They say, “The beauty of a community is based on the vastness of its cultural concerns. (Gloria and Michael, l27) Diverse culture is the epitome of a strong chain that binds the beliefs of people who are not necessarily bound by blood. It is from a culture that one is identified. In this sense, culture is the main source of the strong sense of belonging which unites the members of a particular society. Proponents of philosophers agree that culture is what identifies people of a particular lineage. Regardless of differences in racial and ethnic backgrounds, similarity in culture clearly bonds these individuals past their physical differences (Ramsey and Robert, 87).
Cultural diversity
Cultural diversity is a topic which is wide in its sense. It provides the basic rationales on why there are different ideas about certain aspects present in the existence of human beings. In this context, cultural diversities include the number of differing opinions regarding to matters which affect the globe as a whole. Cultural diversities include the differences which exist in the universe. Some of these differences may include perceptions to particular religion, political issues, perceptions to sexuality and gender and other matters which affect the modern day world.
From this sense, the existence of cultural diversities opposes the sense of monoculture. It also demeans the sense of homogenization of culture and uplifts the beauty which comes about with diverse cultural perceptions (Ramsey and Robert, 87). As seen from various works of art; music, books and films, culture talks a lot about a certain society. It differs from one society to another. It polarizes the importance of appreciating vast differences that exist in day to day lives. Hence, it is from diversities which exist in cultural that we are able to understand how peoples’ perceptions are (Ramsey and Robert, 87).
Gender and sexuality
The globe is made up of different societies. Each of these societies appreciates the impact of sexuality and gender differences which are present. However, the perceptions about gender and sexuality are not homogenized. Each community perceives a particular gender differently from the other. From Fun Home by Alison Bechdel, the issue of sexuality and gender is vivid. Each community is accustomed to its own thinking regarding to concerns raised about the gender differences which exist globally. In this sense, gender is either perceived to be male or female.
These distinctions create a valley which clearly paints a range of differences that separates them (the genders). From this point of view, males and females are treated differently based on their cultural heritage (Ramsey and Robert, 87). Before the emancipation of females took charge in the modern world, the female gender was perceived to be lesser than the male gender. However, since some communities have strongly held on to their authenticity in terms of cultural beliefs, the female gender is never treated equal to the male gender.
For example, Fun Home, exhibits a man as the one who is capable of restoring a family. In this case, a man is perceived to be the one who is enrolled with the responsibility of ensuring that the family unit is strongly bound to its members. This is clear from the picture created in the memoir whereby, Bruce Bechdel is obsessed with restoring his family. Hence, a man is the only who is viewed to have such high capabilities. Similar to most cultures, a man is the one who is crowned with sole role of being the leader. In this sense, a female is viewed to be a weak figure.
The power and authority vested in a man by most cultures can never be tantamount to a woman’s. An example is the Indian Culture which shows the importance and the value of a man. This is seen whereby, in betrothal ceremonies, a female has the role of “buying” her bride through paying his dowry. Regardless of numerous efforts put in by organizations top uplift the female gender, the male gender has always reigned on (Ramsey and Robert, 87). This a vivid reason as to why, most nationalities are ruled by males. It does not mean that then female gender cannot rule effectively but the cultural perceptions are deeply rooted on the mentality that having a female leader demeans the meaning of the male gender in the specialty.
More so, the issue of sexuality and gender orientation is an issue of concern when it comes to cultural diversities. Most cultures applaud the male female marriages. However, there have been instances whereby there are cases of homosexuality. As seen from Fun Home , there is a focus on how homosexuality has spread. For example Bruce Bechdel is seen to be a homosexual. According to the western culture, homosexuality is not perceived with to be extremely gross as it is in some other cultures. For example, those perceived to be homosexuals are regarded to the black sheep of the community.
They are usually deemed to be the cursed and outcasts of the society. This is mainly based on the cultural beliefs that a man is only allowed to marry a female for procreation reasons. Hence, lesbians and homosexuals are regarded to have no rights of being equivocal to the others. For example, the grossness and prejudice associated to homosexuals has led to a number judicial concern. Hereby, the homosexuals have always been considered to be among the minorities in the societies. Hence, complains have been raised in several nationalities to legalize homosexuality in these nations.
Some countries have amended the laws granting full rights to the homosexuals to have their own sexual identities. However, other nations have remained to be deeply rooted to their beliefs and cultural norms. These nations have remained adamant and denied the issue of working by the book and opted to ban homosexuality by all means and ways. These nations which are not guided by the rules of culture have gone forward asking the adamant nations to grant equal rights to those who have different sexual orientations.
As seen from the book, Bechdel suffered the struggle of explaining her sexual identities. It is also clear, that the issue of masturbation as exhibited by the book is cultural concern which is not applauded by most cultural heritages. Hence, in her struggle, the prejudice and perceptions posed on individuals with different sexual feelings is the main challenge which is caused by cultural diversities.
This sort of shame explains why the author’s father hid his sexuality. In a broader context, the sense of being judged based on your sexual identity is what has discouraged a number of changes in the cultural beliefs. The strength of a culture is higher than that of the law (Wong and David, 67). It means, even if a certain practice is approved by the law a culture can still consider it as a vice which should not be practiced in the society.
Death
Death is also societal issue which is understood differently by different societies. Mostly, death is viewed from a religious perspective. Herein, each culture has a specific belief. The belief can be in a Supreme Being or a particular act of nature. When death strikes, it is usually considered natural (Wong and David, 67). However, different causes of deaths are explained differently based on the nature of the cultural attachments associated to the cause of death. For example, when death is experienced at old age, it is usually deemed to be natural and an act of the Supreme Being (Wong and David, 67).
However, most accidental young deaths are considered to be a form of warning or message or a form of punishment from the Supreme Being. However, there are deaths which are seen to be mysterious. For example, suicidal deaths are perceived differently by different culture. Some culture will associate suicidal deaths to be form of a spirit which attacks a particular person. The sacredness of death is clear in most cultures. It is explained to be a rite of passage which all and sundry must experiences at some point in life.
Its sacredness explains why its seen as a form of ceremony which must be attended by all members of the community in question. However, the ceremony is always associated with sad emotions since it depicts a loss to the members of the society. From the demise of Bruce Bechdel, it created a pool of misery for the author (Gloria and Michael, l27). This is due to the mystery associated with death of her father. The mystery is base d on the fact that Bruce’s death was one which was connected to suicide (Gloria and Michael, l27). Suicide would be due to his homosexual discretions and the pressure brought about by his unexpected divorce from his wife.
In cases where death is deemed natural, different cultures have a way of reacting to death of a member of the community. Some cultures mourn while others view it as a work of god which should be accompanied with joy. As seen from Fun Home, the protagonist reaction to the death of her father was unexpected. It is explained in a manner which shows that her growing up environment which was mainly the funeral home was the reason why she reacted the way she did (Gloria and Michael, l27). This is a clear picture that the culture which an individual is brought up in has an effect on how one perceives death. The funeral home had created a constant feeling and reaction to death.
Conclusion
Fun Home is a book which shows how cultural diversities are present in the global society. Main aspects of a culture are explained within the book. Conclusively, cultural diversities is what creates the reason for societal integrity and unification of beliefs. In this sense, cultural diversities help all and sundry to understand the importance of appreciating other cultures. It creates a tranquil environment for existence and cooperation. Cultural diversities have also instilled into people the importance of standing with the cultural heritages present in the globe. Cultural heritage are important in ensuring that cultural decay is eschewed. The importance Cultural decay is what leads to decadence of important cultural practices which should not in any way be defaced from the day to day existence of human beings.
Works Cited
Gloria, Michael “ The Case of Fun Home.” Playbill. New York, 2013. p.13-144
Hacker, Violain. “ Building and Promoting a Community.” Community and Globalization. Slovackia, 2011. P12.
Khai. Coolitude: An Anthology of the Indian Labor Diaspora. Anthem Press. 2012.
Ramsey " Robert. The Cultural Diversisties. Princeton, New Jersey; Princeton University Press 2012. pp.87
Star, Amory. New Political Science. University of Sydney Press. 2013
Wong, David. The Stanford encyclopedia of philosophy. Metaphysics Research Lab, Stanford University (2017). Pp67.
