On an instinctive level, I think people have a tendency to divide the world in to "us" and "not us", or even "me" and "not me".
Among Mormons, non-Mormons are often called "non-members" (not disparagingly, just to put things in context for mutual understanding). The Hawaiians have their "haoli", the Japanese their "geijin", the Mexicans their "gringo", and so on.
In the 500s AD, Jutes, Angles and Saxons invaded England; the Saxons called the people there "Welsh" (which basically means "foreigner" or "slave") and drove them into the western and southern areas of that island (now called Wales); some even crossed the English Channel to a place then called Armorica, now called Brittany.
The world is becoming a place where it's more difficult to differentiate between "us" and "not us", which has both positive and negative effects. On the positive side, it makes us into a more global community; on the negative side, it might potentially lead to us forgetting our origins.
It's fascinating to learn about different cultures, and I'm glad for the efforts of many people to preserve history, traditions, and languages. I think differences ought be recognized and embraced, not erased or ignored, and ought to present opportunities for learning rather than segregation. Uniqueness is a trait to be prized.
America has often been called a "melting pot" because it has brought so many nationalities together into one place; I think it's more accurately described as a "stew", and I actually prefer it that way. :) |
