful world, (yes, I know it sounds cliché) America, along with every other country, needs to be able to understand, accept, and appreciate one another’s cultures. Then maybe we can all reach the form of argument in Cultural Relativism. Now, the consequences of Cultural Relativism do provide good points, but I really think that by an appreciation of cultural differences, there would be more understanding and cooperation. I am going to end my argument with that, but I want to point out some specific “fine print.” All of this is not to say that we aren’t supposed to compete with other countries, or even retaliate to acts or terrorism, but it will simply bring more understanding. And who knows what that could lead to.