Like a belief in God, there is hardly anything that cannot be justified in the name of culture. What better place to begin examining this idea than the U.S.? During antebellum times, White supremacy and slavery were deeply ingrained characteristics of Southern culture (and U.S. culture in general). Southern White males from all classes were astounded and offended that some White Northerners criticized their deeply cherished (and thoroughly racist) values and traditions.
Similarly, during the civil rights movement, many White Southerners were offended because White Northerners were disrespecting their culture. “Our niggras are happy down here,” they would say. Anyone from the North that disagreed was simply interfering in a situation about which they knew little, if anything.
White supremacists in apartheid South Africa were no different than their U.S. counterparts. They could not understand why people in other parts of the world were attacking their (White supremacist) culture.
In recent times in the U.S., many White Southerners have embraced the Confederate flag as a symbol of Southern pride, heritage and identity. Critics, however, see it as a symbol of White supremacy. Indeed, it was a major symbol of resistance to the civil rights movement in the South.
However, this is nothing more than a false dichotomy, or false alternative. In fact, the Confederate flag is a symbol of the South’s racist heritage. Simply put, racism and heritage are not mutually exclusive. Supporters of this symbol should not go unchallenged when they try to argue otherwise. They are simply trying to hide their racist baggage by appealing to culture, tradition and heritage, which are supposedly unassailable.
This is the easy part, however. It is obvious, especially with the benefit of hindsight, to see how terribly wrong White supremacy is. Yet, many people put on blinders when it comes to examining the negative cultural traits of non-Whites today.
Black popular culture in the U.S., like all cultures, has its share of negative aspects. Hardcore rappers, comedians, and filmmakers routinely buy into, promote and celebrate racial, racist and sexist stereotypes. Many of them glamorize, glorify and romanticize deadly gang violence, illicit drug use, unprotected sex, misogyny, self-hatred, etc. Yet, this is all readily accepted by millions in the name of “keepin’ it real,” and supposed Black cultural authenticity.
In Africa, the most vulnerable members of society—children, women and sexual minorities—are oppressed, persecuted and killed. Male children are favored over female children for educational opportunities. Children are identified as witches and wizards and are ostracized, tortured and killed. Many LGBTQI people are afraid to pursue medical care for AIDS treatment, fearing harassment and even death from reactionary homophobes. Fanatics in various African nations are attempting to pass laws that further stigmatize and harm LGBTQI people.
Even seemingly harmless traditional beliefs do damage. For example, in my book, African American Humanism: An Anthology, secular humanist activist Emmanuel Kofi Mensah tells the following story:
Take a case in Ghana….There was a guinea worm epidemic in one area. A borehole was dug for the village by the United Nations through the auspices of the World Health Organization and UNICEF to help avert the river-borne disease. It was later learned, however, that the villagers were not using the borehole because they claimed the river, which runs through the village and was causing their problem, was better than the borehole for drinking and for domestic usage.
They alleged that the gods lived in the river and that anybody who shunned the river would eventually die. Consequently, they clung to their religious beliefs and the epidemic continued. (pp. 194-195)
Similarly, the Ugandan Humanist Association (UHASSO) acquired land for their Mustard Seed secondary school. They had a difficult time persuading parents to send their children to the school because people in the area believed the land on which the school was built was inhabited by evil spirits.
In these and many other ways, Africans are harming themselves in the name of culture. Yet, like theists, they will continue to defend these life-sapping practices because they do not realize that tradition is often “the dead hand of human progress.” They believe that culture is an end in itself rather than a means to widespread human happiness and well-being.
There are numerous other examples of life-sapping cultural ideas and practices, especially among reactionary Muslims in the Arab world. However, we should all strive to examine our cultures, just as we should examine our religions and worldviews. We should be our own worst critics.
Paul Kurtz has long spoken and written about the common moral decencies and ethical excellences for which all humans should strive. They include empathy, a sense of fairness, altruism, etc. Only when people stop allowing themselves to be slaves to their cultures will they be able to strive toward a truly just world for all.
Truly intelligent, forward-thinking, imaginative and humane leaders are always trying to surpass their cultures. Indeed, without such leaders, cultures cannot even survive, let alone move ahead. It is such thinking that has led to the abolition of legal chattel slavery, the granting of the right to vote to women, the abolition of racial apartheid, etc. As Martin Luther King wisely observed, “Genuine leadership doesn’t follow consensus. It molds it.” Let us all strive to provide more genuine leadership.