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Traditional Glue by Larry John
I know that I have often and at various times in my life wished I had a culture to call my own. I wished I could be like the Mexican or Italian families that were so close and enveloped in their food, religion, and language. I love the binding power of tradition. It seems like cultural traditions are a wonderful glue that holds people together no matter what. But while many are INCLUDED, many are EXCLUDED. Like my wife says… “I would never fit in as a white girl in a hula line.” I am also able to recognize that tradition can sometimes prevent progress, prevent learning, and prevent change. All cultures change, and the harder you try to hold on to the past, the more it prevents the future from happening. Tradition, and holding on to one’s culture, can be good for humanity or it can prevent humanity from becoming more humane. We decide. Think about it.
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