CULT15738G Multicultural Voices

Growing up in Canada has always been a great learning experience for me as I have come across events that not only shaped my life but also played a crucial role in the values I carry. It has been a family tradition to visit Lake Louise in Alberta once every year as my parents were always fond of the peace and harmony that comes from nature. We decided to go for a vacation to the same place last year as it was my father’s birthday. When we reached our usual spot I saw my parents looking worried when they saw the litter around the lake. As it was not something we saw every time we came to the lake, and I still recall that day because no matter what the celebration was my father decided to clean the litter to show the love he felt for nature. After collecting the litter for three hours we all were exhausted but as we sat on the shore of the clean lake, my father leaned towards me and told me that no matter what you become or how much power or authority you gain always remember that cleaning the nature is your foremost responsibility and it will always be that way. This incident reminded me of the culture and values we carry as people of Canada, keeping our environment clean for nature has never taken away anything instead it has always given more and more beautiful sceneries to us. From this incident, I learned that keeping our surroundings clean is the major responsibility of every one of us as we all are a part of nature. And from the stories and actions I hear and see of my parents, I strongly feel that cleanliness has always been valuable to our culture because of the love that exists in our hearts for nature.

1. I learned that culture does play a very crucial role in shaping the values of a person. There exist various reasons behind the beliefs that exist in a culture and these reasons are linked to the individuals for their own benefit.
2. The two important aspects which were revealed from my culture were respected towards nature and taking instant action by sacrificing the temporary pleasures.
3. My culture has influenced the relationships I have with others which tends to be in harmony without taking advantage of the goodness. Another way in which my culture has influenced me is by adopting rituals that are beneficial for nature which includes minute things like watering my plants.
4. I do agree with Hall’s interpretation of the formation of cultural identities if taken the example from the above narrative the urge to keep nature clean is not a culture that emerged today it has been carried from the past generations which were very much affected by nature as they were dependent on it for their food and other resources. This process has been passed on to us and will be passed in the future to my children which shows the influence culture has from over the last years and how it will continue in the future developing cultural identities for feeling connected to one’s roots.