Eric Trujillo

3011160

Short paper 1

It’s a natural tendency within all social groups to be wary of outsiders. Professor Pyron
explained that even Americans in the civil war were wary of one another; the main difference
between many was their location. It is a defense mechanism to be cautious of people that are
different. The Forest People showed that many of the natives were initially defensive against the
incoming scientist but over time he gained their trust. When it involves two different cultures,
size does matter. The majority often hold control over what customs stay and go. The incoming
cultures often have to slowly transition into, and merge with the existing society to continue.
Take Miami for example. The cultural melting pot is always being added to with people
constantly coming and going. With the rise of Cuban immigration in the late 60's, the Hispanic
culture was being thrown on top of the already established American culture. Today, nearly 50
years later, there are still areas of culture clash, but for the most part there has been a blending
together. The most noticeable blend is in the traditions. Many Cuban Americans will celebrate
different holidays under different cultures, American traditions during one, Cuban traditions
during another. For example, many Cuban Americans support an American tradition of a turkey
thanksgiving but hold a Cuban tradition of roast pig for Christmas dinner. Two cultures cannot
combine together and to completely separate, but through merging the alien with the native, two
distinct cultures can learn to live together.

The initial approach to an alien culture is with hesitation from both the natives and the
outsiders. There are many things that may seem outlandish, worship to the sound of a metal pipe,
or the idea of living outside of a forest. However by living together and venturing into both
societies, each group can learn and understand one another. When an understanding is not
reached, there can be horrible effects. Native Americans exemplify the lack of understanding by
Americans. Rather than finding a mutual understanding, Native Americans were exploited.
America unfortunately wasn’t founded in understanding and coexistence, but in war and
bloodshed. The enslavement of Africans and the exploitative colonization of the continent are
other examples of the horrors of cultures clashing rather than melding.

Some cultures enforce against the meld. As the communist manifesto and professor
Garrote explained. Communist belief needs to wipe out all other influences to truly work. This is
also one of the many reasons communism failed to spread. An alien culture must be slow and
compromising. A willingness to blend with native cultures is the only way an alien culture can
stay. By withholding cultural beliefs, fear of the alien culture spreads. Without proper
understanding, people can draw the wrong conclusions and thus, wrong actions. By enforcing an
alien culture, society will fight back. The natural instinct to be wary of strange cultures is only
multiplied when there is a feeling of aggression. The more open and understanding a culture is
the more available it becomes to being adopted into society. Anything that tries to exclude itself
only furthers the fear and aggression towards it.

As the Forest People proves, communication is key. By explaining and teaching, cultural
practices can be understood by outsiders. As Kenge and the other natives explained their culture
to Turnbull, he showed them some of his. By the time Turnbull had been living with the pygmies,
they had already begun to meld with some nearby cultures. The Nkumbi is an African custom
which the pygmies had adopted certain aspects from. These pygmies had also begun to use
African tools and adopted some of their methods for cutting down trees. Funeral services are a
pure hybrid for the pygmies. The Africans hold the service and feast as pygmies attend and pay
respects to the deceased in their own tradition. By a peaceful, slow and open establishment
between the natives and the Africans, there had been a peaceful coexistence. The book shows a
society with several alien cultures that are coming, and how they manage to live together. Social
change takes time as elders hold a stronger control and a more traditional feeling. The pygmies
Elima, a female rite of passage, adopted the grass skirts used in the Nkumbi. The general
population didn't care as much as the village elders. Just like in other society the youth are often
more open and willing to accept change. As time goes on, each generation begins to adopt more
and more from alien cultures.

To conclude, society naturally approaches alien culture with fear and hesitation. If the
alien culture is open, understanding and compromising; society will be more apt to meld and
blend. If the alien society is reclusive or aggressive, the lack of understanding can lead to more
hostile responses. The youth of a society are often the first to begin to adopt and meld an alien
culture and over time more and more of the alien culture becomes accepted. Elders and more
traditional members of a society will take time to adopt new cultures but are not necessarily
against it. Society needs time to understand and accept the incoming culture. As professor Bailey
has shown, within a society, the individuals are all in their own stages of life. Those that are more
accepting will help alien cultures more than the more rebellious ones. It is through the
similarities in religion, family and honor that all cultures can find common ground. Through time
and understanding more and more can be melded and a peaceful coexistence can be attained.

The alien culture must realize this and approach accordingly. Hostility and exclusivity
only frighten native cultures. Only an informative and open environment can maintain a peaceful
coexistence. Communication of beliefs and mutual understandings can help maintain a peaceful
balance. Although it is natural for all creatures to be hesitant and even fearful of alien groups,
what makes humans rise above the rest is the ability to understand and accept one another.
Patience is necessary as cultures often need time in order to fully understand one another and
make worthy compromises. Miami, a city of a myriad cultures is not perfect. Many cultures still
clash and racism and prejudice still exist. But more often than not, there is peaceful blending.
Through time, a peaceful and culturally diverse city becomes more and more of a reality.