Is culture a dying phenomenon? #hr
I am a first generation American. My mom is Canadian and my dad is from New Zealand. Basically, I’m a frozen kiwi. But other than the random holidays that we sometimes mentioned or celebrated – I am nothing more than an American.
My husband is primarily German and last weekend I watched a group of 25 or so German Americans in traditional costume perform at a 100th birthday party for his great-grandmother who has lived in the US for more than 80 years – but still retains her strong German roots. Of all the people performing,the youngest looked as though he could likely be hiding an AARP card in his leiderhosen.
People my age are not spending their weekends learning about their heritage and joining their local “german-american” club so they can spend weekends singing at 100th birthday parties. When that generation is gone, so much ethnic culture will be lost with them.
In line with my earlier post this week on looking back to reshape our future – the whole event made me think about another time in our country when people strongly identified with the culture they were from. It was a time when a person would spend their career with the same company and it would be a part of their culture, identity, life. When so many people were 1st and 2nd generation American’s and still heavily participated and identified with their native culture. And, it made me think about how the increasing globalization caused by easier access to transportation, the internet and global businesses – how so many places (and businesses) are taking on the traits and cultures of others.
Will corporate culture be the next casualty of this dying phenomenon or will that be the one thing to hold strong? For now.
A very interesting blog, Sarah. I look forward to a time when we have diverse global cultures that have weaker links to country of origin. It is important to remember where we are from, but let’s move and merge it forwards instead of keeping linking it to traditions of the past. Culture is at its strongest when it is an undercurrent, therefore inclusive and organic, stable and flexible. And it is the same for corporate culture.
Felix -
I completely agree with you to a point – but I think completely eliminating a sense of culture will remove differences that make each of us unique.
I can’t imagine living in a world with out individuality, culture and diversity – can you?
Sarah
Ethnic ancestry is not the only aspect of identity, so I’m not sure moving away from previous conceptions of tradition are going to negate individuality or the opportunity for a rich culture. For example: fusion cuisine (there’s a local sushi place that has such offerings as makimono made with mango!). Also, you can look at all the rich musical traditions that arose largely out of the great blues men (Robert Johnson being my favorite, sorry B.B.). Diversity and individuality are functions of the freedom of thought. As long as we promote a society in which citizens are free to express themselves artistically and creatively in an open setting, we will not risk losing a rich culture.
I am German, Russian, Polish, Austrian, maybe British, possibly Dutch, and my great-grandparents were Germans who lived in Romania for awhile before moving to Chicago. Some people in my family are Jewish & Catholic (although it’s not an ethnicity) and others are Lutheran.
My maiden name is Polish because of my dad’s dad’s dad. My Mom’s name is Jewish. My husband’s last name is Swiss — but sounds German. His family is Swiss, German, Polish, and his mom is French Canadian. Or just french. We’re not sure.
You know what? I lived in England and had to fill out a form. I was asked for my nationality. I was confused and I explained my predicament to a fellow student.
I said, “I don’t know my nationality. I’m sort of a mutt.”
He said, “Love, you are American.”
I think it’s interesting to look back at our cultural roots; however, I worry that national pride and identity can divide us. We are Americans. We don’t have to denigrate our roots and we can respect our cultural heritage, but I would like to start thinking that America has a nationality.
Sarah- I think it’s important to specify that we’re not talking about what culture someone comes from, but the culture of their ethnic ancestry. In Greater Boston, there is a huge population of Irish descent, many of whom adopt this perceived group membership as an important part of their identity, though it’s uncommon to find anyone with even a parent from Eire. As the diversity of regions increases, you will see less of a focus on and connection with a perceived ethnic history and more of a focus on the existing culture. Culture is in no way being lost, just shifting to different practices. In regards to Laurie, “American” is a nationality as it pertains to living in the US. Ethnicity is more tied to the culture of ancestral origin (as opposed to just biological origin). Tradition can be a great way of connecting to other members of a group, ethnic, familial, or whatever, but we must recognize that this changes over time (perhaps most notably the supplanting of polytheistic belief systems’ deities with Catholic saints, but also in more subtle ways).
My central point is this: culture does not die. It is an integral part of the human experience. Globalizing forces (and those relating to the American ‘melting pot’) influencing culture are in no way different from the introduction of ironworking to a group previously working with bronze or written language to a group unfamiliar with the concept. The difference is that it is happening faster and on a larger scale.