The Importance of Language as Culture

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Lately, I have contemplated the concerns of bridging the gap between language and culture. Along these lines I have some pretty strong beliefs. For one, I always think of language as culture.

To my mind language is a powerful tool which in effect binds a group into a shared cultural experience. Language centers around the construction of thoughts. Many of these thoughts produce interlinked concepts which in essence define a people and their culture.

Given this thinking and considering American history it is no wonder that I have some concern that the original culture of new Americans are diffused (if not totally lost). Since culture has an interesting impact on who we are and in many ways define who we must become then one must see the value in learning (or in some cases relearning) the language of one’s ancestors.

One challenge I have taken up is that of learning Wolof (amongst other languages). The goal is to penetrate the mindset and the culture which was stripped away when my ancestors came to these shores. This is not to say that one should not consider and contribute to the fabric which is the American culture. But, rather its to understand that one must know where one comes from before one can understand where one is going.

Without a foundation the house cannot stand.

A Foundation of Hope

Today – in reviewing how far we have come since Martin Luther King’s (MLK) declaration “I have been to the mountain top...I may not get there with you,... we as a people will get to the promised land...” I was struck by the foundation of hope which MLK provided for America. In the election of Barack Obama it appears that hopes for a better America have been answered. Indeed our prayers for a more equal and just society seem to have been answered.

On the other hand we have rappers like Nasir Jones (Nas) who note that many of the hatreds and prejudices remain a prevalent component of our society. Nas puts it this way (referring to racism), “We still see this [-] on Youtube, My Space, when’s this ignorant [-] going to stop?” Most find these two perspectives to be irreconcilable. Maybe, it’s because I have done a bit of traveling abroad, but for whatever reason I can relate to both the hope and the despair of these two perspectives.

I have always believed that one should attempt to maintain some sort of emotional equilibrium in any case. The promise of the future must be weighed with the realization that Obama (god bless him) is only human. We have to mitigate our hopes and dreams by realizing that Obama’ real power comes from his ability to inspire hope and action in others. At the same time, Nas reminds us of the hatred which still exists in our country. We must also remember that people are always going to be people. Some may not like others (for a variety of reasons, including race).

Having felt both extremes (at one time or another), it might be wise to look at where we can stand up and make a better contribution to our society. One place might be picking up the challenge which Obama referred to as his commitment to remind each of us of our commitment to education. America cannot remain rooted in the past, we will have to forge ahead to remake America.

May we all dare to dream of a better day.

Caveats to blog management: What works well and what can be improved

Hi all,

Just a quick follow up to my previous post on blog management. I note the following items regarding this new blog method:

• Embedded pictures (those images attached, pasted or dragged into your e-mail) do not display in the blog properly
  
• The subject becomes the topic header of the blog post
  
• The text of the blog editor on blogger shows large typeface however the blog posts according to the style of the blog
  
• This new technology makes it easy to multiply mistakes (one e-mail message can appear on multiple sites quickly)
  
• Inconsistent formatting of text occurs around pictures
  
• E-mail messages sent to the Blogger can be set for either draft mode or instant publishing
  

Well until next time, stay healthy.

Blog Management: How to do it.

Hi all,

Well I’ve just discovered a new tool in my effort to stay current with my blogs. I am a user of the Google Blogspot web service (based at blogger.com). I recently opened my Dashboard to begin a new posting and noted that each site has an email icon next to a mobile phone icon.

It appears that one can now create a secret email address that will allow one to send an email which results in a blog posting. Tada! End of problems regarding how to find time to stay current with blogging. An interesting note is that one can probably send one email to multiple recipients (blog sites) and see multiple posts. Double Tada!!

Well light bulb just went off in my head. Everyone has time for an email. Everyone does. Since many folks no longer write letters this new technology allows folks to get a grip on their many blogs (sometimes simultaneously). Well this first post of the new blogging error is within the context of how to use the new technology.

HOW TO SET UP EMAIL BLOGGING

1. Login to blogger and view your dashboard
   
2. For each blog site click the email icon and add a secret word to create a unique email address
   
3. On your phone / email program – create a new contact (I use @blog-name for my contacts so they are easy to find)
   
4. For each contact set up the secret email address you created in step 2
   
5. Create a message and send it to the contacts you have configured
   

The dashboard area should appear like this...















Feedback, comments, critiques are all welcome. Be well and happy blogging.

Promoting Democracy

Image via WikipediaImage via Wikipedia

Welcome to the blog,

Below are my thoughts on one of our nations biggest problems.

Have we ever thought to simply look at what folks need to help them increase their freedom? In America we talk a lot about the ability to pursue economic utility. With free markets we focus a lot of attention on opportunity.

But what happens if one cannot seize the opportunity? Can those without education manage to make use of economic opportunity? I really don't see this as realistic. Take our relations with other countries like Pakistan. Are we being helpful or do we simply believe (erroneously) that developing a democratic free market style society would allow the Pakistani society to embrace democratic ideals?

Our efforts to bring the dream of freedom, the dream of America to other world citizens is being subverted by our ignorance of the true goals and values of other societies. Perhaps we should simply help world citizens become educated but without intervention and wait and see what happens. In each other situation within the purview of historical perspectives we have seen that education breeds democracy.

We are trying to push democracy with the force of a gun. This approach will never work. Education is the key to freedom and by encouraging and promoting education democracy will grow. We must stop spending money on bombs and start spending money on books!

Ideas matter.

Check out this video on Pakistan:
http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/448/video.html

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It seems that though the battle is won...

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The war rages on. Jesse Washington of the AP news today reports that the number of racial incidents against black people in America is on the rise again (Election spurs 'hundreds' of race threats, crimes, Associated Press, November 15, 2008). Unfortunately as a by-product of the success of Barack Obama in the national election there are many folks (apparently not blacks) who are gunning for the man.

Welcome to America.

No surprise here - let's just make it past Jan 21, 2009 and take it one day at a time. Unfortunately while about half of America has let go of their racial hatred there appear to be a large number of angry folks with guns who are not amicable losers.

Secret Service had better be on key with its protection level.

As if anyone would have to tell them this...

The rest of us had better use extra caution as the idiots of the world look for substitute victims. Now would be an appropriate time to educate the kids on the struggle and how to watch out for oneself. Historically as economic times turn bad hatred and anger boil over to convenient targets that in many cases happen to be minorities.

Watch out for yourselves and if you live in an area where guns are legal then arming oneself might be a good idea. No need to call the cops in that case just remember to take lessons and learn how to protect yourself and your families. Never again to lynching. Never again.

Winning graciously

Image by Will Lion via Flickr

Hello Everyone,

Let's hold on the political discussion for now. The race is over and we won. Let's be gracious and allow the pain to fade. Americans hate to lose so let's take it easy.

In the South as other locations the race was extremely close in some states. We need to realize that the job of governing will be much worse that the goal of winning the election. For now the election is over and we need to allow time to heal those wounds.

The economy had the largest gain on any election day ever. It also had the largest sell-off on any post election day ever. That, I believe is a reflection of the hope and the fear of this election.

America will have to come to terms with the reality. We have to come together since the election is over. For many years Democrats have lived through these emotions; we must be sensitive to our friends and neighbors in their time of despair.

Some of them actually believed all of the lies about socialism, terrorist, and everything else... Many folks believe everything they hear on Fox News as if it were gospel!!! We have to realize that for those who could not see the message of hope Obama provided that they might not be feeling too safe right now.

But this is America; so things will get better. The country will heal as we move towards a better Union. This is the United States of America.