Ain't That America

The Culture Club

I scoff at discourses that begin by quoting definition from Webster’s dictionary. So instead I shall do something completely radical and quote my favoured source on matters relating to the English language.

“culture, n.

7. a. Chiefly as a count noun. The distinctive ideas, customs, social behaviour, products, or way of life of a particular society, people, or period. Hence: a society or group characterized by such customs, etc. “

~ The Oxford English Dictionary, Online Edition

Just a little while ago I had an interesting discussion with a friend, that led to some heated debate and made for some exciting and stimulating exchange of ideas and opinion.

The spark that lit the fire arose from a statement made on a facebook profile status message (where else!) a few weeks ago:

“heard a wonderful comment on America- frozen yogurt is not culture :)”

This was of course meant in good humour, by way of poking fun at a people the way we would at any other community – Sikhs, Jews, French, Blondes, Nerds, to name a few. Harmless. However, my immediate response to this was: why not?

Now, lets get this straight. I do not like living in America. I find their ways odd, and unpleasantly so. The arrogance is palpable as you walk past them on the street. The lifestyle I find unhealthy. Their sense of aesthetics I do not understand (in fact, to me it seems non-existent. The focus seems to be more on practicality – but then that’s the culture, yes? But more on that ahead).

The American Dream has long since been shattered. Freedom, Democracy and Liberty all exist within the paradigm of the American mind. A mind attuned to shutting out the existence of The Rest of The World. It is the home of the brave soldiers that fight unjust wars on foreign soil, and the land of the free market greed, causing global financial crises. And let us dispel myths of them being an open-armed, accepting society. Racism, sexism and homophobia abound (albeit in a subtle fashion, as all three forms of discrimination are outlawed). And welcoming? Joe the Plumber is not interested in being friends with Apu Bangladeshi who owns the neighborhood 7-11. In fact, Joe probably has one hand on his holster every time he sees Apu. Happiness is a warm gun, isn’t it? And has anyone ever tried to apply for an American visa? Phew!

However, in spite of all of this, I do not deny them the label “American culture”. (Besides, I am being way too harsh . Frustration probably brought on by living in SUV-WalMart-Taco-Bell Suburbia). Of course there must be a ‘culture’ that exists here, right? How else would we be able to tell apart a Californian from a New Yorker? How else would we be able to tell apart an American from an Indian or a Chinese or an Englishman (besides an IQ test J )?

The ideals of Democracy, Freedom and Liberty are the founding philosophies of this nation, yes? So of course, here we have a philosophy. Ideas upon which a civilization has evolved from scratch (after doing away with those damned Red Indi---err, Native Americans, of course).

I am however referring to the more tangible forms of culture – traditions, customs, cuisine, music, art, language. Traditions such as the Thanksgiving meal. Music, such as Jazz or Rock ‘n’ Roll. (Note: Not only did the Beatles not invent Rock ‘n’ Roll, but were greatly influenced by American artists such as Buddy Holly – then considered in the UK as ‘blasphemous’ music and highly inappropriate). And entertainment: Can anyone truly claim that Hollywood style blockbusters are not a cultural phenomenon? And if the Sistine Chapel is art then so is Andy Warhol, Georgia O’Keeffe, Grant Wood and Edward Hopper. If Wordsworth and Tagore are poets, then so are Whitman and Frost. And I would not consider these people to be ‘American’ if their art did not reflect their environment and surroundings, but it does! One look at an Edward Hopper painting (see attached) would tell you that this is undeniably America. Tell me, is that not culture?

Yes, fast-food, teen-pregnancies and gun violence are also part of American culture. Much like desi ghee, sati, child marriage, caste system and communal tension are a way of life in India. No society is perfect, but neither is any society defined by its imperfections. A culture is the sum of it parts. FroYo + Democracy = America.

Another issue that was raised was that of history. Cultures take thousands of years to emerge. America is a fledgling society that has yet to earn the cultural label. In my opinion, the world around is evolving much too fast to set such timelines. Columbus arrived in 1492, The Pilgrims sometime in the 1600s, American Revolution in 1776. Long enough ago, don’t you think? I think the world and ‘culture’ and even ‘cultural heritage’ for a child born today is so different from someone born in say 1984 (yours truly). Did you hear the story of the two girls lost in a storm drain in Australia? They had a cellular phone with them but did not call for help. Instead they chose to update their facebook profile! How’s that for Cultural Revolution? So with respect to the exponential rate of evolution of human behaviour I think Civil War, The Founding Fathers, two World Wars, Vietnam, MLK, Space Race, Cold War, Gulf War, 9/11 and the election of Barack Obama are enough history to put America on the cultural map of the world.

I understand that I am coming off sounding like a USA-lover. Well, let it be said that my friend and I agreed to disagree, until we realized that we were both on the same side of the fence. In his words: “If this is American culture, I want no part of it”. Well said.

Now excuse me while I return to my cheeseburger and fries.