A CULTURE OF LEARNING

Once upon a time, were were immigrants with relatively common roots. Our language, religion, work ethic, governance, the structure of our communities, all aspects were heavily influenced.  Across a huge landscape, our new pioneering communities took the names of our homelands- too many to list, and so not to forget we were a new land, we appropriated language of first nations. Kanata, Ottawa, Toronto are a few popular versions that blended with Kingston, London, Cambridge and Oxford. People crossed a fierce ocean for opportunity, and of course brought with them the values and culture of their home. Sociologists have taken up this phenomena and observed those who left tend to rigidly adhere to the snapshot in time when they left as if adapting is a sign of disloyalty. Meanwhile, back at home, change and progress continues uninterrupted. Today, racial tensions being what they are, in a struggle for equality we see concern for cultural appropriation which through a masonic lense seems paradoxical. We know where our feet are planted but we also strive to be connected with a very unusual culture that  has made inroads in most countries around the world. Eventually old cultures stabilize and take on idiosyncrasies. At the start, we have an advantage of willing cultural exchange within the closed culture of freemasonry.  We know, it takes resources in large numbers and sustained to achieve the heights epitomized by symbols of great european cathedrals and castles. And we know adapting old culture is well served when we have an in-depth understanding of what we are doing.  You may disagree, but I don't think its resonable to suggest this will be uncomplicated. Life is not a script and emerging cultures, like being a new parent doesn't come with a manual. We can prepare only up to a limit. Then we wing it, using what is available.  We have setbacks and we prevail- trial and error- scientific method.