[Leica] Piercings and Tatoos

[nathan.wajsman at planet.nl (Nathan Wajsman)]

Well, I feel like I understand quite a few different cultures because of 
my rather nomadic life, the international family I am part of, my Puerto 
Rican wife etc. I agree with Dennis' sentiment that we should respect 
the fact that things are done differently in other cultures/religions, 
but I do not agree that this implies that they are all equally valid, 
particularly in modern, liberal societies like the US or Europe. An 
arranged marriage, for me, is beyond the pale in the 21st century, as 
is, for example, female circumcision--which after all, also is grounded 
in a strong cultural tradition. In Denmark there have been cases of 
parents sending their daughters to Somalia to undergo this type of 
mutilation, and of parents sending their daughters to rural Turkey or 
Pakistan for an arranged marriage against their will. Both types of 
activities are illegal, and rightly so.

As someone who has lived most of his life as an immigrant in four 
different countries, I say that if someone wants to live like that, then 
they should do so in South Asia or wherever this type of tradition is 
considered normal. My guiding motto on this type of issue is the 
wonderful American expression, "shit or get off the pot."

Strong family ties are all well and good, but not if they manifest 
themselves in coercion or in practices that are unacceptable to the 
wider society. Some decades ago the Mormons had to accept that polygamy 
was not acceptable in the United States and they abandoned this 
tradition (yes, I am aware of the splinter groups that still cling to 
it, but mainstream Mormons do not). As far as I can tell from the Mormon 
friends and co-workers I had in the US, this has not had any negative 
impact on their family ties or ability to practice their religion.

BTW, we know several South Asians (as evident from my latest PAWs), many 
Muslims among them, who all live in thoroughly modern, voluntary 
marriages, in many cases to "infidels."

Nathan

Dennis Painter wrote:

> This is a very interesting set of photos. One certainly needs to know a
> bit of what's going on here to understand them. I am glad that Tina is
> working on this project as I doubt anyone could do better than her.
> Despite that I am not sure photographs will lead to greater
> understanding.
> 
> Much has been said of and about different cultures and cultural
> differences.  Here are my beliefs.
> 
> It's almost impossible to truly understand another culture. Perhaps if
> you know all the history, can read the language, and live within that
> culture for years, then, you might really understand.
> 
> If you apply your standards, your culture, against another you are lost
> to understanding.
> 
> The best way of "understanding" is to accept that what they believe and
> do is correct to their way of life and culture. Respect their culture.
> This helps greatly to avoid forming prejudice in your mind.
> 
> It's hard for me to put this into words.
> 
> 
> 

-- 
Nathan Wajsman
Almere, The Netherlands

General photography: http://www.nathanfoto.com
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