A culture is made up of several interrelated elements that collectively define a group’s way of life. These elements include:
1. Beliefs and Values
• Beliefs: Ideas or convictions that people hold to be true.
• Values: Guiding principles or standards of behavior, such as honesty, respect, and fairness.
2. Norms and Customs
• Norms: Unwritten rules that guide behavior in specific situations (e.g., greetings, etiquette).
• Customs: Traditional practices and rituals, such as holidays, festivals, or ceremonies.
3. Language and Communication
• The primary means of communication within a culture, including spoken, written, and non-verbal language.
• Includes symbols, gestures, and idioms unique to the culture.
4. Art and Literature
• Creative expressions like music, dance, visual arts, theater, and literature that reflect cultural identity and values.
5. Religion and Spirituality
• Beliefs about the divine, morality, the afterlife, and practices that provide meaning and purpose to life.
6. Social Structure
• How society organizes itself, including family roles, social classes, gender roles, and hierarchies.
7. Traditions and Rituals
• Activities or ceremonies passed down through generations, often tied to milestones or cultural identity (e.g., weddings, funerals, rites of passage).
8. Food and Cuisine
• The preparation, ingredients, and eating habits that are specific to a culture.
9. Clothing and Fashion
• Styles of dress and adornment that reflect cultural identity, climate, and history.
10. Technology and Tools
• The techniques, tools, and innovations developed by a culture to meet its needs and goals.
11. Historical Context
• The events, experiences, and stories that shape a culture’s identity over time.
12. Attitudes Toward Change
• How a culture adapts to new influences, technology, or globalization while maintaining its core identity.
Together, these elements interact and evolve, creating the unique identity of a culture.
Slavery and Jim Crow is not just apart of the legacy of America. It’s apart of the culture and fabric American.
We like to pretend that all is well and that we are a Christian nation.
Capitalism, mammon, money, greed are our idols. Human bodies are what we offer up as sacrifices.