Environment, culture, and perspective.

Black or white. Beautiful or ugly. Skinny or fat. Right or wrong? I find this idea of perspective sometimes quite interesting. Culture has an immense affect on one's beliefs, judgements, ideas, and most importantly perspective. Say if I were to grow up in Việt Nam, then my outlook in life would not parallel the ones that I possess right now.

As an example, in Việt Nam, this idea of skin colour is a much thought about idea. Throughout the country, you will see people, mostly women, outside covered up as if they are allergic to the sunlight. White skin is valued and desired. In the States, one is able to see businesses with names such as, "Sun Palace Tan", "UV Ray Tan", or "Skin Cancer Tan" in every town, suburb, or city.

These differences are due to the distinctiveness of each culture. Can we say that one is right or wrong? Probably not. But with these cultural differences shaping our perspectives and beliefs gives rise to conflict and disagreements. One side believes the other is wrong, and the other, likewise. Often times when individuals, or even groups of people have a certain view on a certain situation, other perspectives are not even considered. They argue one way, and one way only. It is as if no other view can ever be right. How could it be? It does not coincide with my own view! This idea does not only apply to the differences in cultures between the States and Việt Nam or say, Ghana, but even within the states as well. On a political level, both right and left wing politicians and followers seem to fall into this mold of perspective. It is hard for me to even pick a side, although I do lean to a certain way, but I view that those to the extreme ends of both spectrum rarely attempt to understand their opponents way of thinking, and why they may think that way.

What I am trying to spit out is that for me personally, I find it important to try to understand other perspectives on whatever the issue may be--whether or not Durian really tastes like meat, or if views of me being metrosexual may be true. Everyone on this globe is influenced by a different environment, a different culture, which shapes the thoughts formulated within our head. There many be individuals who agree with one another on certain issues, and some not, but to understand how these thoughts have come to be may be helpful to understand differences and can also be quite interesting at the same time.

hạc.