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Agreed. People excuse a lot of shitty behavior, abuse and even crimes with "it's/they're from another culture" (or they are from another time). I don't fucking care, it's still wrong, and the people doing it are still assholes.
I would go further and say that you should. No culture is free of issues and being part of it should give a person the understanding to be critical of it.
I think the important bit is always to consider the whole context of *how* criticism is made. If you criticise your own culture your goal should be to try to make things better, even if it's one step at a time.
Not *every* piece of criticism needs to have a long justification (eg. "we should really stop normalising nonces"), but it's usually useful to understand how things come to be as to try to offer a solution.
A family member of mine said it was islamophobic to be critical of the death penalty for blasphemers. I haven’t been able to talk to them the same way since.
Well, it would make sense to fear Islam if you can be killed for blaspheming against it - so technically I guess your family member isn't necessarily wrong.
the issue imo coming from someone religious is that they are avoiding you asking questions about the religion instead of explaining why they find it to be right or just.
shutting down questions won't make the doubts go away, it's not a healthy way to believe or educate others to believe.
There are a lot of hardliners who wanted Sharia Laws in the UK. I say they can go somewhere that has it already. I bet they would be crying if they fell afoul of it unintentionally and were punished
You are morally obligated to criticize your culture, if you see possibilities of better ways.
And, really anyone's culture if there is clear evidence that it's unjustly damaging people.
It’s kind of like when folks here in the US say “if you don’t like it, leave.”
Sorry, I’m from here. Also, it’s more patriotic to want to fix your issues than run people off. IMO anyway.
Ah, you had to bring in the meaningless "r" word. So black people who don't want to find fault with black culture are the "r" word by your estimation, correct? White people are taught to hate their culture, and this is one of the factors ripping apart Western society. It's not even presented as a choice; as a White you either hate your race/culture/history, or you are the "r" word.
Don't know what you are talking about. Your reply seems to indicate the exact opposite. Whenever I say I'm not particularly proud of my supposed culture there are plenty of people to give me shit because of it. I think culture is overrated as by nature it's ever changing and a very local phenomenon, nevermind people changing their behaviour within different groups of people. But yes, people who are more concerned with culture are often racist too and I don't think that's meaningless.
I actually know plenty of black people who are critical of aspects of black culture. The difference is that they criticise it from a place of understanding it.
What? I’m white and love to look into my culture and history, Swedish, French and Italian, but those countries specifically France, did some pretty fucked up shit. There is no “white” culture in the US, just heritage. If you like say English culture that’s ok, but if you say England was right to rape and pillage its way across the world then ya you’re definitely something
There have been amazing videos done on this topic, unfortunately you'll never be able to mention it without being tremendously downvoted.
Martin Luther King would be so disappointed, he wanted us to not judge others by the color of their skin, but by their character, yet instead now that power has turned the same mistakes are being made.
Calls for white genocide, continued malicious media coverups, clear racial discrimination that provides power to the now favored end, everything is very clearly sending proof that what you say is true, but those that benefit will never admit it.
(https://youtu.be/BFpUjyM0orQ?feature=shared) Take the time to watch this video, and then read some of the many stories and experiences in the comments. Or ignore it all if that's what you wish.
i’m white and not once have i ever hated my race/culture nor am i racist. nobody is teaching white people to hate their culture. acknowledging the oppression that white people have caused towards ppl of color does not mean i hate white people it just means i understand history and want to make things better in the future for everyone.
would also love to hear what you think is “white culture” bc in my experience that… isn’t rlly a thing? like yeah there are cultures for different majority white cultures but what exactly is culture specific to white people?
this false dichotomy is so strange and shows a real lack of real-world perspective lol.
As a Brazilian I strongly feel this.
We have a thing called "mongrel complex". Originally it refers to a feeling of inferiority some Brazilians feel in comparison to other countries, but in practice it means that people will call you a mongrel or insult you whenever you criticise the tiniest bit about brazilian culture and history, which I like to call the pedigree complex.
That means I can't even say I dislike Brazilian music, food or disagree with my peers constantly shitting on the Wright Brithers and putting Santos Dumont on a pedestal without some idiot coming out of nowhere and berating all my bloodline.
>Like, seriously, is it wrong to be critical of one's own cultural background?
Heck no. People's behaviors, values, and beliefs may be byproducts of their culture, but at the end of the day, each of us are individuals full of unique ideas, attitudes, and feelings. There very well may be things about your culture that you like, and others that you don't like as much. You may even dislike more things about your culture than you like, but there is nothing wrong with that and it doesn't make you any less Filipino.
There are many things that I don't like about my (American) culture, but I'm not ashamed of being American. In fact, I think collectively criticizing one's own culture is the only way to move a culture in the right direction and change it for the better.
Thats scary to think about. When we’re older it’s likely we’ll become the same way without even realizing it. I don’t want to lose my critical thinking and adaptability.
I think the same about countries and patriotism. Like I love my country, I want it to be the best it can be and to do so I have to be honest in my assessment of where it can improve.
I absolutely detest those who use patriotic jingo together with the cultural argument. Inability to criticize one's own cultural is as bad as willful ignorance at best.
I am indigenous to my country, my culture has been used by other indigenous members as an excuse for poor behaviour. I will often speak out about it, then get called racist lol.
If you never call out bad aspects of your culture you never change.
As a Filipina myself I'd say there are a lot of things critical about Filipinos. I grew up in America. I'm half white/Filipina and honestly I hated getting stared at like a wild animal when going to SM (the main mall chain in the PH for those who don't know).
Anyways I was often looked at any many Filipinos thought I was "easy" to have sex with because all Western women are like that in the porn they watch. Smh.
Also because I look 100% white rather than half Filipina, people have tried scamming me on the jeep to double pay them. Smh.
I was interested in this guy and he said it was impossible for me to have an interest/crush on him because he was poorer and not white. 🙄 alternatively, the other guys there made me nauseous at how they compared me to women in porn.
I'm shy speaking Tagalog since its not my native language, so they assumed I was either stupid or didn't know enough or anything at all. The amount of gross and mean comments I heard were awful.
I lived near an international school and a black guy got on the Jeep. The amount of Filipinos who openly covered their mouth and noses when this guy got on made me embarrassed by their behavior and also shocked. They openly spoke about how disgusting he was and how bad he smelled (I'll admit he did smell kinda bad, but everyone was sweating it was so stupid hot that day!) But they openly talked crap about him in front of me and the guy assuming we were "stupid foreigners" and how we need to leave the PH. I just ignored them since I didn't want to embarrass myself sleaking bad Tagalog, but I never found out if that guy understood them or not and ignored them as I did or not.
Also the amount of times a filipino begger on the streets or in malls would come to me trying to get money was ridiculous. Even if I had money I'd say no in fear of them following me for more or trying to harass me or rob me. One guy even asked me for money and this person who was next to me grabbed the guy's pants and shook it. He probably had issues holding up his pants with the amount of cash and change he had on him. In fact the person I was with made a comment about how this guy was richer than anyone else walking the streets. He probably had like 10k in pesos or more. It was actually ridiculous!
Filipino culture around in-home "servants" (aka slaves) is probably the worst part of the culture that I've seen consistently defended by the 40 and up crowd of Filipinos in the US.
Like a maid? They aren't slaves at all. I mean if its so restrictive they can leave. We have a maid/helper ate who has been helping my family in the Philippines for years. She is free to come and go as she pleases. She even goes on vacation with our family free of cost. She's like another auntie we have. She cooks and does the laundry but she uses the pay to send back home to her family. It's basically live in help. Many cultures have it. Not just the Philippines. In Korea and China thry even have night nurses or post-partum care for women. Like live in babysitters. There is literally nothing wrong with this. They are employed to do a job. If they don't want to, they can look for something else to do.
I’m Indian and I criticize Bollywood anytime someone brings it up lol. Actual brainrot, and some people think In not proud of being Indian/fake indian because I say things like this. Crazy
I’m with you. As a Canadian god forbid i say anything slightly negative about Canada to my dad. Interestingly, he criticizes Trudeau over the most ridiculous things (his hair, his socks…). Oh but then I criticize Legault (our premier) about legit issues that have had a direct impact on me? I get yelled at. Makes no sense.
Of course I can criticize my country, my culture. That’s the only way we can improve. Otherwise we’re just a cult.
Not at all. I’m Arab and I’m very critical of my culture. The sexism, the racism, the intolerance to change. Criticism is good because it promotes change and growth. I feel like we have to be better and for us to do that we have to first address what’s wrong.
I don’t see this as being an unpopular opinion. I’m Australian and I bitch about my culture all the time. I love it, and feel connected to it in any ways, but that’s not going to stop me from being critical
As a white American, I'm literally \*only\* allowed to be critical of my own cultural background. I don't mind some criticism but would be nice to talk about the good too
I see this as part of growing up.
Just as you get to a certain age and realise your parents are human and have their flaws, you get to another age and start to detect the flaws in your own culture too.
Or should. Some people never do.
Some people can only see the flaws in other cultures, never their own.
I’m indigenous Canadian and a big thing I have an issue with is how people white wash us to say why colonialism is bad.
Like colonialism is bad and we were at war with each other. Two things can be true
You're allowed to be critical of any man-made thing, which include culture, law, religion, etc. Somebody make them up, then somebody can make them again.
I perfectly understand your sentiment. People are dumb, people make dumb decisions, you are free to believe what you believe is right as long as you don't harm another person. You are not alone, parents and grown ups make us feel weak and doubt ourselves, but we have to realize those people are just as dumb as any other person.
Many religions bother me of this including my own family’s where certain things have to be the way they are just cause someone said smth like 300 years ago. Or also certain religious leaders taking advantage of their power and people just feed into it.
There are also nothing wrong to not be critical of own cultural background either. So just make sure you don't try to use those reddit answers to "prove your parents" are wrong.
No, I wouldn't.
Besides, I'm too meek to even consider a debate with them. In our culture, the parents are always right, and for their children (even if adults) to tell their side is seen as "talking back" and thus "disrespectful".
You can't have healthy debates with people older than you in the Philippines, it's what I'm saying.
This is sad and its a bar to progress in any society.
If you're an adult you should be respected as one. They are confusing respect with obedience or servitude
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I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. Like my culture is (a lot of time) promoting for those opportunists. They call those are “street smart” but no,they’re just taking shortcuts,trying to be lazy by spending the least time but getting the most benefits from other people’s hard works and claiming those for themselves. So it affects the victims negatively but they think that’s smart and promote for it. When I saw that with my eyes,I couldn’t accept it. But they kept telling me that it’s acceptable and I should change myself to be like them . Seriously! Wtf?
This is unpopular? I feel like the biggest critics of cultures that I'm not a part of actually are a part of that culture. It's actually the most intricate grievances because they have life experiences under that context, specifically
Damn right, who else but the people of said culture would be best suited to examine practices/beliefs/expectations/traditions/ECT and determine if changes are to be considered.
I will always encourage others to create their own thoughts and opinions, and if you feel that something doesn't sit right with you, don't just ignore it.
Unless you truly believe your culture is perfect, it’s up to people in that culture to make it better. That can’t happen if we pretend everything is perfect.
It's not only okay but healthy to question the cultural norms you grew up with. I tell people never to blindly accept anything just because it's familiar because it can hold you back. Traditions should serve us, not enslave us.
Yup 100% agree. My grandfather is Chinese and me and my siblings grew up respecting our Chinese heritage and living many traditions in that culture and we’re proud of it. Having said that, I am not proud of how oppressive and sexist Chinese culture is. Chinese tourists are usually awful in general and especially for littering 🫣I’ve heard so many horror stories and witnessed it.
>> impossible for me to have a crush because not white
The years I lived in PH colorism is one of the things I could never understand, but light skin truly is at the top of their beauty standards. All the gluta lotions, soaps and injections left me puzzled why darker or tanned skin is undesirable 😵💫
When I express the dislike of what people believe is African American culture. Other black people say stuff, "It be ya own kind", which is something I also dislike in itself...this idea of not being allowed to be critical of certain aspects withing AA culture.
I cannot tell you how much of a culture shock this is compared to India, where criticizing everything about who we are, is a national pastime.
A lack of criticism is an impediment to positive change, but, honestly, excessive criticism is as well.
Do the right thing. Have open conversations.
It's especially ok if culture is causing harm in some way
Otherwise it's nice ...to have a culture. To belong somewhere.. especially if you are proud of your predecessors. ..i sometimes wonder what it must've been like to be them... Then I have some cultural dishes..realise this is what they ate..and feel like I..connect with them....in a vague way (I also realised that there is no better meal I could be having, according to my body) ..culture is nice ..when it isn't harmful
Completely agree if you're from a minority culture in the west you're expected to live, breathe, and eat your parents culture and you can't say anything wrong about it because then they will think you hate every single thing about the culture and that you're brainwashed. Being able to pick apart the culture you live in makes that culture stronger one of the best parts of being American imo is that you can constantly talk trash about people in power and nothing will happen to you, the 3rd world cultures especially will fall apart within 3 seconds of criticizing them then everyone will get on you as well.
>I'm a white American woman. I'd feel stupid if I didn't criticize my culture.
What culture are you talking about?
German, Polish, Irish, French, Finnish?
Do you think "whites" are some kind of monolithic lockstep people?
Do you think that "whites" are the only ones who contribute to or produce American culture??
Do you know how many Black/Asian/Hispanic/Middle Eastern/Native people contributed to or produced "American culture"? Do you think European heritage is the only driving factor behind "American culture"?
WTF are you actually talking about?
This is the most multi-cultural country in existence. To claim that "American culture" is strictly "white culture" is the most absurd thing I've heard all year. Perhaps, the kost absurd thing I've ever heard
No, you're doing the standard virtue signaling progressive thing and saying you're a white lady who's critical of "random un-named culture element reddit doesn't like".
The criticism is called for, but will be downvoted to oblivion. I'm so freaking tired of these stupid conversations people have over race. They don't actually accomplish anything.
Virtue signalling?? LMAO you don't even know me. Sorry you don't understand that I was saying I have no Filipino background and reading a bunch of shit into 2 sentences but that's a you problem. Maybe don't fly off the handle about something you clearly misunderstood.
I dunno if you could really relate the German, Polish, Irish, French, Finnish and Italians as having the same culture as their cousins in Europe. You could pretty much band all the white people culture in US into the same social behaviors, institutions, and norms.
Black and Latino culture which is also American culture does seem quite uniquely different to the white culture.
At the same time all Americans of whatever background you have does seem to have its own blanket culture.
>You could pretty much band all the white people culture in US into the same social behaviors, institutions, and norms.
And I'd argue that you couldn't. I'd argue there's a massive difference between the average "white" guy who grew up in the deep south vs the average "white" guy who grew up on the west coast.
>Black and Latino culture which is also American culture does seem quite uniquely different to the white culture
I would argue it's ingrained into the overall American culture. From music to food, to how people dress to the arts. It's all intertwined.
>At the same time all Americans of whatever background you have does seem to have its own blanket culture.
Exactly
I am a white person. And it upsets me when white racists talk about america being their country and all, when we r••ed and murdered and shipped "native americans" all over to 'claim' this land.. native to america, they are brown people. They are not white..
I think it’s a good thing to a degree. White people and western culture is over the top critical of their own culture to the point of being absolutely unable to stand up for it
This is a very popular opinion among young people.
However, Id like to warn about being critical of your culture to people outside of it. You think they're sympathetic, but often theyre just listening for excuses to be racist to your culture.
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A strong culture invites self reflection.
Amazing!! I’m gonna use this on my dad who refuses to critique Canada on anything. Unless it’s Trudeau’s socks or hair 😂. So dumb.
You can use it but it’s extremely untrue. All Canadians do is shit on our own culture. We’ll miss it when it’s gone just wait and see.
Strong believer of just because it’s culture, doesn’t mean it’s right
Agreed. People excuse a lot of shitty behavior, abuse and even crimes with "it's/they're from another culture" (or they are from another time). I don't fucking care, it's still wrong, and the people doing it are still assholes.
That’s very much true.
That's a fact. People may think otherwise but then they are just wrong Ablation is culture. Fuck that and everyone who enforces that cos it's culture
Good example is that extreme racism was (and still is in some areas) a big part out Southern US culture for a long time.
I would go further and say that you should. No culture is free of issues and being part of it should give a person the understanding to be critical of it.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with being critical of one's own culture or the culture of others.
Real, it prevents toxic beliefs from being carried on or expanded upon over generations.
I think the important bit is always to consider the whole context of *how* criticism is made. If you criticise your own culture your goal should be to try to make things better, even if it's one step at a time. Not *every* piece of criticism needs to have a long justification (eg. "we should really stop normalising nonces"), but it's usually useful to understand how things come to be as to try to offer a solution.
Yep, completely agree!
Unfortunately too many people coflate criticism of culture and ideology with racism. The two are not the same.
A family member of mine said it was islamophobic to be critical of the death penalty for blasphemers. I haven’t been able to talk to them the same way since.
Well, it would make sense to fear Islam if you can be killed for blaspheming against it - so technically I guess your family member isn't necessarily wrong.
the issue imo coming from someone religious is that they are avoiding you asking questions about the religion instead of explaining why they find it to be right or just. shutting down questions won't make the doubts go away, it's not a healthy way to believe or educate others to believe.
There are a lot of hardliners who wanted Sharia Laws in the UK. I say they can go somewhere that has it already. I bet they would be crying if they fell afoul of it unintentionally and were punished
Those who refuse to find fault in their own group are typically the ones who keep potentially harmful traditions alive.
Yes!!!
You are morally obligated to criticize your culture, if you see possibilities of better ways. And, really anyone's culture if there is clear evidence that it's unjustly damaging people.
I think one's own culture is the one you have the most right to criticise.
It’s kind of like when folks here in the US say “if you don’t like it, leave.” Sorry, I’m from here. Also, it’s more patriotic to want to fix your issues than run people off. IMO anyway.
Those who fail to be critical of their supposed own culture are people who are foolish and tend to be racist.
Ah, you had to bring in the meaningless "r" word. So black people who don't want to find fault with black culture are the "r" word by your estimation, correct? White people are taught to hate their culture, and this is one of the factors ripping apart Western society. It's not even presented as a choice; as a White you either hate your race/culture/history, or you are the "r" word.
How many yards did you rake to build this strawman, just curious
Probably a couple dozen saw him in my neighborhood preparing for this.
That's incredibly reductionist, exceptionally hyperbolic, and mostly just plain stupid.
Don't know what you are talking about. Your reply seems to indicate the exact opposite. Whenever I say I'm not particularly proud of my supposed culture there are plenty of people to give me shit because of it. I think culture is overrated as by nature it's ever changing and a very local phenomenon, nevermind people changing their behaviour within different groups of people. But yes, people who are more concerned with culture are often racist too and I don't think that's meaningless.
I actually know plenty of black people who are critical of aspects of black culture. The difference is that they criticise it from a place of understanding it.
What? I’m white and love to look into my culture and history, Swedish, French and Italian, but those countries specifically France, did some pretty fucked up shit. There is no “white” culture in the US, just heritage. If you like say English culture that’s ok, but if you say England was right to rape and pillage its way across the world then ya you’re definitely something
True..not let’s see you say something critical about African or middle eastern culture? 😂
Stop using black people as a “gotcha”.
"R word" That was cringe as fuck. Reading your comment made me feel second-hand embarrassment.
There have been amazing videos done on this topic, unfortunately you'll never be able to mention it without being tremendously downvoted. Martin Luther King would be so disappointed, he wanted us to not judge others by the color of their skin, but by their character, yet instead now that power has turned the same mistakes are being made. Calls for white genocide, continued malicious media coverups, clear racial discrimination that provides power to the now favored end, everything is very clearly sending proof that what you say is true, but those that benefit will never admit it. (https://youtu.be/BFpUjyM0orQ?feature=shared) Take the time to watch this video, and then read some of the many stories and experiences in the comments. Or ignore it all if that's what you wish.
i’m white and not once have i ever hated my race/culture nor am i racist. nobody is teaching white people to hate their culture. acknowledging the oppression that white people have caused towards ppl of color does not mean i hate white people it just means i understand history and want to make things better in the future for everyone. would also love to hear what you think is “white culture” bc in my experience that… isn’t rlly a thing? like yeah there are cultures for different majority white cultures but what exactly is culture specific to white people? this false dichotomy is so strange and shows a real lack of real-world perspective lol.
Infinite strawman works over here lmao
There is no such thing as "white culture" 😵💫
As a Brazilian I strongly feel this. We have a thing called "mongrel complex". Originally it refers to a feeling of inferiority some Brazilians feel in comparison to other countries, but in practice it means that people will call you a mongrel or insult you whenever you criticise the tiniest bit about brazilian culture and history, which I like to call the pedigree complex. That means I can't even say I dislike Brazilian music, food or disagree with my peers constantly shitting on the Wright Brithers and putting Santos Dumont on a pedestal without some idiot coming out of nowhere and berating all my bloodline.
>Like, seriously, is it wrong to be critical of one's own cultural background? Heck no. People's behaviors, values, and beliefs may be byproducts of their culture, but at the end of the day, each of us are individuals full of unique ideas, attitudes, and feelings. There very well may be things about your culture that you like, and others that you don't like as much. You may even dislike more things about your culture than you like, but there is nothing wrong with that and it doesn't make you any less Filipino. There are many things that I don't like about my (American) culture, but I'm not ashamed of being American. In fact, I think collectively criticizing one's own culture is the only way to move a culture in the right direction and change it for the better.
Never doing so is the definition of bias.
I agree but unfortunately there are places like North Korea where public speaking of your country in any way is basically a death sentence.
no it's not, it's actually the way forward. Parents are too old and ingrained in a system, so they defend it because its the only thing they know
Thats scary to think about. When we’re older it’s likely we’ll become the same way without even realizing it. I don’t want to lose my critical thinking and adaptability.
I think the same about countries and patriotism. Like I love my country, I want it to be the best it can be and to do so I have to be honest in my assessment of where it can improve.
I absolutely detest those who use patriotic jingo together with the cultural argument. Inability to criticize one's own cultural is as bad as willful ignorance at best.
you can be critical about anything you would like
You're allowed to be critical of everyone's culture. They all have good and bad points
I am indigenous to my country, my culture has been used by other indigenous members as an excuse for poor behaviour. I will often speak out about it, then get called racist lol. If you never call out bad aspects of your culture you never change.
I agree. Lack of introspection hurts the community and the culture in general.
You’re allowed to be critical of *any* culture.
As a Filipina myself I'd say there are a lot of things critical about Filipinos. I grew up in America. I'm half white/Filipina and honestly I hated getting stared at like a wild animal when going to SM (the main mall chain in the PH for those who don't know). Anyways I was often looked at any many Filipinos thought I was "easy" to have sex with because all Western women are like that in the porn they watch. Smh. Also because I look 100% white rather than half Filipina, people have tried scamming me on the jeep to double pay them. Smh. I was interested in this guy and he said it was impossible for me to have an interest/crush on him because he was poorer and not white. 🙄 alternatively, the other guys there made me nauseous at how they compared me to women in porn. I'm shy speaking Tagalog since its not my native language, so they assumed I was either stupid or didn't know enough or anything at all. The amount of gross and mean comments I heard were awful. I lived near an international school and a black guy got on the Jeep. The amount of Filipinos who openly covered their mouth and noses when this guy got on made me embarrassed by their behavior and also shocked. They openly spoke about how disgusting he was and how bad he smelled (I'll admit he did smell kinda bad, but everyone was sweating it was so stupid hot that day!) But they openly talked crap about him in front of me and the guy assuming we were "stupid foreigners" and how we need to leave the PH. I just ignored them since I didn't want to embarrass myself sleaking bad Tagalog, but I never found out if that guy understood them or not and ignored them as I did or not. Also the amount of times a filipino begger on the streets or in malls would come to me trying to get money was ridiculous. Even if I had money I'd say no in fear of them following me for more or trying to harass me or rob me. One guy even asked me for money and this person who was next to me grabbed the guy's pants and shook it. He probably had issues holding up his pants with the amount of cash and change he had on him. In fact the person I was with made a comment about how this guy was richer than anyone else walking the streets. He probably had like 10k in pesos or more. It was actually ridiculous!
Filipino culture around in-home "servants" (aka slaves) is probably the worst part of the culture that I've seen consistently defended by the 40 and up crowd of Filipinos in the US.
Like a maid? They aren't slaves at all. I mean if its so restrictive they can leave. We have a maid/helper ate who has been helping my family in the Philippines for years. She is free to come and go as she pleases. She even goes on vacation with our family free of cost. She's like another auntie we have. She cooks and does the laundry but she uses the pay to send back home to her family. It's basically live in help. Many cultures have it. Not just the Philippines. In Korea and China thry even have night nurses or post-partum care for women. Like live in babysitters. There is literally nothing wrong with this. They are employed to do a job. If they don't want to, they can look for something else to do.
I’m Indian and I criticize Bollywood anytime someone brings it up lol. Actual brainrot, and some people think In not proud of being Indian/fake indian because I say things like this. Crazy
I’m with you. As a Canadian god forbid i say anything slightly negative about Canada to my dad. Interestingly, he criticizes Trudeau over the most ridiculous things (his hair, his socks…). Oh but then I criticize Legault (our premier) about legit issues that have had a direct impact on me? I get yelled at. Makes no sense. Of course I can criticize my country, my culture. That’s the only way we can improve. Otherwise we’re just a cult.
I would much rather criticize my own culture than listen to someone who didn’t grow up in it do so.
Not at all. I’m Arab and I’m very critical of my culture. The sexism, the racism, the intolerance to change. Criticism is good because it promotes change and growth. I feel like we have to be better and for us to do that we have to first address what’s wrong.
I don’t see this as being an unpopular opinion. I’m Australian and I bitch about my culture all the time. I love it, and feel connected to it in any ways, but that’s not going to stop me from being critical
As a white American, I'm literally \*only\* allowed to be critical of my own cultural background. I don't mind some criticism but would be nice to talk about the good too
Of course you're allowed, what is this 1984?
it sure seems like it in some cultures, especially in cultures where the notion "respect your elders" is a huge thing (which. . a lot of them do).
There’s a lot of shit wrong with my country, but most of the time when I voice my concerns, I’m called an American hating communist.
I see this as part of growing up. Just as you get to a certain age and realise your parents are human and have their flaws, you get to another age and start to detect the flaws in your own culture too. Or should. Some people never do. Some people can only see the flaws in other cultures, never their own.
I’m indigenous Canadian and a big thing I have an issue with is how people white wash us to say why colonialism is bad. Like colonialism is bad and we were at war with each other. Two things can be true
There’s so much stuff I don’t like about my culture. So much.
If anything, your own culture is the culture you're most entitled, if not obligated, to criticize.
dude I literally downright hate my own culture. criticizing would be the generous thing to do
And of other cultures, too. The fact that a custom is part of a cultural tradition doesn’t make it inherently ok or immune to criticism.
You're allowed to be critical of any man-made thing, which include culture, law, religion, etc. Somebody make them up, then somebody can make them again.
I perfectly understand your sentiment. People are dumb, people make dumb decisions, you are free to believe what you believe is right as long as you don't harm another person. You are not alone, parents and grown ups make us feel weak and doubt ourselves, but we have to realize those people are just as dumb as any other person.
Many religions bother me of this including my own family’s where certain things have to be the way they are just cause someone said smth like 300 years ago. Or also certain religious leaders taking advantage of their power and people just feed into it.
You're also allowed to be critical of other people's culture.
There are also nothing wrong to not be critical of own cultural background either. So just make sure you don't try to use those reddit answers to "prove your parents" are wrong.
No, I wouldn't. Besides, I'm too meek to even consider a debate with them. In our culture, the parents are always right, and for their children (even if adults) to tell their side is seen as "talking back" and thus "disrespectful". You can't have healthy debates with people older than you in the Philippines, it's what I'm saying.
This is sad and its a bar to progress in any society. If you're an adult you should be respected as one. They are confusing respect with obedience or servitude
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I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. Like my culture is (a lot of time) promoting for those opportunists. They call those are “street smart” but no,they’re just taking shortcuts,trying to be lazy by spending the least time but getting the most benefits from other people’s hard works and claiming those for themselves. So it affects the victims negatively but they think that’s smart and promote for it. When I saw that with my eyes,I couldn’t accept it. But they kept telling me that it’s acceptable and I should change myself to be like them . Seriously! Wtf?
I mean of course,but you probably wont be able convince them. Especially such a tight knitted community as pinoy culture is
This is unpopular? I feel like the biggest critics of cultures that I'm not a part of actually are a part of that culture. It's actually the most intricate grievances because they have life experiences under that context, specifically
Damn right, who else but the people of said culture would be best suited to examine practices/beliefs/expectations/traditions/ECT and determine if changes are to be considered. I will always encourage others to create their own thoughts and opinions, and if you feel that something doesn't sit right with you, don't just ignore it.
I feel this as a white personal lol.
Unless you truly believe your culture is perfect, it’s up to people in that culture to make it better. That can’t happen if we pretend everything is perfect.
It's not only okay but healthy to question the cultural norms you grew up with. I tell people never to blindly accept anything just because it's familiar because it can hold you back. Traditions should serve us, not enslave us.
You *should* seek to criticize and change the negative aspects of cultures.
Yup 100% agree. My grandfather is Chinese and me and my siblings grew up respecting our Chinese heritage and living many traditions in that culture and we’re proud of it. Having said that, I am not proud of how oppressive and sexist Chinese culture is. Chinese tourists are usually awful in general and especially for littering 🫣I’ve heard so many horror stories and witnessed it.
>> impossible for me to have a crush because not white The years I lived in PH colorism is one of the things I could never understand, but light skin truly is at the top of their beauty standards. All the gluta lotions, soaps and injections left me puzzled why darker or tanned skin is undesirable 😵💫
When I express the dislike of what people believe is African American culture. Other black people say stuff, "It be ya own kind", which is something I also dislike in itself...this idea of not being allowed to be critical of certain aspects withing AA culture.
I cannot tell you how much of a culture shock this is compared to India, where criticizing everything about who we are, is a national pastime. A lack of criticism is an impediment to positive change, but, honestly, excessive criticism is as well. Do the right thing. Have open conversations.
Most people agree that people WITHIN the culture have more right to be critical of it than people outside of it.
You’re allowed to be critical of anything including any culture.
OMG, yes! In fact, you really *should* be critical of your own culture. That's how it improves.
Anybody can be critical of anybody's culture, if it's factual criticism.
It's especially ok if culture is causing harm in some way Otherwise it's nice ...to have a culture. To belong somewhere.. especially if you are proud of your predecessors. ..i sometimes wonder what it must've been like to be them... Then I have some cultural dishes..realise this is what they ate..and feel like I..connect with them....in a vague way (I also realised that there is no better meal I could be having, according to my body) ..culture is nice ..when it isn't harmful
Completely agree if you're from a minority culture in the west you're expected to live, breathe, and eat your parents culture and you can't say anything wrong about it because then they will think you hate every single thing about the culture and that you're brainwashed. Being able to pick apart the culture you live in makes that culture stronger one of the best parts of being American imo is that you can constantly talk trash about people in power and nothing will happen to you, the 3rd world cultures especially will fall apart within 3 seconds of criticizing them then everyone will get on you as well.
no it's not wrong, being self-critical is healthy in general but just like anything else extremity is never good.
I can be critical of any culture but whether I choose to verbalize or act upon it is an entirely different thing.
Culture is never an excuse for shitty behavior, it’s unfortunate a lot of people like to hide behind it and believe that culture is above criticism
In my culture ritual cannibalism is widely spread and don't you dare critisizing it.
I have plenty of negative things to say about my own culture, whether people allow it or not
I'm a white American woman. I'd feel stupid if I didn't criticize my culture. I mean... Have you seen us lately? 😆
>I'm a white American woman. I'd feel stupid if I didn't criticize my culture. What culture are you talking about? German, Polish, Irish, French, Finnish? Do you think "whites" are some kind of monolithic lockstep people?
What? Do you think there's no such thing as American Culture??
Do you think that "whites" are the only ones who contribute to or produce American culture?? Do you know how many Black/Asian/Hispanic/Middle Eastern/Native people contributed to or produced "American culture"? Do you think European heritage is the only driving factor behind "American culture"? WTF are you actually talking about? This is the most multi-cultural country in existence. To claim that "American culture" is strictly "white culture" is the most absurd thing I've heard all year. Perhaps, the kost absurd thing I've ever heard
JFC dude. I was simply pointing out that I'm not Filipino like OP. Chill out.
No, you're doing the standard virtue signaling progressive thing and saying you're a white lady who's critical of "random un-named culture element reddit doesn't like". The criticism is called for, but will be downvoted to oblivion. I'm so freaking tired of these stupid conversations people have over race. They don't actually accomplish anything.
Virtue signalling?? LMAO you don't even know me. Sorry you don't understand that I was saying I have no Filipino background and reading a bunch of shit into 2 sentences but that's a you problem. Maybe don't fly off the handle about something you clearly misunderstood.
Then don't mention race. It's not relevant. Who cares what race you are? I don't.
I dunno if you could really relate the German, Polish, Irish, French, Finnish and Italians as having the same culture as their cousins in Europe. You could pretty much band all the white people culture in US into the same social behaviors, institutions, and norms. Black and Latino culture which is also American culture does seem quite uniquely different to the white culture. At the same time all Americans of whatever background you have does seem to have its own blanket culture.
>You could pretty much band all the white people culture in US into the same social behaviors, institutions, and norms. And I'd argue that you couldn't. I'd argue there's a massive difference between the average "white" guy who grew up in the deep south vs the average "white" guy who grew up on the west coast. >Black and Latino culture which is also American culture does seem quite uniquely different to the white culture I would argue it's ingrained into the overall American culture. From music to food, to how people dress to the arts. It's all intertwined. >At the same time all Americans of whatever background you have does seem to have its own blanket culture. Exactly
Yeah honestly fuck that mentality.
I am a white person. And it upsets me when white racists talk about america being their country and all, when we r••ed and murdered and shipped "native americans" all over to 'claim' this land.. native to america, they are brown people. They are not white..
Is this unpopular?
Where I live, it is, at least with our elders.
That I can understand, sure. But even then, is it REally? Or is it only unpopular out loud?
I see a lot of people use culture as an excuse for poor behavior or shitty ideals
Most people around the world look at how self-loathing many Americans have become, and they don't find it admirable
I think it’s a good thing to a degree. White people and western culture is over the top critical of their own culture to the point of being absolutely unable to stand up for it
This is a very popular opinion among young people. However, Id like to warn about being critical of your culture to people outside of it. You think they're sympathetic, but often theyre just listening for excuses to be racist to your culture.
Ingrate much?