OUR ELUSIVE CULTURE

For so long now, I've been intrigued by the demand that if people don't accept our culture they can leave. Some seem to have that arrow launched at them for merely voicing a differing opinion.  

I've struggled to crystallize exactly what that culture that we so cherish really is. And whether we have some romantic notion, that in reality, it is simply a romantic notion framed by our view of what the culture is or should be. 

The events of the past week and treatment doled out to some people prompted me to ask myself the question yet again what exactly is that elusive Aussie culture. I know we have a list that is published on the government website, but that is really the Australia of today.  

For what it is worth, this is what I cherish and value in culture. 

I cherish a culture where everyone is treated fairly and equally. Where I am free to live my life the way I chose; implying, of course, adherence to laws both judicial and social. Where I am free to follow my beliefs and to express those beliefs in a respectful way. Where I can debate and discuss my beliefs with others in a calm, reasoned way, and whilst we may not agree we can respect each other's opinion albeit they differ. 

I cherish a culture where my worthiness is assessed by my actions, my deeds and what I contribute to society, and not by what who I am, what I believe. 

I cherish a culture that is optimistic, motivating, success driven, tolerant, innovative, creative, respectful and outward looking. 

I cherish a culture where people are free to declare their allegiance to a religion or to a political point of view without being abused, and bullied and treated like pariahs. 

I cherish a culture where people are free to dress the way they chose as an expression of who they are and what they believe without being spat at and attacked. That once again implies adherence to laws; both judicial and social. 

I cherish a culture where people help each other regardless of colour, ethnicity, religion, politics and anything in this screwed up world that divides us.  

I cherish a culture where people are judged by their actions and not found guilty based on perception, circumstantial gossip or perceived future crimes. 

I cherish a culture where people don't abuse and rip off the system and where they contribute to society. 

I cherish a culture where it's OK to be angry, but where that anger is expressed in a responsible why. 

I cherish a culture where people; women, men and children are not battered in their homes. The numbers in this country are shameful and frightening. 

I cherish a culture where law breakers receive appropriate sentences. And where, those who atone for their crimes, reform and go on to make a valuable contribution to our society are not lampooned for the rest of their lives. 

I cherish a culture where people are convicted by association or hung, drawn and quartered by the media. 

I cherish a culture where people are given a fair go to prove themselves and not written before they get off the launch pad. 

I cherish a culture where people don't shove their personal values down the throats of others. For often those who quote values as an attack tool often demonstrate scant adherence to any values. 

I cherish a culture that respects our history, our country, our flag and our rights, whether you were born here or not. 

I cherish a culture who cares for and nurture animals and our environment and where abuse is treated accordingly. 

Lastly, I cherish a culture where people embrace the concept of free speech, but understand that carries with it a personal responsibility. 

That paints a picture of the culture I cherish, but sadly, it's one that is slipping from our grasp. For so long now, I've been intrigued by the demand that if people don't accept our culture they can leave. Some seem to have that arrow launched at them for merely voicing a differing opinion.  

I've struggled to crystallize exactly what that culture that we so cherish really is. And whether we have some romantic notion of what our culture is, but in reality it is simply a romantic notion. The events of the past week and treatment doled out to some via social media prompted me to ask myself the question yet again what exactly is that elusive Aussie culture. I know we have a list that is published on the government website, but that is really what we have. 

So let me share for what it is worth, what I cherish. 

I cherish a culture where everyone is treated fairly and equally. Where I am free to live my life the way I chose; implying, of course, adherence to laws both judicial, moral and social. Where I am free to follow my beliefs and to express those beliefs in a respectful way. Where I can debate and discuss my beliefs with others in a calm, reasoned way, and whilst we may not agree we can respect each other's opinion albeit they differ. 

I cherish a culture where people are free to declare their allegiance to a religion or to a political point of view without being abused, and bullied and treated like pariahs. 

I cherish a culture where people are free to dress the way they chose as an expression of who they are and what they believe without being spat at and attacked. That once again implies adherence to laws; both judicial and social. 

I cherish a culture where people help each other regardless of colour, ethnicity, religion, politics and anything in this screwed up world that divides us.  

I cherish a culture where people are judged by their actions and not found guilty based on perception, circumstantial gossip or perceived future crimes. 

I cherish a culture where people don't abuse and rip off the system and where they contribute to society. 

I cherish a culture where it's OK to be angry, but where that anger is expressed in a responsible why. 

I cherish a culture where people; women, men and children are not battered in their homes. The numbers in this country are shameful and frightening. 

I cherish a culture where law breakers receive appropriate sentences. And where, those who atone for their crimes, reform and go on to make a valuable contribution to our society are not lampooned for the rest of their lives. 

I cherish a culture where people are not convicted by association or hung, drawn and quartered by the media based on agendas. 

I cherish a culture where people are given a fair go to prove themselves and not written before they get off the launch pad. 

I cherish a culture where people don't shove their personal values down the throats of others in an attempt to blacken someone for holding a differ view. For often those who quote values as an attack tool demonstrate scant adherence to any values in doing so. 

I cherish a culture that respects our history, our country, our flag and our rights, whether you were born here or not. 

I cherish a culture who cares for and nurture animals and our environment and where abuse is treated accordingly. 

Lastly, I cherish a culture where people embrace the concept of free speech, but understand that carries with it a personal responsibility. 

That paints a picture of the culture I cherish, but sadly, it's one that is slipping from our grasp. 

Judgement

 

When I saw this,  it reminded me of a story about my mother and judging people.

 

 

 

I have always had a very keen interest in religion. It stems from an inquiring mind and wanting to understand people, their beliefs and therefore their foundations. I believe this is very important, particularly if you are engaging with and working with people in different countries and from different backgrounds and different cultures.

 

 

Places of worship (doesn’t really matter what your personal beliefs are) are also great places to visit if you are looking for some peace and reflection time. Although I must confess, there have been some churches and cathedrals I visited (in Spain as example) were I felt very uncomfortable. The spirits of the bloody past were definitely still hanging around.

 

There are two locations in and around Sydney which I believe are ideal places to just visit and contemplate; the Buddhist temple near Wollongong and the other location is, the Baha’i, Ingleside.

 

Some years back, I was discussing these places with my mother. She mentioned she had never visited the Baha’i temple so I agreed to take her there. When we are arrived the place was deserted; peaceful and calm.  We wandered around the building and then proceeded to go inside. I was deeply engrossed in thinking and admiring the architecture and hadn’t noticed my mother had left the building. I went outside to find her deep in conversation with two bikies.  They were the typical bikie stereotypes; Harley’s, leather riding gear and tats. Bikies have always fascinated me. I think this is because they are so far removed from my life. By the same token, they also scare me. So I was somewhat alarmed to see my mother talking with two of them. Mum looked up, sighted me and bid farewell to the two guys.

 

As we drove off, I launched into the typical daughter chastising a ‘naughty’ child routine. Mum was silent for a minute and then she said “Just a minute young lady, I am your mother, I don’t need a ticking off from you, thank you.” She went on and asked what I knew about the two men. Naturally my answer was nothing.  She then proceeded to tell me what happened.

 

She had left the temple and was enjoying the peace and quiet in the fresh air. Up rode the two bikies. They got off their bikes and walked over to her and said “Isn’t this lovely place”.  They then proceeded to share with my mum that they had been collecting toys for underprivileged kids and were lamenting how tough it is for kids like that. They stopped by the temple to recharge and then they were off to do some work with a kid’s shelter. At this point I felt a bit embarrassed. My parents had always taught me and brother and sister not to judge others. Most importantly, to take the time to get to know someone, before you form your opinion of them.  I deliberately didn’t just the word judgement. I’m not sure anymore that we have the right to judge others. It sounds so very superior.

 

I was very quick to ‘judge’ the bikies by their bike, their leathers and their tats. It turns out the two men in question weren’t members of a gang; they were simply two guys who like riding bikes and helping others.  The messages my mum left me were these:

 

• Don’t be so quick to jump to conclusions based on what you see and not what you hear
• Take time to get to know someone
• The guy in the gutter might not be a wino or a tramp, he may just be someone who has fallen on hard times and isn’t coping so well
• Form your opinions on individuals not collectives of people
• Observe and trust your gut instinct

 

Not a bad list.