“Without culture, and the relative freedom it implies, society, even when perfect, is but a jungle.” (Camus, The Myth of Sisyphus, 1960). This quote emphasizes the importance of cultural diversity within a society. Every country has its unique cultural identity that governs the behavior, thoughts, and expressions of its people. These cultural differences between countries shape our world today.
Understanding the vast diversity of our world is crucial. People from different ethnicities, hobbies, languages, cultures, and religions have diverse values and beliefs. Personally, I come from a Mexican background and have primarily lived in the United States, where I have encountered various cultures. One culture that particularly stands out to me is that of the Haitians. Despite their uniqueness, there are also similarities between these two cultures. Fortunately for me, I have a close friend named Samuel Mathieu who is 22 years old and of Haitian descent. He has given me the opportunity to learn more about his culture. His father originates from Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti while his mother comes from Gonaives in Haiti. Being a Haitian American who has experienced life both in Haiti and the US, he has adapted to cultural changes along the way.
Language is a crucial aspect of communication within a culture and is often linked to a specific group of people. When engaging with another language, one is also engaging with the associated culture. Nelson Mandela emphasized the importance of speaking someone’s language, stating that it reaches their heart rather than just their head. Accessing a language directly is essential to fully understand and appreciate a culture. Haiti provides an interesting example as its spoken language, Creole, combines various languages including French, English, and Spanish. During my conversation with Samuel about our cultural backgrounds and heritage, language was immediately brought up. We compared the languages of our respective cultures and discovered both similarities and differences in vocabulary and expressions. For example, we found out that “gum” is called “chicle” in Creole, which aligns with Mexican and Haitian cultures sharing the same meaning for this word. Another example is the term “byen,” which means “good” in Creole but spelled as “b-u-e-n” in your own culture’s language. As Haitians, we have successfully integrated linguistic elements from other cultures into our unique identity. Despite having distinct individual languages within our cultures, Samuel and I were able to find common ground through shared methods of communication.
When trying to learn about a culture or religion, one often wonders about the values and beliefs of the group. Religion acts as a universal language and culture for those who believe in a higher power. Though worship and praise may vary, the practices generally share the same purpose in life: to provide guidance, wisdom, bravery, and a connection with the higher power. When discussing Samuel’s connection between his culture and religion, he mentioned that Haiti primarily practices Catholicism as their main religion, with Christianity being second. Both Samuel and his family identify as Christians who believe in one God. It is customary for nearly everyone in their culture to participate in communion from childhood onwards. The significance of religion was ingrained into Samuel’s life early on by his parents. He confidently asserts that Christianity has brought him closer to his culture throughout his life (Mathieu). Our conversation about religion led us to conclude that there are connections between our respective cultures within the realm of religion. As Catholic Christians, which is the dominant religion in Mexican culture, I was able to establish a connection and understand the religious aspects in Haiti.
In summary, the diversity in language and religion significantly contributes to our culture, making our world more vibrant and thrilling. Embracing these differences fosters cultural inclusivity, which is crucial for societal coexistence. Without knowledge and appreciation of diverse cultural backgrounds, our society would not be able to thrive. By striving to comprehend and empathize with each other, we can gradually achieve global harmony through effective communication and shared religious beliefs.
