Across languages and cultures, we are shown in the short clip below, some women that remind us of one important thing. Your language, your place of origin and even your culture is not your most distinctive feature. It is not something that makes the world better by itself. It is not something to use to stand up out of the crowd as someone special nor superior. Nationalist movements tend to make people think precisely the opposite. Let’s get this straight.
First of all, when learning Spanish and its many interwoven cultures, do not lose sight of your own. In fact look at your own closer. You will realise that by engaging with Spanish and its worlds, you will have new eyes for what you think you knew. What you took for granted as familiar and normal, is it really familiar? is it really normal? What is it that you call your culture and your world? What is it made of? Is it not perhaps another hybrid? Is it not the result of many years and centuries of diverse influences and haphazardous events?
These women made and make very clear that there is an ultimate more important concept to stand up and work hard for. They made it clear with their work and with their far-reaching vision. A better world with better off human beings, regardless of birth place, across languages and cultures.
Spanish and its many cultures, are just expressions of the richness and wonderful variety with which each of us can experience the world. One can go always beyond that particular experience, like these women. It is from a more inclusive stand point that we can make a difference for the better in this world.
Let’s try to leave behind the shortsightedness that sees in isolation one culture and one language as the best option over others. Let’s avoid judging people as better or worse with regards their place of origin and customs alone. To emphasize separation and to thrive in conflict on the basis of cultural superiority, or simply difference, speaks of poor sight and of a complete misunderstanding of what the common good is about, and of what one really needs standing up against.
Learning about other cultures and languages is rather a way of learning more about yourselves. It may look like a diversion, but it is in fact a shortcut. I know it because I have taken that path several times already.
So now I leave you with some hard-working geniuses across languages and cultures, who went beyond their own languages and cultures, and learned a universal language in the end. Women that change/d the world, for the better. Learning Spanish is one important step you are taking in that direction.
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