Londonderry News

Dear Mr. Culture,
In the health-conscious low-fat exercise crazed I-can’t-believe-it’s-not-butter world we live in, I was wondering – is Culture good for ones health?
~ Health Junkie

Dear Health Junkie,
An excellent question that deserves a thorough succinct response – Yes.

Well, maybe that is too succinct, and, I must admit, thoroughly lacking in thoroughness, but before I delve further into your question, I would ask you to ponder – what, exactly, is your definition of the word “Culture”?

Chances are, if you are like most people, you hold to a narrow view of culture, painting it into the abstract expressionistic corner of “high minded art”.  To you the word “Culture” probably conjures up visions of symphony orchestras, Shakespeare in the Park, ballets, and stuffy galleries filled with pretentious art patrons who hold their cocktails with their pinkies extended.  While all of these can certainly provide a rich cultural experience, they are only the tip of the iceberg: which, unfortunately, is too often transformed into a pedestal of the unattainable, where only those with the prerequisite “acquired tastes” dare to approach the altars of elite “culture”. This limited, limiting, view only serves to divide us into two camps – those who can see the emperor’s new clothes and those who buy elaborate velvet renderings of the King – Elvis.

Well, pardon me, but my definition refuses to be constrained within the neatly typed columns found in most dictionaries. Instead, it spills out into the pristine one-inch margins, tumbling down the page in a torrent of expansive inclusiveness. Maybe it’s because I prefer to use the Webster Children’s Dictionary, first edition; I find the illustrations more interesting, but whatever the reason – I see “Culture” as a force for unification, not Balkanization (occasionally I use a big people’s thesaurus).  I know, call me crazy – given all the usual discussions of this culture vs. that culture, we generally tend to focus on the differences.  But I prefer to peal away the outward unique shell and focus, instead, on the underlying commonalities expressed by various cultures.

Even within one’s own sphere of influence you will find various pockets of cultural expression. These include civic groups, schools, churches, performers, government, sports leagues, farms, artists, politics, athletes, marching bands, mom and pop enterprises, open space, large commercial chains, dance studios, parks, theatre groups, historical societies, video gaming conferences… the list goes on and on and varies from region to region, but when sewn together, like a home spun patchwork quilt, they all create the unique fabric that gives a community its own special character.

I’ll admit, I could go on for some time, continuing to crack open the ivory tower view of what it means to “get culture”. But if I were to stick to my initial attempt to offer a succinct answer, one that could possibly be distilled down to a catchy phrase that you might find on the side of a coffee mug, I would have to say that, ‘Culture is the cumulative result of the individual pursuit of happiness’.  Actually, that would look rather nice on an individual hot beverage container.

So, my prescription for a healthy life – eat your vegetables, exercise, and, by all means, pursue some happiness to get your daily dose of needed culture.

Sincerely,
Mr. Culture

P.S. If you happen to be one of those pretentious arts patrons, I would suggest having your extended pinkie condition looked at by a doctor.

Mr. Culture is the brain child of playwright, author, and long time Londonderry resident, Donald Tongue. More of these whimsical advice columns, centered around everyday cultural experiences, can also be found at askMrCulture.com – where you are are welcome to comment and submit you own cultural questions. He can also be reached by email at ask(at)askMrCulture.com. Mr. Culture would love to hear from you and have the opportunity to field your questions about Londonderry culture.