The problem with default
Well, I'm sick again.
Full blown, sick.
There had been a dry-patch in my throat for a couple of weeks now- ever since I was getting over the old Flu. Turns out, it was a breeding ground for a NEW Flu to come on in!
Lucky me.
However, this isn't the point of my post. Today I want to re-hash a topic that comes up constantly in my on-going life studies: When people think they know something by the matter of "default".
Let me explain:
All too often, when I was venturing to learn specific First Nations cultures in the last ten years, you come across someone who claims to know a cultural topic based on the fact that their grandmother/parent/distant relative was Native. They themselves are not within the community, they themselves do not speak the language or ever have been in contact with the culture- but they know simply as a matter of the fact that they are of [a very minor] ethnic origin.
Then, I came across version two of the above; those who ARE of a specific origin, and living within their ethnicity, and yet without the proper schooling claim to know and perpetuate really false concepts for the sole purpose of personal validation and popularity.
This post is about the latter.
In the last 6 months, I have had the pleasure of being tutored in a "new" culture that I had little understanding before. This came as a direct result from me working in First Nations community; when hosting workshops and presentations, you often come into contact of other non-community members seeking cultural knowledge. These "Culture goers" are very important to me because, like myself, they don't believe that their ethnic origin is the "one and only". Their religions their cultures, their way of life is only a fraction of the grand scheme of things. THESE are the people we LOVE to teach. The people that have the capacity to step outside themselves.
It just so happened that at the end of last year, a fellow of high education and cultural discipline wanted to become more knowledgeable in the ways of the local First Nations. He's a foreigner who has lived in Canada many years- rearing his children here and all. So even though I had told him he would be better seeking out an Elder that was an authority on many things of their culture, a surprising turn of events; two Elders wanted me to teach him instead. Flattered? I dunno. At first I didn't want MORE responsibility... as is, part time job, personal project, commissions, and more outside obligations didn't allow for a lot of free time to spare. However I admit that I was taken with the prospect of learning something of his Ethnic Origin as well. I also admit that he did a good job of wrangling me in- all this happened over the course of at least 2 weeks, where he was casually drawing parallels from little concepts I was talking about, to some from his ethnic origin.
I agreed, but on my own terms- it had to be when I could arrange time during the week, and it wouldn't be on a steady basis.
Fast forward a few months and everything is delightful. He's a great old dude that teaches me with the same gusto as I teach him. Slowly- as with the First Nation culture- I have been pursuing a lot of the cultural studies on my own time, taking the time to come into contact with other educated people from the same origin, and even planning an excursion that would lead me a year or two overseas to live within the local of said ethnicity.
So what's the problem?
Lately I have begun to notice the same phenomena that had [and has] plagued me with the First Nations culture. Too many wikipedia scholars and "I read a book" folks are spouting self concocted concepts, and rallying others to believe in the same. I realize on the grand scheme of things, this means VERY little... and something I'm probably blowing more steam over than necessary. Thing is, it bothers me to no end.
One girl- of relatively the same ethnic origin and my Teacher- is quite popular in different fandoms online, has taken to "educate" people with her art... drawing her own fantasies and concoctions and then "teaching" about their origins; that are largely false, or misconstrued. She does not have any academic education in the matter, and whatever she does know comes from the day-to-day life of contact with some people who might have heard a story, or related a concept to her. She is of said ethnicity, and there for has some knowledge that is ingrained in the day-to-day life and stories one learns as a child growing up.
Sadly, because this culture is also highly capitalized in the media, and seems to be a favorite venue of many a person who also is fury, things are quickly spiraling out of control; VERY few actually KNOW what they are talking about.
I've taken it up with my Teacher... always running tings by him that I've seen. The answer is always an explanation of how or why things got to be understood that way, however they are far from the truth. People are talking artistic liberties with facts, and leaving the gaping spaces for artistic liberty barren.
So now, the final point;
Many times I am conflicted in how to handle these folks. Don't get me wrong, I'm not one to come in guns a-blazing and shooting people down; more often than not I just let people believe what they want to. However, when they come on MY turf [webpages, leave comments] or begin to criticize my understanding, I am left in a bind. Site whatever fact and artifact, professional paper or citation and you get the same; "I'm [insert ethnicity], it's my culture, I know this better."
These people think that because they are default said ethnicity, it just graces them with this knowledge- unschooled or unfounded- as correct and accurate. Even thought I have had teachers, I need to have credentials to be "right". Even if I do have credentials it doesn't matter; at the end of the day I am not said ethnicity so what I have to say remains false no matter what.
I counter this with a simple thought; For the fact that I was born Jewish, doesn't mean I am born a Rabbi.
Culture and traditions are equally things of scholarly knowledge and application. Just like any knowledge and application, the amount of time you spend doing it, studying it, and applying it, will be the certification to which degree you can consider your opinion "Accurate" or "Inaccurate".
So ultimately, there isn't thing I can do. Simply, go about my own way and hope that these folks don't start a banter with myself. It's hard because my up-coming project is riddled in cultural concepts... and I'll have to fend off all those who consider themselves "authorities" on the subject.
Full blown, sick.
There had been a dry-patch in my throat for a couple of weeks now- ever since I was getting over the old Flu. Turns out, it was a breeding ground for a NEW Flu to come on in!
Lucky me.
However, this isn't the point of my post. Today I want to re-hash a topic that comes up constantly in my on-going life studies: When people think they know something by the matter of "default".
Let me explain:
All too often, when I was venturing to learn specific First Nations cultures in the last ten years, you come across someone who claims to know a cultural topic based on the fact that their grandmother/parent/distant relative was Native. They themselves are not within the community, they themselves do not speak the language or ever have been in contact with the culture- but they know simply as a matter of the fact that they are of [a very minor] ethnic origin.
Then, I came across version two of the above; those who ARE of a specific origin, and living within their ethnicity, and yet without the proper schooling claim to know and perpetuate really false concepts for the sole purpose of personal validation and popularity.
This post is about the latter.
In the last 6 months, I have had the pleasure of being tutored in a "new" culture that I had little understanding before. This came as a direct result from me working in First Nations community; when hosting workshops and presentations, you often come into contact of other non-community members seeking cultural knowledge. These "Culture goers" are very important to me because, like myself, they don't believe that their ethnic origin is the "one and only". Their religions their cultures, their way of life is only a fraction of the grand scheme of things. THESE are the people we LOVE to teach. The people that have the capacity to step outside themselves.
It just so happened that at the end of last year, a fellow of high education and cultural discipline wanted to become more knowledgeable in the ways of the local First Nations. He's a foreigner who has lived in Canada many years- rearing his children here and all. So even though I had told him he would be better seeking out an Elder that was an authority on many things of their culture, a surprising turn of events; two Elders wanted me to teach him instead. Flattered? I dunno. At first I didn't want MORE responsibility... as is, part time job, personal project, commissions, and more outside obligations didn't allow for a lot of free time to spare. However I admit that I was taken with the prospect of learning something of his Ethnic Origin as well. I also admit that he did a good job of wrangling me in- all this happened over the course of at least 2 weeks, where he was casually drawing parallels from little concepts I was talking about, to some from his ethnic origin.
I agreed, but on my own terms- it had to be when I could arrange time during the week, and it wouldn't be on a steady basis.
Fast forward a few months and everything is delightful. He's a great old dude that teaches me with the same gusto as I teach him. Slowly- as with the First Nation culture- I have been pursuing a lot of the cultural studies on my own time, taking the time to come into contact with other educated people from the same origin, and even planning an excursion that would lead me a year or two overseas to live within the local of said ethnicity.
So what's the problem?
Lately I have begun to notice the same phenomena that had [and has] plagued me with the First Nations culture. Too many wikipedia scholars and "I read a book" folks are spouting self concocted concepts, and rallying others to believe in the same. I realize on the grand scheme of things, this means VERY little... and something I'm probably blowing more steam over than necessary. Thing is, it bothers me to no end.
One girl- of relatively the same ethnic origin and my Teacher- is quite popular in different fandoms online, has taken to "educate" people with her art... drawing her own fantasies and concoctions and then "teaching" about their origins; that are largely false, or misconstrued. She does not have any academic education in the matter, and whatever she does know comes from the day-to-day life of contact with some people who might have heard a story, or related a concept to her. She is of said ethnicity, and there for has some knowledge that is ingrained in the day-to-day life and stories one learns as a child growing up.
Sadly, because this culture is also highly capitalized in the media, and seems to be a favorite venue of many a person who also is fury, things are quickly spiraling out of control; VERY few actually KNOW what they are talking about.
I've taken it up with my Teacher... always running tings by him that I've seen. The answer is always an explanation of how or why things got to be understood that way, however they are far from the truth. People are talking artistic liberties with facts, and leaving the gaping spaces for artistic liberty barren.
So now, the final point;
Many times I am conflicted in how to handle these folks. Don't get me wrong, I'm not one to come in guns a-blazing and shooting people down; more often than not I just let people believe what they want to. However, when they come on MY turf [webpages, leave comments] or begin to criticize my understanding, I am left in a bind. Site whatever fact and artifact, professional paper or citation and you get the same; "I'm [insert ethnicity], it's my culture, I know this better."
These people think that because they are default said ethnicity, it just graces them with this knowledge- unschooled or unfounded- as correct and accurate. Even thought I have had teachers, I need to have credentials to be "right". Even if I do have credentials it doesn't matter; at the end of the day I am not said ethnicity so what I have to say remains false no matter what.
I counter this with a simple thought; For the fact that I was born Jewish, doesn't mean I am born a Rabbi.
Culture and traditions are equally things of scholarly knowledge and application. Just like any knowledge and application, the amount of time you spend doing it, studying it, and applying it, will be the certification to which degree you can consider your opinion "Accurate" or "Inaccurate".
So ultimately, there isn't thing I can do. Simply, go about my own way and hope that these folks don't start a banter with myself. It's hard because my up-coming project is riddled in cultural concepts... and I'll have to fend off all those who consider themselves "authorities" on the subject.