The world is rich in an array of different cultures, organisms, and plant life. Many cultures are disappearing, the same as many types of animals are threatened or extinct. The world would be a richer place if people could keep the diversity that exists in cultures of the world. Before deciding whether to the government should protecting cultures through legislation or funding, the question must be asked “Which cultures to we protect?” and “Who makes the decision?”. In biodiversity, people decide which certain species are put on the endangered list. Some species go completely ignored and dwindle and disappear. In this decision, I must ponder whether all cultures should be preserved?
Around the world, there is a plethora of cultures. Some cultures still practice cannibalism. Another culture believes in karma. When Mother Theresa first went to India, the people of the country tried to run her out; they told her not to help the poor, starving people as it would interfere with their karma. According to karma if the poor don’t suffer in this life, they won’t progress in the next life. Mother Theresa helped anyways, and would not suggest funding to preserve the existing culture of letting people suffer.
My questions remain “Should all cultures who are threatened with change be preserved in some kind of cultural bubble? Should we preserve the cannibals as they are, so that their culture isn’t lost? Should we have made laws to stop Mother Theresa from interfering in Indian culture?” I think not. The United States does not interfere in domestic issues of other countries on matters of culture. The military is not used that way. Our government’s primary job is to protect its citizens not to police the world.
Of course, I could be wrong. Maybe our government could pass legislation to support some cultures like it does the arts. The loss of culture and languages is said for all of us. So much time is spent by archaeologist trying to discover what ancient cultures were. However, I don’t believe that our government should seek to preserve all cultures. The scope of preserving culture is too broad. Culture changes all the time. All cultures go through change, as people marry and move around. Even with new technology our culture changes daily. As much as preserving the cultural knowledge is important and makes the world a richer place, I don’t believe that our government should interfere. If our government did interfere, being asked over for dinner might have a whole new meaning.
Around the world, there is a plethora of cultures. Some cultures still practice cannibalism. Another culture believes in karma. When Mother Theresa first went to India, the people of the country tried to run her out; they told her not to help the poor, starving people as it would interfere with their karma. According to karma if the poor don’t suffer in this life, they won’t progress in the next life. Mother Theresa helped anyways, and would not suggest funding to preserve the existing culture of letting people suffer.
My questions remain “Should all cultures who are threatened with change be preserved in some kind of cultural bubble? Should we preserve the cannibals as they are, so that their culture isn’t lost? Should we have made laws to stop Mother Theresa from interfering in Indian culture?” I think not. The United States does not interfere in domestic issues of other countries on matters of culture. The military is not used that way. Our government’s primary job is to protect its citizens not to police the world.
Of course, I could be wrong. Maybe our government could pass legislation to support some cultures like it does the arts. The loss of culture and languages is said for all of us. So much time is spent by archaeologist trying to discover what ancient cultures were. However, I don’t believe that our government should seek to preserve all cultures. The scope of preserving culture is too broad. Culture changes all the time. All cultures go through change, as people marry and move around. Even with new technology our culture changes daily. As much as preserving the cultural knowledge is important and makes the world a richer place, I don’t believe that our government should interfere. If our government did interfere, being asked over for dinner might have a whole new meaning.
RSS Feed