American Diversity

    Recent events and experiences has caused me to ponder the cultural diversities I've experienced in America. I have been very blessed to have traveled through parts of America but even more blessed to be able to recognize the differences in the history and cultures of us, The American People. As I think about American diversity we could discuss economic or religious diversity but to keep this within blog context instead of a full fleged SA paper we'll limit it to the obvious, social diversity.
    While in the Military, I was driving thru the countryside with a friend from New York City. All of a sudden he begins to say "stop, stop, stop, what is that? Is that a cow?" That comment may seem a little strange to most of us but You see, Tony had never been outside of the city and a cow was something he had only seen in pictures or TV. Tony's life, culture and experience was limited to the Big City, joining the military was his only way to escape and see the world around him. Tony was 19 years old and his life was defined by the inner city culture. Many of us can not imagine that life style. While in downtown Chicago I met people who lived in High Rise condos, these people lived downtown, worked downtown, and played downtown. They didn't even own a car to escape downtown Chicago. Leaving the walls of the city would no doubt have been frightening and confusing. So you see, the City has created its own culture and value system, that value system works only in the city and surrounding metropolitan areas.
    Now imagine experiencing the culture and value system of  another part of America, Alaska. Totally different. In Alaska, for some it's all about self reliance, and self preservation. It's about wilderness, natural resources, and wild life management. Even in the big city, Anchorage, it's not about the city, it's about experiencing the outdoors and all it has to offer. For these Americans, they, can't imagine any other life style or value system. The culture and value system of Alaskans is strange and odd to some but it is not unique, it is, part of America.
   Yesterday I visited a hunting camp, a gathering of families with a variety of camping gear, preparing for a hunting trip into the surrounding mountains. The hunting trip into the mountains was the catalyst for the camp but, certainly not the main ingredient. The true definition of this camp was all about family and friends gathering together to celebrate who they were. Young and old gather around a fire in the evening to eat and enjoy each others company and friendship.  Looking around there were no fancy cars or elaborate motorhomes, no video games or TVs, no texting or telephones, it was people actually looking into each others eyes and talking to each other, each expressing true interest in each others world. It was all about family and friends. Once again a different culture and value system within this America.
   We are no doubt a unique Nation. Across this Nation cultures and value systems are different, most are satisified and content with where they are, the real test for each of us is whether we can learn to accept others for who they are, whether we understand it or not.
   Below, pictures of a family hunting camp. Have a great day and enjoy.