"Sure, anyone can love. But in the end, how many of us actually will?"

-Stephen H. Kwon-

Monday, February 28, 2011

What should we do when we are confronted with other cultures?

I have had the privilege of growing up as a Third Culture Kid and am very grateful for that. Born in America, yet being raised by pure Korean parents had a bit of an impact on my cultural perspective. Not to mention having to move to China as a seven year old due to God's calling for my parents to preach and spread the Gospel to the unreached Chinese citizens. Throughout my inter cultural life until now, I have had the chance to experience what it was like to be a student at home, international schools, American public schools, and a Chinese national school. All of these experiences have had a profound impact on my world-view and have allowed me to accept other cultures at ease. Throughout the course of these years, I have learned that people of other cultures may be cautious and even unwilling to accept people who do not share the same culture as them. I have realized that we shouldn't be the ones standing back and hoping that others will eventually accept us because it normally doesn't turn out to be too successful. We should be the ones reaching out and embracing them and their cultures no matter how different it is to ours. There is not one culture that is "right" or "standard". Each culture is just simply unique and that is what brings the color and spice into this world that we all share. That is what we must all understand so that we can live in peace, free from judgment and hatred. Acceptance and love brings the warm path to peace and friendship.

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