Box 1: Looking at Subcultures
Humans are unique from other living organisms in their ability to embody a conscious identity. This identity is often inherently defined by the larger culture we are from. While we may not have much control over the customs that are enculturated into our lives, we are actively choosing and participating in various subcultures. These subcultures help shape and define our beliefs, interests, mannerisms, personality and other social traits. These subcultures shape and define our identity.
Some of the subcultures to which I belong include:
The School of Dance: Like many of the arts, the School of Dance inhabits a small community of extremely individual, vocal (and perhaps dogmatic) artists. All the members share a common interest in dance but they all come from different backgrounds. Their backgrounds influence the subcultures within the School of Dance. Some of these include those that are strictly ballet dancers, modern dancers, competition dancers, choreographers, etc.,
The Preservation Department: I work as a preservation technician at the university repairing and preserving books and other materials from the library. More than just sharing the knowledge of the jargon or proudly pointing our work out when we see it in the library, there are many customs we have established. We use our acquired skills to make our own journals and we have a tradition of creatively baking/cooking every Friday for "Food Friday" (somewhat of a friendly competition).
India-goers: That is indeed a horrible title for a subculture but I know of no real name for it. There are a number of students, like myself, that have spent time in India. While we share a common experience, what is more relevant is how we see India playing out in popular culture nowadays and where we fit into between the two cultures. This is the subculture I would like to explore more for this post:
We have all been to India for different reasons and had very different experiences. There is no club or precise title for this subculture, either. However, this common interest ignites something spectacular. The excitement is anything but discreet and every rant ends with a "no matter how I try to explain India, people just don't understand!"
While these India-goers share the capability to suddenly come alive and bond with even the most opposite of people over this experience, what is interesting about this subculture is its position in limbo. No matter how much we know about India, how well we can get around in that chaos or how well we are accepted by other Indians, we will never be Indians nor is that the goal. Yet as Indian culture seems to have increasingly infiltrated American culture, we recognize the use of Indian culture without the understanding of it and sometimes get defensive. Like how some must have their "chai tea" (although saying "chai tea" literally means "tea tea") but don't know where it even comes from. Or how the yoga craze has swept Western culture and produced many self-proclaimed yogis, yet in translation the whole philosophy of this ancient practice was essentially lost? Or how about the "OM" symbols tattooed on many girls often on their feet (which is actually quite a desecrating place to put that religious symbol)? Not everyone has the opportunity, time or desire to travel to other countries or learn about other cultures. But this sub-culture is not about that. It is also not specific to India. The subculture belongs to all of those that have taken the time to experience and learn about other ways of living and now stand on the border. India-goers, like other cultural enthusiasts, make a noble attempt to try and understand the beauty of the culture the best they can. However, this makes them see their native culture in a new light and permanently changes their perspective.
A quote that has had great significance for me and seems quite relevant to the subject matter:
Box 2: Making the Ordinary Extraordinary
Using an outsider perspective to alter a common ritual
Several times a week I voluntarily subdue myself to physical pain. I make a point to assign time at least several days a week to do so. I begin by altering my appearance so if people see me they automatically know what I'm about to do. This uniform inform includes a loose shirt, pants or shorts specifically designed for this act of physical self-torture and finally a pair of shoes that are bulky and manufactured so as to make this act of pain easier to carry out. I start by stretching and pulling my limbs as if trying to snap my muscles and tendons in half. I pretend that my rubber band-like capabilities are greater than they actually are. Depending on the day, I may choose a different form of torture for what comes next. Frequently I decide to run even though I am in no hurry and have no destination. As I run my legs burn from being overworked, breathing is uncomfortable and hard to do and I am even becoming glossed with my own sticky sweat. Even so, I continue to run. Once I have pushed the limit of the pain I can tolerate, I decide it is time to pursue another method of self-inflicted agony. I decide to lift heavy things. I repeatedly lift awkwardly heavy objects in distinct motions until my muscles are on fire and my limbs slightly trembling. After I have caused myself an over-sufficient amount of pain, I once again revert back to contorting and stretching my limbs before I finish my ritual act of inflicting pain. It is difficult to subject myself to such pain continuously, but I am told if i do not I will be unhealthy.
Humans are unique from other living organisms in their ability to embody a conscious identity. This identity is often inherently defined by the larger culture we are from. While we may not have much control over the customs that are enculturated into our lives, we are actively choosing and participating in various subcultures. These subcultures help shape and define our beliefs, interests, mannerisms, personality and other social traits. These subcultures shape and define our identity.
Some of the subcultures to which I belong include:
The School of Dance: Like many of the arts, the School of Dance inhabits a small community of extremely individual, vocal (and perhaps dogmatic) artists. All the members share a common interest in dance but they all come from different backgrounds. Their backgrounds influence the subcultures within the School of Dance. Some of these include those that are strictly ballet dancers, modern dancers, competition dancers, choreographers, etc.,
The Preservation Department: I work as a preservation technician at the university repairing and preserving books and other materials from the library. More than just sharing the knowledge of the jargon or proudly pointing our work out when we see it in the library, there are many customs we have established. We use our acquired skills to make our own journals and we have a tradition of creatively baking/cooking every Friday for "Food Friday" (somewhat of a friendly competition).
India-goers: That is indeed a horrible title for a subculture but I know of no real name for it. There are a number of students, like myself, that have spent time in India. While we share a common experience, what is more relevant is how we see India playing out in popular culture nowadays and where we fit into between the two cultures. This is the subculture I would like to explore more for this post:
We have all been to India for different reasons and had very different experiences. There is no club or precise title for this subculture, either. However, this common interest ignites something spectacular. The excitement is anything but discreet and every rant ends with a "no matter how I try to explain India, people just don't understand!"
While these India-goers share the capability to suddenly come alive and bond with even the most opposite of people over this experience, what is interesting about this subculture is its position in limbo. No matter how much we know about India, how well we can get around in that chaos or how well we are accepted by other Indians, we will never be Indians nor is that the goal. Yet as Indian culture seems to have increasingly infiltrated American culture, we recognize the use of Indian culture without the understanding of it and sometimes get defensive. Like how some must have their "chai tea" (although saying "chai tea" literally means "tea tea") but don't know where it even comes from. Or how the yoga craze has swept Western culture and produced many self-proclaimed yogis, yet in translation the whole philosophy of this ancient practice was essentially lost? Or how about the "OM" symbols tattooed on many girls often on their feet (which is actually quite a desecrating place to put that religious symbol)? Not everyone has the opportunity, time or desire to travel to other countries or learn about other cultures. But this sub-culture is not about that. It is also not specific to India. The subculture belongs to all of those that have taken the time to experience and learn about other ways of living and now stand on the border. India-goers, like other cultural enthusiasts, make a noble attempt to try and understand the beauty of the culture the best they can. However, this makes them see their native culture in a new light and permanently changes their perspective.
A quote that has had great significance for me and seems quite relevant to the subject matter:
"Fish never know they are wet because they lack a contrast. Likewise people unfamiliar with other patterns of belief and behavior can never realize the particular nature of their own patterns and customs, nor can they surmount them. To the extent that we take our cultural patterns for granted, we are captives of them. Intellectual and personal freedom begins with an awareness that alternatives are possible."
-Douglas Raybeck
Box 2: Making the Ordinary Extraordinary
Using an outsider perspective to alter a common ritual
Several times a week I voluntarily subdue myself to physical pain. I make a point to assign time at least several days a week to do so. I begin by altering my appearance so if people see me they automatically know what I'm about to do. This uniform inform includes a loose shirt, pants or shorts specifically designed for this act of physical self-torture and finally a pair of shoes that are bulky and manufactured so as to make this act of pain easier to carry out. I start by stretching and pulling my limbs as if trying to snap my muscles and tendons in half. I pretend that my rubber band-like capabilities are greater than they actually are. Depending on the day, I may choose a different form of torture for what comes next. Frequently I decide to run even though I am in no hurry and have no destination. As I run my legs burn from being overworked, breathing is uncomfortable and hard to do and I am even becoming glossed with my own sticky sweat. Even so, I continue to run. Once I have pushed the limit of the pain I can tolerate, I decide it is time to pursue another method of self-inflicted agony. I decide to lift heavy things. I repeatedly lift awkwardly heavy objects in distinct motions until my muscles are on fire and my limbs slightly trembling. After I have caused myself an over-sufficient amount of pain, I once again revert back to contorting and stretching my limbs before I finish my ritual act of inflicting pain. It is difficult to subject myself to such pain continuously, but I am told if i do not I will be unhealthy.
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