Ngo, Lap Yan Ryan ngo1601, Grade: 11
In the twenty-first century world, one of the biggest issues discussed is the debate between cultural unity and cultural uniformity. What exactly is the difference between unity and uniformity? Well one big thing that sets a line between the two, is the extent to which differences are tolerated between a society that advocates for cultural unity versus a society that advocates for cultural uniformity. A society that advocates for cultural unity would tolerate those of different cultures. While a society that advocates for cultural uniformity would not tolerate so. As members of such societies, chosing to conform to mainstream cultures or not should be a matter of personal choice. And based on my values and beliefs, I believe one should only conform to mainstream cultures unless one is sure by doing so can bring themselves better human flouishing and meaning.
A society that advocates for cultural unity would tolerate those of different cultures. While a society that advocates for cultural uniformity would not tolerate so. The word unity often indicates coorperation of different parties under a common goal, that is, in the context of society better human flouishing, happiness, and living. In order for coorperation between different cultures to occur, each culture must show basic respect towards each other and this means to tolerate those of different cultures than them. As for a society that advocates for cultural uniformity, the word ‘uniform’ means ‘single’. And for a society to be culturally uniformed it must only have on single culture. And in order to have only one single culture in that country, members of the other cultures must be assimilated into adopting a culture not belonging to them, which is, often done through violence against other’s will. That is why a culturally unfied society is better than a culturally uniformed society. Under unification, people enbrace tolerance and peace. But under uniformity, people embrace intolerance and conflict. The single element of tolerance is what seperates the peaceful ideology with the draconian one, and it is something we desperately in modern society. And based on my values and beliefs, I believe one should only conform to mainstream cultures unless one is sure by doing so can bring themselves better human flouishing and meaning. Think about this? If you wanted to conform because others judge you for being different than them, then why should you punish yourself for being who you truly are. Their culture is no way better than yours, and if you get made fun of and discriminated, then its their problem and not yours. There is no way you should bondage yourself with the mask of ‘cultural conformity’. But if you believe, without any social pressure or peer influence, that you can bring yourself better understanding and flouishing through adopting a culture foreign to yours, of course you are welcomed to change your mask in the will of your free soul. For I believe every single human being is born with the free right to change who they want to become, but they should not be born with the obligation to wear a mask under the scumbling dictatorship of cultural uniformity and discrimination.
Tolerance is what draws a line between unity and uniformity. In a truly culturally united society, you won’t have to conform to other cultures because you will never be judged for being who you truly are. That is why we, as responsible citizens of the global community, should uphold the gospel of cultural unity and diversity. For I believe in a society that gives people the free will to exercise their own culture without being judged or penalized with any strip of their flouishing taken away from them.
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