Passing Down Our Heritage: How to Preserve Our Culture

Abstract

How to preserve our culture? In this essay I will share my viewpoint. Culture is a way of life of a group of people - their behaviors, beliefs, values, and symbols that they accept, generally without thinking about them, and that are passed along by communication and imitation from one generation to the next.

Culture preservation is the act of making use of excellent and studied measures to conserve ethnic artifacts with the aim of benefitting the future and present generations. It involves maintaining historic pieces important to a culture and promoting the preservation and usage of ancient culture. Although, the significance of cultural preservation has always been considered the best way to conserve civilizations.

Introduction

The Culture of an area is loosely defined by the arts, music, language and dance found in that region. It takes many different shapes and styles across the globe and is often influenced by the past. Cultural preservation reflects and shapes the beliefs, values, and ambitions, and also defining the national identity of the people. Through the passing on of skills and knowledge from one generation to another, it becomes possible for people to identify and form their identity. This acquisition of self-identity via culture, in turn, enables people to interact peacefully with different cultures. They become tolerant of other people’s values and belief systems, thereby fostering respect for diversity. For example, in the United States, cultural identity has enabled people of different races and ethnicities to co-exist peacefully despite their cultural differences.

Moreover, culture should be maintained because it offers a better understanding of how and why things came to be the way they are. Preservation of culture represents a connection between the past and present, showcasing a continuity of the past in the present. Through culture, people learn the ancient history of our forefathers and discover how that history has taken shape in the modern world. By preserving culture, people do not only gain a better understanding of their roots, but they also obtain an improved explanation of why things are the way they are. For example, through culture, African Americans can connect their origin and history with their present situation.

Culture should not be preserved because it inhibits progress and development. Societies tend to evolve, leading to the urgency of new ideologies and perspectives. Shielding culture in times of change, new ideologies, directions, beliefs and values prevents societal progress and growth. For example, Middle Easterners have a culture that requires women to only take charge of domestic issues. There is little doubt this cultural value restricted women from this region in participating in public matters, thereby preventing progress, development, and women’s independence.

Culture preservation can lead to the destruction of fundamental human values. Maintenance of culture presents an opportunity for supporting values or cultures that are against human rights. For instance, preserving a culture that in the past led to the oppression of women can become a justification of continued suppression of women. This way of thinking can lead to increased cases of violation of women’s human rights. The practice of stoning women accused of committing adultery to death is a perfect example of the continuation of a culture that disobey human rights.

Our role in a highly multi-cultural world is understanding, tolerating, and respecting each other’s differences. We have an obligation of understanding that each cultural group has different perspectives and strengths that can be beneficial to the larger community. Even more, we have the role of appreciating and tolerating every group’s way of life, values, and aspirations. Ultimately, we must appreciate and respect our cultural diversity to co-exist peacefully, as well as collaborate and cooperate in various agreements.

Advantages of Culture Preservation

Culture preservation has many advantages here are some of them; Preserving the history of a place through its significant historic resources gives a community its unique character. Preserving culture helps to stay connected to the society and also results in unity and brings out the feeling of nationalism. Culture contributes a sense of comfort and belonging. It brings families together and enables people to reconnect with friends in all the way of culture. In a lot of cases culture serves as a guide to the future. The accumulated knowledge of the past can help both the people and the country to advance on the future. And also with culture you will have a better understanding of how things came to be and why they are the way they are.

Disadvantages of Culture Preservation

On the other hand, there are some disadvantages of preserving culture. The costs involved in preserving culture are great. One of the main disadvantages of culture preservation is social tension can occur as a result of cultural and linguistic differences. Many times cultural mocking occurs and its seen with much violence. Culture may become combined and lost in time, it is important to have things in common with people but we have to own up for the history.

My Opinion - Conclusion

In conclusion to preserving culture essay, in my own opinion culture should be preserved because it is the way of attaining self knowledge and self identity , And also with culture you can figure out your individual identity, as a person of a total with a past, a present and a future. Through culture you can also understand the importance and the value of freedom, respect and peace. Since, history is a big part of culture, you also learn about the people or the groups that made sacrifices so you can be where you are today.

References

• MSUFA (2014).  Preserving culture and heritage through generations. Australian Multicultural Foundation.
• Thomas-Hoffman, E. A. (2015). Cultural preservation and protection.