OPINION PIECE: Cultural Change May Not Be the Key to World Peace
A colleague told me she believed our leaders are trying too hard to achieve global peace and harmony, hoping for too many compromises - in a phrase, expecting cultural groups to change themselves more than they are willing to. She says we all need to step back from idealistic ardor and be mindful that peace might better come from simple understanding of other groups rather than from seeking so much change unrelentingly.
She has a point. After all, what is the first rule for successful relationships between individuals? In our Color world we say, "At least try to understand people and simply acknowledge that they are who they are" - the corollary being, "Don't waste your time trying to change people." Therefore if we know that individuals change ever so slowly or not at all, then why should we expect entire cultures to change that much?
We spend a lot of time judging other cultures. We might say they are too free, or not free enough. There are societies that insist on unbendable rules for the roles of men and women. For some, food is judged as holy or unholy. In certain groups, individuals may be less important than the larger ethnic society. Some countries make religious laws part of their legal constitutions. Certainly attitudes about drugs, alcohol, and sex vary greatly all over the world.
And we see efforts to change other cultures every day. For example, the U.S. tries to attach birth control strings in its aid programs. Indonesia recognizes only the father as the decision-making parent for a child's citizenship - even for U.S. citizens. Nations and ethnic groups change their behavior very reluctantly - sometimes over centuries rather than months or years.
Just as for individuals, it is easy to be annoyed about other cultures. But let's ask ourselves, Are we stepping back long enough to appreciate the strengths that lie beneath the annoyances?
For example, we might be horrified about the high taxes in Denmark, and yet not realize that the Danes see themselves as a tight-knit cultural group that feels the best way to deal with the high cost of modern life is to share expenses so nearly everyone has nothing to fear from illness or natural catastrophes. They have created this society over many decades and appear quite happy with it.
The people of Afghanistan mystify us because they seem so uninterested in backing a central government, yet they treasure their unique village and family lives that are able to combat severe winters, food shortages, foreign invaders, and so much more.
In other countries, ancient religions shock us with strict laws and severe punishments, yet we may not appreciate the centeredness and inner peace and strong community relationships that such religions may foster.
The U.S. is perceived by most of the world right now as a frightening threat to their own cultures. People of other countries have trouble seeing the value of raw American freedom - in so many of its forms. Americans value freedom so dearly that they will put up with hugely shocking behavior in order to preserve it. It's part of American DNA.
Yes, ultimately, we all have to make adjustments - individuals and whole cultures do. But what price is paid when any country flaunts its values so strongly and loudly that the people "who need changing" stop listening?
Peace, like love, must be patient. And harmony? Well, harmony is hard work.
