Culture 202

     As I sit back in my room having Conversations with the Silent Speaker, I recognize that my book of life is a reflection upon things that I have gone through—and that my chronology or Qur’an (as the Muslims say), is based upon my experiences—which serve as confirmations that this speaker has with my persons.  By no means, am I saying that this conversation with the speaker is a conversation with two entities—for I realize the intimacies here; I am writing and reading this book, at the same time: And my recording of such, is as a result of these reflections I have.  Also, I recognize that I can navigate as a result of these conversations; which are based upon future tense knowledge which I haven't lived yet--places I haven't been yet--and things I haven't seen yet; although they seem all so familiar. . .   Maybe it's because we are timeless beings visiting this planet to experience our said qualities or abilities, and that our essence is not isolated beings with various fixed egos; But a conglomerate—a singularity—experienced through an infinitude of forms; Which are suspended in different places in time (expressing various awarenesses), to broaden the singularity's overall perspective of the conglomerate or its' own Self. . .  That perspective would definitely explain our need for culture and our motivation behind civilized behavior. . .  But what do you think about that?

     Culture is what a people do.  It is just as simple as that.  Each group of people have various behavioral traits, and each people have certain cultural contributions to make towards the world's cultural scene.  That's what all these groups were designed for: Understanding this, is the true meaning of humanity, and using this and conducting one's activities with this awareness, is the root meaning of civilization—even the missionaries are aware of this point. . .  Obliterating culture is not the name of game, understanding incorporating what we acquire about the culture of others leads to Godliness. 

     Within cultural traits, are the values of its' people; the interests of its' people.  Culture reflects the people's level of development.  In America, when mainstream society is interested in something (or interested in wanting to know something), you find the press present at such a gathering; if they are not, there will no press coverage for that event: It is as simple as that.  You might as well say that the media belongs to the very rich in mainstream society: Patty Hearst, daughter of Randolph Apperson and Millicent Hearst—granddaughter of  Newspaper Tycoon William Randolph Hearst (and whom later became involved with/or a member of/the Symbionese Liberation Army).  William Hearst built the nation's largest newspaper conglomerate and created a flamboyant style of Yellow Journalism, which influenced the nation's popular media by emphasizing sensationalism and human interest stories, for example.  Media can educate the people through knowledge, information and awareness—or deceive the people through propaganda. 

     When the influential within mainstream society are not interested, you may invite the media to come to your affair, but they won't come.  The reason is, "Mainstream society is simply not interested."  Maybe those who own or run the press already know what they want to know about it, maybe they don't want to give your cause free press, or it clashes with their interests and their agenda. . .   Mainstream society interests and values are implied in American "TV programs," shows, plays and on the movie screen.  It is seen in social media—Facebook, talk-shows, newspapers, books and magazines.  It is heard on the radio and over the airways.  It is seen over celebrity shows, and lifestyles of the rich and famous.  What can or cannot be seen in America society, is regulated by the Federal Communication Committee—the FCC—for short.  The FCC regulates what is seen on TV, which reflect the value of this society and the American people: But who are the American people?  That's a question we forget to ask—most people assume and include themselves within that constituency, but you might find the answer shocking; But we'll discuss that later. . .  

     People often get the guarantees of the constitution mixed-up: They confuse freedom of speech mixed up with the ability to say what you want to say: If that were true, then why would anyone need to be "politically correct."  There is always a consequence of speaking out of turn in this country: Those of wealth, power, and influence over the media will simply label you, sue you for slander, investigate you, or their 'hip-pocket' critics will simply give you bad reviews.  So unless you belong to a group of people who don't care what the critics think, or don't believe in the press and media in this country, you won't survive the onslaught of the hounding and harsh criticism.  

   When you drive down the street, there are traffic lights and various signs with various shapes and colors, or color combinations and pattern—which signal to you procedures that you've already been taught respond to.  No matter where you are—in the United States or Germany—these traffic geometric shapes patterns and colors are understood.  This is a product of kindred societies and their influences.   This is a product of conditioning and training.  This is a product of books and education—and oft-times—indoctrination.  But essentially it is a product of culture.

     Just recently, America had an election for president.  In the constitution it says that the president will be elected by "the people."  The president to be, of the United States, will be Donald Trump.  Hillary Clinton was said to have led the popular vote, but Donald Trump will be president.  Shouldn't the popular vote of American people be enough to elect the president who will rule the people?  The answer is no, the Electoral College chooses the president.  Who are the Electoral College?  The Electoral College is a group of highly intelligent wealthy "people" of substantially power and influence that receives the votes of the popular people for each candidate.  It is said that these persons who represent the votes for each candidate, but when they vote they do not necessarily have to vote for the candidate in which they represent.  The justification of creating such a committee of "people" was that it was during a time in America when the average person was not politically informed enough to make such a political decision as electing a president; so the Electoral College was born.  So, obviously these "people," behind closed curtains—since Hillary won the popular vote, many in the Electoral College chose to vote for Donald.  And so, the "true people" have spoken—and they are not the popular people.  And don't forget, the Senate is composed of many rich people—and the rich with their corporations hold sway over the house, the Senate and the President himself. . .

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     One last thing; America is known as a multi-cultural society, with a dominant culture theme—representing freedom of choice; but the dominant culture is forged from the people whose ancestry is European [remember America was forged as an English colony].  Which means, although it is composed of several cultures and religions—aka, you have the right to choose your practice—that is, as long as it does not interfere with the precepts (laws) of America's dominant culture (a culture derived from the rich constituency of Western or European ancestry).  This practice extends back to the days of European Expansionism and Western colonization.  This is what gave us the domination of the Greeks, the Roman Empire, the British Empire—and the domination of the United States, the Allied Powers and the Soviet Union over the League of Nations.  Colonialism is defined as, "The policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country [and its' people], occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically."


       I've been up in Niagara, New York; I've seen the reservations up there for the Native Americans: To see the wealth in this country—to watch the brisk financial transactions on Madison Avenue—while experiencing the destitution of these reservations is deplorable; Not to say we are much better—none of us have our repatriation checks. . .  But to believe that the sons and daughters of colonists would make plans for the country and include and protect the best interests of its' former slave population—is like sitting at the breakfast table drinking a big glass of  Jim Jones Kool-aid.

     The Civil Rights Movement's, March on Washington, included a multi-cultural group of religious and various other types of supporters to the Black cause, looking for social Justice, empowerment, and economic advancement.  Instead, they got Affirmative Action legislation, promises (like the treaties with the Natives), and jobs.  Fast forward these things, and fifty years later, the historical March on Washington includes various other people and cultures, in an amalgamated plethora of conflictual political agendas; which includes alternative lifestyles, support for various ethnic causes besides their own, and asking for more jobs from mainstream society, instead of seeking assistance in order to create our own jobs through self-help: The ancestors of the European immigrants teach their children to create or eventually take over a company, while we raise our children to go solicit or fetch a job and wonder why we continue to be treated like mongrels (dogs).  Reminds me of the scene in the movie, Miller's Crossing, when the mob leader, Leo O'Bannion said to Johnny Casper: Johnny, you're exactly as big as I let you be, and no bigger, and don't forget it, ever.  Two instrumental things my beloved old-heads once said to me: If you are going to work or follow someone, then follow to learn how to lead—and—I'm not begging and crying, I'm betting and buying.  Words I have lived by ever since Word to my folks who are striving to change things; "Make your own help, you need it" [ The Last Poets].

 Do for Self—don't wait for (or on) others. . .


Thank you for all your considerations,

(I truly do appreciate you all greatly). . .

C. Be'er la Hai-roi Myers 

Peace