Essay Sample on Modern Generations: Are Traditional Roots Lost Forever?

Introduction

The traditional roots of society are hard to understand by most of the modern generations. Most people of the past decades would die to stand for their cultural backgrounds. They would not deviate from their traditions even at a price. However, society today reflects people who have little knowledge about their origin and would quickly identify themselves with a different culture to avoid conflicts with the law. An excellent example of cultural variation is depicted in the Borders by Thomas King and Jesus Shaves by David Sedaris. This paper focuses on the various ways through which the main characters deal with the cultural challenges in their societies.

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The "Borders" displays Thomas, Laetitia, and their mother. The three are of the Blackfoot origin, which implies they could either be of Canadian or American origin. Blackfoot refers to people who belong to a particular country, yet their land was snatched from them, making them homeless. When the siblings are growing up, Laetitia aspires to go to Salt Lake City in America, an adventure inspired by her American boyfriend (King 44). When she is fully grown and out of school, she eventually lands a job in Salt Lake sometime after breaking up with her boyfriend. Laetitia informs her mother that she will be leaving the reserve to America for a good job offer. Her mother does not resist as Laetitia insists that she can do as she pleases since their father is American. After some time, she sends postcards to her family of the good life she experiences in the new country.

King's sister has a good job, a beautiful apartment, and is happy. Laetitia's mother and brother plan to visit her after some time. However, they do not cross the path without a fight. The proud mother of two refuses to give her identity to the guards at the border. The mother insists that they are Blackfoot and refutes to being either Canadian or American. The family of three lives in the Canadian reserves and have an Irish, Chekoree, and German descent. The author was born in California and has spent most of his career life in Canada, currently in Minnesota. The mixed-up origin led to their identity as the Blackfoot people who have various origins. During their visit to America, the two fail to convince the guards as to whether they are American's or Canadians. Alarmingly, the author points out that he would readily answer the question by identifying them as Blackfoot Canadians. Nonetheless, his idea would not be taken seriously since he is a minor. Their mother's stance as a Blackfoot astonishes many, and the media accord her respect when they finally manage their way to Salt Lake City.

King's mother shows patriotism to her identity ads a Blackfoot. She does not let the law deviate her from who she is. King, on the other hand, wishes they would not have gone through all the drama if she stated her identity as a Canadian since they live in the country's reserves. At the end of it all, King is proud of his mothers' ego and ascertains that he will end up that way, too (King 45). He also eventually appreciates his origin and wishes all people could be as firm as her mother. The piece reflects an era where discrimination occurs based on one's origin forcing most people to change their citizenship to what suits the law.

David Sedaris gives a humorous essay on the cultural diversities entitled "Jesus Shaves." The essay presents Sedaris during one of his French Classes in Paris, France. Being of American origin, he is new to the French language and does not understand the various vocabularies in the language. It is the same case with his classmates, who are majorly from Italy, Morocco, and Poland. The students are all learning the use of the personal pronoun "one." The cultural diversities appear when the teacher asks, "And what does one do on Easter." The question stirs a mixture of reactions from the audience as each student gives their ideas on what Easter means. It happens after the Moroccan student asks what exactly is meant by Easter since she is of the Islam religion (Sedaris 6). Whereas most students give their explanations, it turns out that language barriers and lack of the right French vocabularies deter them from giving the right answers. It also comes out that the students fumble with the right words since they have a little knowledge of what Christianity is. Most of the students have never understood their religious backgrounds or what the festivities mean.

Sedaris gives his opinion in a "Me Talk One Day," mentioning that he was raised by a Protestant mother in an American country. Whereas they write of Greek Protestants, they had to adhere to the various activities of the Easter performed by either community. He had no intentions of religious attachments until when he is fully grown. During the class session, he discovers that even their teacher holds little sentiments on religion (Sedaris 7). Sedaris then things that maybe it would be different if they were able to communicate fluently in the French language. However, he also mentions that matters of religion can only be understood and expressed through faith. Whatever one believes in, so they become.

Comparatively, both of the main characters are aware of their origin. The teacher's opinion could as well be compared to that of King's mother. Despite lacking tangibility in defense of her opinion on Easter culture, the teacher stands that the French people's practice and belief are real. In the same context, King's mother maintains her stance as a Blackfoot until she is granted permission without the identity as either Canadian or American. In both cases, the characters have a belief in what they are expressing. King's mother believes that her identity cannot be compromised even in the eyes of the law. Sedaris, on the other hand, believes that it is faith that can make one understand religion with ease.

Whereas Sedaris stands to his opinion of the Easter as he challenges the teacher's point of view, King agrees with the guards and is willing to identify himself as a Blackfoot Canadian. The situation portrays Sedaris as confident in his opinion since he fails to agree with his teacher's opinion. On the contrary, King is in a dilemma. At first, he is willing to identify his family as Canadian Blackfoot. Later on, he agrees with his mother on her stance. It shows confusion and a lack of aggressiveness in character. Nonetheless, as King has advanced in the writing career, he does not identify himself with any nationality but uses his position to criticize the citizenship offered by many countries (King 47).

Conclusion

Conclusively, this essay entails a brief comparison between the two texts, "Borders" and Jesus Shaves. Both texts portray a variation in culture between societies and how the main characters deal with the challenge. Both characters learn to accept their origin. However, King chooses a career path that gives an understanding of other traditions through critics, while Sedaris maintains his stance on believing g before learning. Sedaris believes in faith with religion or traditions, while King believes in acceptance and patriotism as a way of cultural identity. Either way, the characters have given a good view of the conflict in culture through critique and humor, respectively.

Works Cited

King, Thomas. "Borders." World Literature Today 66.2 (1992): 269-273.

Sedaris, David. Me talk pretty one day. Hachette UK, 2010.