Q: What is Culture?
Honestly, it seems like a loaded question, and one I feel that everyone will have a variety of answers for. If I were to google search culture, it describes it as “an umbrella term which encompasses the social behaviour and norms found in human societies, as well as the knowledge, beliefs, arts, customs and habits of the individuals in these groups.”
Now, I think that is a well-rounded answer; but if I were to expand on it even further, I would say culture makes up our sense of identity and connects us to our roots. And I think this is evident if you look at all the different countries and their respective traditions. Using my own homeland as an example, let’s examine Ireland and its culture. Irish, or Gaelic Culture includes very traditional things, such as Irish dancing (a Ceili), speaking the Irish language, traditional Irish music and instruments, which expand into modern times by teaching kids in primary school to play the god-awful tin whistle.
For the record, it is a lovely instrument when played correctly. But I am forever scarred by the horrendous playing of the tin whistle by little infants. We have our Celtic Crosses, which come in a variety of shapes. We even make St. Bridget’s Crosses on the 1st of February to celebrate the arrival of Spring. We have amazing old structures, like Newgrange, which is a tome that was built by farmers during the Stone Age, which is over 5000 years ago. The passage and chamber are aligned with the rising sun on the mornings around the Winter Solstice, so that the light of the sunrise shines down the passage into the tomb.
We have our holidays and celebrations too. Halloween can be traced back to Ireland, which is also called Samhain, a day where the spirits can interact with our world. And of course, we have St. Patrick’s Day, a day to celebrate our patron saint, by drinking ourselves stupid. We take this holiday very seriously, to the point that people during Lent consider the day a break from Lent. I’m sure Jesus would approve. Cultural things can be as big as our National Anthem to as small as everyone in the pub shouting “WAAHAAAY” when a glass gets smashed.
Now. I don’t actively think about my culture a lot. Doesn’t mean it’s not important to me. But I will say is I completely understand the frustration when there are certain types of people that seem to “undermine” our culture – for lack of a better word. As far as Irish people go, I say we are mostly chill, not a lot of stuff gets us angry – heck we will even let the stereotype that we are all abusive alcoholics slide for the most part. But one thing that I notice that will trigger any Irish person, is when we are lumped in with the United Kingdom. You people have to understand our History here. Ireland fought hard to get away from Britain. They completely destroyed a lot of our Culture, banning our national language, taking our land and rights away, and while the scars may have healed, they are still visible. Heck this upcoming December will mark the 100th year since the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty. Yes, Britain still has Northern Ireland, but it was a compromise to give the rest of us a Republic. You can call us drunks. But don’t you dare call us Brits.
Another thing I’ve noticed is this almost, sub-culture that has formed, I’m talking about the Irish-Americans. For context, a lot of Irish people moved to America during the Great Famine in order to work and send money home to their families. At that point, it was a one-way trip, so they settled there. Now, America, I know you love us. Why wouldn’t you? We’re awesome. But let me be frank when I say it is really annoying when you claim to be Irish when your “Mother’s Uncle’s Cousin’s Great-Grandmother” came from Ireland. You can have Irish Ancestors, sure. But don’t be claiming to be Irish and getting offended on our behalf when you really don’t know anything. A perfect example of how out of tune you are with Ireland was during the Black Lives Matters Movement, some Irish Americans thought it was a swell idea to make Tik Toks with the Cranberries song “Zombie” in support of “Blue Lives Matter” – which if they actually knew and understood the context of the song, that Zombie was a visceral response to the death of two children in an IRA bombing in the Cheshire town of Warrington – they wouldn’t use it to support a bogus movement that was only created to diminish the Black Lives Matters movement.
Even Irish-Americans who may have a parent who is Irish but lives in the States. You are your own sub-culture and fusion of two cultures. And that’s awesome. But you’ll never learn of our history and understand why we feel so strongly towards certain things – mostly because you live in the other half of your culture. Unless you actively take part in your dual heritage, you really can’t speak on our behalf. Just needed to get that off my chest.
I think ones Culture can really shape a person depending on if they were raised in a household that teaches them about Culture. In class, we watched a video of kids from different cultures experiencing different cultures and teaching their own. In this case, it was very insightful to see that young children understand their culture by being taught it by the adults in their lives. Some children have a clear understanding of their culture and why they do what they do, while other children don’t really have any culture at all. And that is largely due to how their parents raise them. But I think it is an amazing thing for kids and really everyone to talk about their cultures, so that we can all learn about them.
I’ve always found the idea of Culture fascinating – especially when comparing to other Cultures. For example, I find the Japanese Culture so interesting, and this largely because of my love for Anime. The way their elders are treated and respected, the taking off of your shoes before entering someone’s home. The different shrines around Japan and the different gods – it’s all very interesting. I even one day hope to visit Japan to see all this for myself first hand someday. But back to the point; my culture and Japan’s culture are extremely different, yet both are extremely fascinating. To me, mine seems less so because I’ve been used to it my whole life but I’m sure someone from outside of Ireland would find Irish culture as interesting as I find theirs. In fact I have had the pleasure of speaking with my International Classmates from Vietnam and I have enjoyed our conversations where we talk about each others cultures. They even requested I teach them a bit of Irish, which honestly made me really happy and proud to be Irish.
I think it’s important to respect the other Cultures. You wouldn’t like it of someone came into your house and starting breaking every rule and insulting everything would you? Think of Culture like that. You have your and they have theirs. Respect it, learn about it. Don’t get defensive when people correct you on it. Seriously America if you want to come to Ireland and be a tourist go right ahead but please don’t pretend you know more about our home then we do.
So, I challenge you to examine your own Culture, maybe look into the origin of traditions and examine other Cultures that interest you. I think it’s a fascinating learning experience.
Mark Savage (Jan 2018) The tragedy that inspired Zombie - The Cranberries' biggest hit. BBC News. From https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-42702781
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