One of the interesting things about
cultures is that they affect the things you notice in everyday life and in
stories. For example, last week I watched the movie Soul Surfer with a group of people here in Taipei. The movie tells the
story of Bethany Hamilton, a surfer who lost her arm in a shark attack.
As
an American, I looked at the movie as Bethany’s story. I was inspired by her
courage and determination to pursue her passion, surfing, in spite of the huge
obstacle she faced. I was even more inspired when she realized that success as
a surfer was only a small part of what life is about. She came to see loving
people as more important than winning competitions and became a much more
generous, caring person.
My
local friends, though, had a different perspective. Certainly they approved of
Bethany’s persistence. But they were equally impressed, if not more so, with
her family. They pointed out how supportive Bethany’s parents and brothers were
and how they encouraged her in her hard times. And once they said this, I
realized that it was true.
Movies,
books and spoken stories are a product of culture, but they are also a way of
expressing truth. Often, there is more truth buried in the story than any one
person will notice. This is why people have book clubs and why people like to
watch movies in groups. But when the people gathered come from many cultures,
the experience becomes even richer.
