Something About Being Different

What’s the difference?

There is something about growing up from a cultural heritage different to the one that is the majority of the area. There is something about that which marks one out as not belonging and so engaging in what it is that makes them different. Exploring the family heritage and noticing how that contrasts with the culture around you. Figuring out how to make your way in that world. It’s a challenge.

There can be a tendency to want to stand out in aligning yourself with the family culture as a defiant statement against the majority culture. As though there’s a proud determination not to be changed or influenced at all. As though the majority culture is inferior to the family culture.

There can be a tendency to adapt to the majority culture. They are the majority for a reason. Their engagement with the family culture is not one of compromise or even assimilation. It is more a tolerant acceptance on the understanding that only one culture rules in the vicinity and others only exist in deference. Under those circumstances, it appears to make more sense to fit in with the ones in real power. Whose to say if you make enough of an effort not only will you be accepted, you might even thrive more in that culture than the smaller and less significant family culture.

And yet there is supposed to be something about being different – especially when you come across news that takes you from one life to a completely new one. It’s not a matter of imposing or being imperial. It’s not a matter of accommodating and compromising. It’s about understanding what it is to be different …

(Photo by Rupert Britton on Unsplash)

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden