Tanner Dawes

Film and Culture: Tuesday

4/21/14
What do you feel are the greatest struggles that our culture faces today? How do our
world changes affect those struggles? What are the greatest benefits that could result
from those struggles? What would be the dangers of not engaging in the struggles going
on around us?









The views in society we live with today, are different views from the past. A few
years down the road, the views in society will be different as well. The world is
constantly changing and growing. It has taken humans thousands of years to come to
terms with certain aspects of life in society that should never have been looked down
upon in the first place. One of the tremendous problems in society is pure ignorance. It is
the fear people have towards other people, and the fear of their beliefs.
One example of the struggle of fear people has for what is different is the
misunderstanding people have for others religious beliefs. Religion is such a personal
entity in itself, for the fact that ones own spirituality is their belief to hold and do with
what they want. Religion or spirituality in general is something that people base their
lives upon. It is hard to comprehend so much hate and anger all across the world, simply
because people think they, themselves are right. Spirituality is meant to be a positive life
force. It is unfortunate that the result for hate and fear has become war in many cases.
The ignorance in people can destroy the lives of their fellow beings. Mahatma Gandhi
once said, We must respect other religions, as we respect our own. Mere tolerance
thereof is not enough.
Along with religious ignorance is racial ignorance. Its still an incredible shame to
our society that people cant overlook the color of ones skin. The hatred a person can
have for something that should never be considered a fault is disgraceful. Once members
of society can show love and kindness to everyone, regardless of skin color, there can
finally be progress for our future. The words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Darkness
cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love
can do that.
Another everyday struggle in society is the lack of humility. It is so unfortunate to
live in a time period where people become so focused, and in many cases obsessed with
glamour and luxurious items. Technology is so involved in our lives, that all people see
are things they dont have. The craze people have over wanting the most expensive of
things tears apart our society. The loss of humility drives the greedy side of people to
selfishness, as they forget the important parts of life that would be humbling. Giving
service, helping others, donating to partake in saving a life: these are the things that our
society should look forward to doing. Once life revolves around being the wealthiest or
the best in some aspects, functioning as a member of society becomes absent. Humility is
a key to solving many poverty issues around the world. Realizing that having anything is
better than having nothing. Our society becomes so impulsive on throwing away what is
broken or what we dislike. It takes real understanding to know that something a person
owns and dislikes, would be a treasure to someone else.
How do our world changes affect those struggles? This is a question that is still in
the progress of being answered. When I ponder this question, there are a few things that
come to mind. One of these is the realization that only mankind can solve mankinds
problems. As nave or simple as that statement sounds, it is the truth. We wander this
Earth; living minuscule lives in an overbearing world. Though our lives may seem small
compared to the vast majorities we live with, what we do personally is what can make a
difference for the outcome of our civilization. If a person believes with all their hearts
that there needs to be a change for the greater well being of our society, that person must
take the first step in achieving that change. If our society wants to rid itself of hate,
persecution, ignorance, and jealousy, then everyone personally needs to work upon their
mind, and their actions. Everyone needs to be taken into accountability with troubles as
serious as these.
It becomes our own personal duty to take action on what we need to solve to
make every single living persons life joyous and meaningful. Happiness should not be a
fantasy for those who are living without it. Our beliefs and innermost desires should
become reality, and eliminate all negativity our society is forced to deal with. Once our
society can understand that our differences are not to be frightened of, but instead are
essential to a functioning society; then our world can commence with a solution to a
seemingly endless battle. We cannot focus on the future. Our society needs to first focus
on fixing the problems today. The words of Jesus Christ Do not be anxious about
tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the days own trouble be sufficient
for the day. The difference one person can make by taking action can change the lives of
everyone. It is what we do that matters, not standing by waiting for others to solve the
problems of the world.
The possibilities for benefits to these struggles could be endless. The thought of a
world, where all mankind strives to live in unison, instead of conflict is a miraculous
possibility unfortunately far from reach. Realistically, there will always be disagreements
over the differences of personal beliefs. That is what separates each person individually.
It is how we disagree that can be either productive or destructive. Living in a country that
is so diverse in culture, there is still an astounding number of those who hold us back.
The United States of America is called the Melting Pot for a reason. Our country was
formed with the mix of race, religion, and culture. Once everyone in our world can work
together, we can solve the problem with poverty, cease wars, and gain the overall status
of happiness in society. The Dalai Lama stated, It is very important to generate a good
attitude, a good heart, as much as possible. From this, happiness in both the short term
and the long term for both yourself and others will come.
There could be definite benefits once humanity learns not to lust upon possessions
that in retrospect are meaningless. To go through life without the worry of status or class
in society would benefit the lives of everyone. It would expel the thoughts of not being
good enough to make it in society. Each individual person has something to give. Once a
person can forget about their luxuries, jealousy will be forgotten.
We live in a time where there is actual destruction that seems to be endless. The
dangers of loathing others for mere differences are catastrophic. This is an extremely
sensitive and powerful struggle. Not understanding a persons way of life should never be
the reason for endless violence. Though it seems mankind has never learned from the
mistakes it has made in the past. With every situation is the opportunity to learn. Our
world has seen war after war after war. To this day our society looks to war as a solution
to our problems. The killing of others cannot solve the personal problems of each human
being on this planet. By doing this, our problems only increase, and move farther away
from progression. Martin Luther once said, War is the greatest plague that can affect
humanity; it destroys religion, it destroys states, it destroys families. Any scourge is
preferable to it.
To this day, different countries, different cultures, and different societies have all
dealt with the struggle of accepting people for the difference of their citizens skin.
Everyday life for everyone revolves around living among people who are different. The
notion for a number of people, that its okay to hate, dislike, or discriminate based
solely upon the difference of skin color is unfathomable to understand. The problem our
society has with race is that our citizens make problems, racial problems. It seems so easy
for people, to blame certain groups of people, when they dont know whom to blame in
the first place. The real danger our society needs to worry about at this time, as well as in
the future with this struggle, is the pointless ignorance that seemingly get passed from
generation to generation. It is everybodys responsibility to end the racism around the
world. It becomes incredibly important for every single person to understand how
essential it is to society for everyone to be as educated as they can be. Education is a
primary key to ending racism, and living without hate. Education is the most powerful
weapon which you can use to change the world. Nelson Mandela.
It may or may not be an innocent thought that our culture, one day could live
without the struggles that it does. Each individual is tested at some point in his or her
lifetime with one of these problems. I, however, dont think it is innocent or nave of
myself to think that our society could overcome these issues. Our culture is based off the
mixture or other cultures. Diversity is a part of what makes the United States of America
so incredible. If people can understand that life is too short to waste on hating, and the
need to feel envied, then we can finally make progress into a miraculous world.