Creating a Culture of Understanding
The United States is a diverse nation. We have many different cultures and many different ways of thinking. The most common recently is our Hispanic family that has been rapidly growing. The Hispanic culture is much different than other cultures. It has a long history and spans many countries. It has hundreds of dialects and hundreds of governments. It is a beautiful group of people.
How can we understand each other?
We build relationships exactly the same. If we enjoying meeting friends and participating in different activities and hobbies together, then we will enjoy the same things with people from other cultures. Nothing is different, and it should never be looked at that way. When we create these differences in our minds, they become visible and real. This always results in misunderstanding and sometimes violence.
Avoid the Void
Lets just create a family. If we continue to not see the differences then they will disappear. If we assume that everyone we meet is someone we expect to get along with then we will be much happier. Keeping this positive attitude is the first step. Continuing to think outside the norm and understand other people is the next process. We may not be able to agree but we must understand that others are different.
Here we would like to post random information articles about every different topic imaginable. We want to talk about Hispanic history and heroes as well as the latest fashion trends. We have something for everyone and we hope to help everyone share.
The first article here is about understanding in general and how we need to keep these things in mind as we continue on our journey.
Using Emotions
The time I spent in Latin America was the most fun I have ever had. I remember thinking that I would miss the United States and all the food, people, and places I loved. After getting accustomed to the new language I feel in love with the culture and did not want to leave. I only stayed a couple of short years there but leaving was one of the hardest things I have ever done.
At first I seemed to only see strange looking people. No one looked like me or any of my friends back home. Everyone seemed to think the same about me. I would walk along the street and people would go out of their way to stare at me. I made it a priority that I would fit in here no matter what.
After 6 months I learned the language to the point where I could hold a normal conversation. I worked hard to master the pronunciation first so as not to sound “foreign.” This turned out to be an excellent idea. Everyone began to mistake me as a local. I was so happy I “broke in” and became just like everyone else.
My demeanor changed and my attitude changed. I began to talk to everyone. I learned several things about the the people I met:
1. They are very tender-hearted. Everyone seemed to really want to help me if I was lost. And would go out of their way to say “Hi” or help their neighbor.
2. They know the importance of relaxation. Back home everyone seemed to always be in a hurry to make more money or to be more famous. Here people wanted to talk and understand others’ ideas.
3. They love to have fun. I knew a man that barely made enough money to live. One day his boss gave him a bonus for doing a good job. Instead of saving the money he immediately threw a party that night and invited all his friends and neighbors.
I thought that this was foolish and advised him to save it. He told me that he would not feel good doing that. I felt foolish for advising him so and I learned that others’ priorities are not the same as mine.
These experiences have led me to create this site where I hope everyone finds something interesting to read.