Being a Victim of Your Culture
"If you see in any given situation only what everybody else can see, you
can be said to be so much a representative of your culture that you are
a victim of it."
S. I. Hayakawa
University President
U.S. Senator, California
August, 1995 (the year after apartheid ended), Johannesburg, South Africa
Sunday morning of the More
To Life Weekend – Participants: 90% white, 10% black
A white man stands up, takes the microphone, and says,
"I'm angry! I'm angry that I have been told the same lie by my family, my
education system, my church, my peers. I have believed all my life that blacks
are not as human as we are. This weekend, I have found that they are JUST LIKE
me – they have dreams and anxieties – they love their families the way I love
mine -they have feelings just like mine. They are the same as me, except a
different color. I can't believe I'm 32 and didn't know the truth." And
with tears flowing down his face, he turned around and talked to the black
men/women, apologizing, asking for forgiveness for his transgressions. Then one
of the black participants acknowledged his culture's distorted view of whites.
There was not a dry eye in the room.
One person's awakening awakened others and healed a lot of hearts that morning.
September, 2008, Mexico City, Mexico
One-to-one Interviews
From a few men and women:
"There is a point where women have to choose – either have a family or
have a career. A woman can't do both."
(Even though there is observable data to the contrary –
alive and well in their midst.)
