The culture wars
By Grace Okereke
If I were an alien life form observing planet Earth through a sophisticated telescope, what would I see? A vast ocean interspersed with green and brown landmasses, snow-capped mountains, deserts and forests teeming with flora and fauna. Yet, amidst this beauty, billions of inhabitants are engaged in constant conflict. Humanity seems to be perpetually embroiled in disputes—whether over religion, territory or the pursuit of power and wealth. We humans are, it seems, first-class warmongers.
“There are two forces at work in the world: the drive towards collectivity and the drive towards individuality”.
Star Trek Voyager: Season 3, Episode 9 (Future’s End Part 2)
This quote encapsulates the core of many societal conflicts and aptly reflects the stark divisions within our societies—socially, politically and culturally. The media often exacerbates these divides through biased and emotionally charged (mis)information. One of the most pronounced points of contention is the clash between the concept of multiculturalism and nationalism. Critics of multiculturalism perceive it as a threat to a nation’s cultural identity, arguing that it erodes their established “way of life”. Terms like ”sovereignty” and “taking back control” frequently surface in these debates. Additionally, discussions around capitalism versus socialism—and the misidentification of communism with socialism— further complicate the discourse on economics and the exploitation of communal resources by perceived “outsiders”.
Supporters of multiculturalism argue that it enriches the development of societies and addresses labour shortages in various sectors within their countries. For some regions, there is also an argument about the impact that colonisation has had in shifting demographics in the “homeland” of the colonist countries. Some argue that the benefits of historical and present-day colonisation should not be reaped solely by the colonisers.
What often seems missing from these discussions is a broader perspective that acknowledges the nuances of each argument. Instead, debates are often framed in binary terms that overlook life’s complexities. Regardless of individual desires for isolation or xenophobia, we all share one planet, interconnected by cause and effect. In this context, the arts have a unique role to play.
So where does the performing arts sector fit into this? How can we contribute to unifying people? Some suggest that solving global issues is simpler than we think; the real barrier is our reluctance to act. While I will leave it up to you to decide if you agree with this sentiment, I do believe that working together will lead us further than working in isolation. At Uprise Rebel, our ethos is to celebrate our shared environment, whether we have lived there all our lives or have just arrived. Building a sense of community requires welcoming everyone into it so they can truly feel a part of it.
Culture wields significant power; it shapes our heritage, identity, sense of belonging and history. Yet culture is not static; it evolves and develops as humanity has throughout history. We need not remain static simply because we are told to be. Celebrating one group does not necessitate diminishing or ignoring others. As a sector with influence, we can dismantle barriers—whether perceived or physical—and genuinely celebrate the differences between us.
