I've been thinking a lot about culture lately. My roommates and I have had several discussions that have attempted to explore every facet of "culture," such as what it means, what ours is, and how it relates to others.
The topic was initially raised when Lindsey returned home from poetry class in a tizzy. The aforementioned class explores racial poetry. Each week, students write poetry based on his or her culture. Aside from the professor's extremely anti-white American racist views, her assignments have provided us with thought-provoking conversation.
"What is my culture?" Lindsey asked.
She asks a valid question. As a white American, I feel confused about the details of my culture. After all, my family's heritage looks a lot like the stew we made last week (English potatoes, German meat, Native American carrots, and a dash of Viking salt). I have had experienced no meaningful experiences, nor has my neighborhood been re-located or oppressed. I am a part of a religious group whose characteristics have been muddied and post-modernized until it seems a lot like every other bumper sticker statement.
This week, I am supposed to write a 2 page paper for my African music class that discusses my culture. Somehow, I am to choose a song with lyrics that accurately reflect Me and My People. The assignment sounds simple, but I am at a complete loss. Aside from the daunting task of choosing a song that embodies "my culture" (hang on while I browse through the thousands of songs on iTunes), I have to actually pinpoint what my culture is.
???
My African music class is currently studying West African dance. Today we watched several videos of various tribal dances; each displayed a type of mimetic* dance. Religious, educational, social, formal, informative, historical... these virtuosic performances of polyrhythmic beat and complicated body motions are both beautiful and practical. The performers today dance dances that have been danced for centuries. Each member of society knows how to dance and play all of their tribe's musical activities. [sidenote: in the Dan tribe, a man's intelligence is based off of his ability to dance and keep rhythm. I think this is BRILLIANT.] Their culture is rich, full, and beautiful.
My "culture" just introduced a new dance into society: "the Creep." My friends and I think it's hilarious and fun to dance to. In light of today's lecture, I almost feel ashamed. While cultures in Africa celebrate their history and society as a community through dance and song, my community wiggles around for 2 1/2 minutes to this. Oh, and don't forget the Cupid Shuffle.
I don't hate America; rather, I love living here and am extraordinarily privileged to be a citizen of this country. I'm just confused. I don't know how to write my paper, but more importantly I don't know about my culture. Do any white-middle class-female Americans have a clue?
*Mimetic: imitation or reflection of a specific idea. In this context, it refers to a dance that symbolizes a specific aspect of cultural life.
The topic was initially raised when Lindsey returned home from poetry class in a tizzy. The aforementioned class explores racial poetry. Each week, students write poetry based on his or her culture. Aside from the professor's extremely anti-white American racist views, her assignments have provided us with thought-provoking conversation.
"What is my culture?" Lindsey asked.
She asks a valid question. As a white American, I feel confused about the details of my culture. After all, my family's heritage looks a lot like the stew we made last week (English potatoes, German meat, Native American carrots, and a dash of Viking salt). I have had experienced no meaningful experiences, nor has my neighborhood been re-located or oppressed. I am a part of a religious group whose characteristics have been muddied and post-modernized until it seems a lot like every other bumper sticker statement.
This week, I am supposed to write a 2 page paper for my African music class that discusses my culture. Somehow, I am to choose a song with lyrics that accurately reflect Me and My People. The assignment sounds simple, but I am at a complete loss. Aside from the daunting task of choosing a song that embodies "my culture" (hang on while I browse through the thousands of songs on iTunes), I have to actually pinpoint what my culture is.
???
My African music class is currently studying West African dance. Today we watched several videos of various tribal dances; each displayed a type of mimetic* dance. Religious, educational, social, formal, informative, historical... these virtuosic performances of polyrhythmic beat and complicated body motions are both beautiful and practical. The performers today dance dances that have been danced for centuries. Each member of society knows how to dance and play all of their tribe's musical activities. [sidenote: in the Dan tribe, a man's intelligence is based off of his ability to dance and keep rhythm. I think this is BRILLIANT.] Their culture is rich, full, and beautiful.
My "culture" just introduced a new dance into society: "the Creep." My friends and I think it's hilarious and fun to dance to. In light of today's lecture, I almost feel ashamed. While cultures in Africa celebrate their history and society as a community through dance and song, my community wiggles around for 2 1/2 minutes to this. Oh, and don't forget the Cupid Shuffle.
I don't hate America; rather, I love living here and am extraordinarily privileged to be a citizen of this country. I'm just confused. I don't know how to write my paper, but more importantly I don't know about my culture. Do any white-middle class-female Americans have a clue?
*Mimetic: imitation or reflection of a specific idea. In this context, it refers to a dance that symbolizes a specific aspect of cultural life.
Rockin' the Suburbs.