THINK FOR YOURSELF ! Isn't Canadian Culture Still Worth Preserving ? Michael Ranieri

In the last century, some of the world's political/economic systems have undergone major transformations: There are no emperors left in China; Russia is in the midst of another major change; and the European Economic Community is getting closer to reality. The recent U.S. riots are a confirmation of the change that is required with our neighbours, yet we Canadians meekly sit and wait for others to think for us.

We see a need for an end to racism, sexism, environmental abuse, economic abuse and the ridiculous absurdity of our bureaucracy that puts paperwork before human beings. What can you and I, as individuals, do about this?

My background includes relatives that both fled and supported Russian aristocracy and communism. Ultimately, there seems to be no difference in the outcome for either. They came to the land of opportunity only to find a culture in which money is all and everything. In this economically driven Canadian culture, money takes precedence over community, over the arts, research, entertainment and over the basic necessities of life - putting a roof over your head and being able to eat.

Our culture is dying - people are not supporting the original concepts of freedom and real democracy where all are treated equal. I have a lot of sympathy for the unemployed and for the abuse the lower class in our society suffers. How can someone be sentenced and given a criminal record for stealing a pair of $12 shoes for their child, while an employee caught embezzling gets an internal "retraining" program ?

The Greeks had a number of words that they used to describe the various connotations of democracy. We have one that refuses to go away, where the "blue bloods" would tell people that they will do the thinking for them.

I have always been an "outsider", not participating in politicking, but if we should be more concerned with appearances and not make problematic issues public, then one of the most frightening aspects of this is : how many policies and practices will be rubber stamped and never disclosed or discussed ?

Other cultures have valued ethics and consistent morality (that is not necessarily dictated) as an integral part of culture. Does it still exist anywhere other than in a few individuals ?

As a business person my philosophy has been based on mutual satisfaction - if I do business with you, we should BOTH be happy. Some days I feel like an alien when I explain this pretty simple concept to people.

The examples are endless, but that is not the point. When people came to North America they brought their idealism and energy to try to find a better way to live. It was always stressed that adaptibility and flexibility are key components for healthy evolution. North America was the last great refuge for freedom, creativity and independence. It did grow and prosper, but often at the expense of women, third world countries, the environment and native cultures. However, these "subcultures" have fought back. Is our country now turning on itself because there is nothing left? We have forsaken the ideal of harmonic growth for advertising slogans.

Now is the time to start creating a sense of community: we cannot expect to be given jobs, we must be independent and start working outside of the confines that are holding us back. In a vacuum, culture can be created.

Support the Arts that you want to see, the ones you enjoy and derive satisfaction from. Participate in the things you can change and find others that agree.

Make mistakes as you try things out; for everything you try, a mistake will turn into the right stuff if you try hard enough.

Talk to people to whom you wouldn't usually talk to - find out if they are the same or different. Work beside them and play beside them - see if you remember how !! Think for yourself - Creat your own future ! till next time ..

This article was originally published in Cross Cultures Magazine in Volume 1 - Issue 4 - 1992. Unauthorized copying, distribution or other usage without express written permission of the publisher is prohibited.