The Rise And Fall of Civilizations
Over the years our family has traveled across the country. I’m amused at times at how very different geographically defining our culture is. In my area of this vast planet we have a lot of watermen, which has created a distinctive dialect, much like you might find down in the bayous of Louisiana. There are word differences, varying social habits, diverse music, arts and folklore traditions and food distinctions that set areas apart. Add to this, unique accents and we have quite the mix of cultures. People sometimes can actually tell where you are from by the accent you use, or words you say.
Areas in the North ask if they can put your items in a “sack.” Where I come from it’s called a “bag,” and a pop is offered rather than a soda. In another part of the country a grandmother is often known as “Mom Mom” and grandfather as “Pop Pop,” while other areas are Grandma and Grandpa, Mimi and Poppa. Aunt and Uncle are used for respect when talking about close friends and children, or the term “Miss or Mr.” is placed in front of a woman or man’s name.
Some years ago a friend of ours passed away and I made the phone call to another friend down south who had worked with my friend years before. Her husband answered the phone, so I made the polite request, “Could I speak with Miss Janie, please?” I heard the husband as he handed his wife the phone say, “I don’t know who it is, but she called you Miss Janie. It must be someone from Maryland!”
Many cultures have come together in a blend, unique to the area, which creates its peculiar culture. None is better or worse than the other, they just are. It’s what makes our country so interesting! When there is a rich mix of different cultures there is so much to share; so much to learn! The Europeans learned much from the Native Americans. As other cultures blended with these from all over the world, we are enriched as we are influenced by each other’s traditions.
If we have so much to offer each other, why do civilizations rise and then fall? The Mayan culture was rich, yet it went into decline and fell. The Roman empire held great importance, yet it too, failed and fell. It is said civilizations grow and then decline, some more rapidly than others. Sometimes war, drought, economic failure, epidemics, natural disasters, or any combination of these could be the beginning…..of the end for an empire. Sometimes political issues can cause a country to lose its greatness to the point of being regarded with disgust rather than pride.
What about the American empire? We are rich is music, art, cuisine, traditions which have blended together to make a great country. One thing is certain: given the current state of affairs, our world is dramatically changing! Will we also fall? Do you see our country as in decline or moving forward? Are we proud of what our culture stands for? Do those areas where we are rich, negate where we fall short? Are we headed as a country, or people, for collapse?