What Makes A Nation

What does culture mean to you, what does it really mean? Does it mean national identity? Diversity in races? Ethnic foods and traditions or is it more at-home in meaning. The Canadian moose, for example, is that a symbol of Canadian culture? It could be but shouldn't there be more??

I remember years ago "celebrating diversity," was the "thing." Interestingly, it followed the being "politically correct," movement which believe it or not relates in terms of societal perceptions. Being respectful, overlapping acknowledgment of individual uniqueness, which I thought was pretty special.

Today, for some reason "cancel-culture," slowly started to make movements which in many ways sets us back. It means delineating the very thing we are trying to achieve which is acceptance, in a backward advance. We learn from history not to make the same mistakes again. This theory and social decisions or outcries seem to raise their head every couple decades or so. Until ultimately we are back to square one with the focus on that particular generation at that learning stage. (Hey, 40+ might just be a generation to pay attention to in terms of advice or direction).

Let's redefine culture

Yes, let's. It's our manner of being in what we do. What defines us on a national level. What creates our life so that we can. What gives us personal perspective and allows us to nurture what we are good at.

What we are missing and have been since the 1990's is a celebration of arts in the community and nationally. It has slowly diminished in importance. Just take a view of the national galleries the book industry and their primary focus on representation. Is it a broad spectrum? Different genres and styles are simply not always there. Are they being taught even?

This writing is not about politics or trade specifically but consider the times of abundance in our history when "Made in Canada," was something to be proud of, and gosh darn it there were many jobs. It's all the same thing. For any politician to pooh-pooh the notion as being from a different time or a snobbish, that doesn't matter the world has changed - that's my point. I am not saying go back in time. I am saying revive effectively. An Arts Revival + a Homegrown business rejuvenation could be an answer for an economy in danger. You don't have to be an Economist to show that there needs to be a variety in industries for production and work harmony.

I believe that Canada could invest more in cultural development for all Canadians. We are sadly lacking in representation in the Writing Industry, Arts, cross-section of movies, and television. These are all industries that can generate an enormous income. Think about it, we have five big publishers in North America. Do we encourage an illiterate culture in the future?

I know we are just coming out of a pandemic and we are supporting a war effort and I totally agree with that but we need culture to define the country, into the future, and for the education for children now. People in power need to plan for that now.

Every time we lose a traditional publishing house, a filmmaker in the making, a retail or regional art gallery, a small concert venue, a dance hall we are not only losing a part of ourselves and a massive amount of people's identities in the now, but we are also losing our future.

Sure we can blame the pandemic and the economy overall - but as we rejuvenate do we not have a reason to preserve culture. Does that not provide jobs in the hundreds of thousands of opportunities across our home and native land.

Let's Grow A Smart Society

The minute we lose creativity, we lose intelligence. We lose a broad spectrum of discoveries in learning. We lose a personality type that IS integral for the development of the economy and society. Intelligence comes in many forms it is not streamlined to one variety.

Carl Jung the imminent psychologist, once predicted the invention of the atomic bomb based on the predominance of a single personality type that would skew societal opinion to the point that people believe such a bomb was necessary. To have a balance of personality types means that different types of intelligence are spread evenly and therefore decisions on all levels are made differently and inherently address all perspectives.

Let's grow a smart society. Starting with the next generations. Let's advance their opportunities and begin a culture that we can be proud of and make people smarter. The experts are there, to show how to make literacy fun, the arts important and to raise children this way.

A Healthier Culture

What about the Age of Enlightenment, or the Renaissance. Did you know that having an aesthetically beautiful surrounding actually makes people more relaxed, stress-free, and therefore more productive! There are studies that say so and history also validates that point. Would that not be a useful investment in our futures, especially for the amount of money wasted on mental health programs that so far change very little in terms of health?

Not everyone is going to be a scientist, a mathematician, a biologist, a skilled tradesperson, mechanic and not everyone is going to be happy being so. Why not a fair spectrum of opportunities that everyone can aim for. People want to be happy at their work. It matters for a healthy cultural attitude and personal nurturance. When I worked as a career counselor for the government, the people that struck me the most were the ones that worked at jobs they were miserable at. I had grown men in tears thanking me for doing a personality profile for them that showed them their ideal career and why they weren't happy. This was life-changing for people. Some people don't have that luxury to choose? Let's make it so.

Back To The Point

Culture needs to be addressed as a viable point of understanding to enhance direction. To give people purpose. So they know what they want to do and there are opportunities to.

Do we want the arts to be elitist? Of course not. There is burgeoning talent everywhere that gets diluted or ignored in mainstream society. That's a start. The arts are a primary example of national and personal identity. Why not start there.

Artists - Writers - Photographers - Dancers - Musicians - Filmmakers - it's up to us. A creative revival in culture is needed. Arts Schools, Live performances large and small. The community supports each other with group efforts through arts groups. People getting the government to provide real grants where people can take their achievements and put them back into industry building and yes, sales. Get back to grassroots and grow, grow, grow. Let's define ourselves in the future by what we do now. It matters.

More of Lachapelle's work HERE and HERE