Culture is shaped by several important historical events. Some of these are the fall of Rome (usually dated to the year A.D. 476), which paved the way for the emergence of warring states in Europe with their own unique cultures. Another major event that shaped Western culture was the Black Death, which killed approximately a third to a half of Europe’s population. While the plague killed a large percentage of Europeans, it also strengthened and weakened Christianity.
As a concept, culture can be described as a shared way of life or set of beliefs. A group’s culture can be based on shared ethnicity, gender, customs, and values. In addition to shared beliefs and traditions, cultures can also be defined according to the objects of daily life, such as dress, food, and language. The words “culture” and “community” have a common etymology, and they share a common root, which is the Latin word colere, which means to cultivate.
In cultural appropriation, the dominant group uses or exploits a minority culture for commercial gain. For example, the 1990 music video “Vogue” by Madonna featured voguing, a dance developed in the gay drag ball subculture. Madonna made a profit off of this cultural practice, as it helped “Vogue” go double platinum in the United States. But the question of whether Madonna’s use of the technique was cultural appropriation remains unanswered.
Language is one of the most fundamental determinants of human behavior. People with good language skills can easily distinguish between a number from another if they know how to count. For example, tribes with poor numeracy cannot tell the difference between five and seven. They may even think of time in different ways. In contrast, Western cultures think of time as horizontal and Eastern cultures, which think of it vertically, are not able to differentiate between numbers from one another. In sum, the power of language is vital for understanding how people perceive colors, and socialization.
When discussing cultural heritage, we normally think of a single society, but that isn’t necessarily the case. Cultures and traditions are shaped by a selection process based on political and cultural considerations. For example, Pablo Picasso was influenced by the masks of African tribes and influenced his work. In the United States, freed African slaves built houses in the style of plantation mansions. These examples are just some examples of cultural heritage.
Cultural competence has several benefits for healthcare providers, including increased access to high-quality care for diverse populations. It also helps organizations to protect themselves legally and reduce the incidence of cultural collisions. Cultural competence also promotes a collegial and productive workplace. Furthermore, it increases the quality of care for patients and helps the organization to become more competitive. There are more benefits associated with cultural competence than simply reducing health disparities. Incorporating it into healthcare services is a vital step toward improving the quality of care.
The arts are often categorized by their mediums. For example, there are various forms of music, including classical and popular rock music. Other art forms include dance, stand-up comedy, and drama. They vary in style and are practiced for various purposes, including competition and physical fitness. Even sports and hobbies have their own cultures and subcultures. And, of course, there are the arts and crafts. Regardless of whether you choose to pursue classical arts or perform the arts, you can be sure that these disciplines will have something to say about your culture.