Fresno City College is a melting pot of culture and faith. Whether one is a Buddhist or atheist, there is a place for everyone. That being said, there is a lack openness and acceptance for all faiths in our community.
We often think that by nodding and smiling when confronted with new cultures that we are being tolerant. Tolerance is more than cordiality and as a community we need to move toward tolerance.
Sometimes I get questions about what some of my tattoos mean and when I say that they are of religious background people seem to jump back in shock. They do not understand why I have the beliefs I do or why I got that tattoo. It’s a difference in understanding.
I do not mean to say that there is an ample amount of persecution on this campus but I’ve noticed that people make assumptions too easily. It was in my Anthropology class that I first noticed this tragedy.
My instructor was giving a lecture on the history of Anthropology and how judgmental people can be. She talked about the use of the word “barbaric” and “primitive.” Who are we to make that distinction?
In Anthropology 13: Magic, Witchcraft and Religion, we study how various cultures apply the aspect of faith to their practices. While some might believe that the idea of such a class is a frivolous waste of time, there are those that believe it to be an opportunity to learn and understand others.
This class teaches students to first understand themselves before attempting to understand others and their faith.
What is it that makes certain discoveries odd to us? What is so normal about us that makes the slightest difference in viewpoint an anomaly? These are questions that we all must ask ourselves before we attempt to understand the ways of others.
“You study what is happening to others by understanding yourself,” said Barbara Myerhoff in her documentary “In Her Own Time.”
This perspective is primarily that of an anthropologist, but are we not all anthropologists in one way or another? Every one of us has engaged in “people watching” at least once in our lives and we have all judged one another.
There is an intrinsic value in learning from other cultures and faiths. Some might be so set in their own faith that all others seem like blasphemy but all life is learning. My own experiences have taught me as much.
My father is Catholic and my mother, whom was raised Catholic, is Wiccan. I went to church as a child and went to a private Catholic high school. However, learning from my mother’s faith taught me how to appreciate the world around me.
Her Wiccan faith taught me to appreciate the Earth and all that it gives to us while the Catholic background of my family taught me the virtues of man. There is nothing wrong with bringing the best of both faiths together to create a new understanding of the world around us.
It does not have to necessarily be Catholicism and Wicca. You don’t even have to mix two faiths. It is just important that everyone understand that there are other faiths around that make sense to different people. Not one of them is out of place or “crazy.”
“Crazy” is just a word we apply to things that we don’t understand. Personally, I would rather attempt to understand something than blindly criticize it.
I urge everyone to become an anthropologist of sorts and just get to know those around them. Instead of shrinking back from a different culture or religion take the time to look into it. Do some research or even head to a gathering for that culture or religion to take it in with your own eyes. Immersion is the best way to get a grasp of what you intend to understand.
Be open and embrace the possibility and beauty of diversity in your neighbors. Give everything a chance and a chance to be viewed with an open mind. For it is with an open mind that we achieve understanding.
