Being 'cultured' is something most people either aspire to, or insist on bragging about. I, for one, used to underestimate myself on educational trips to galleries and museums, amongst more affluent and so called 'cultured people'. Previously, I'd put myself down at my differing interests to the majority of those around me in various 'cultured' institutions, be it those directly related to the arts, education or entertainment. At the age of 22 now, I believe myself to be very cultured even if my lifestyle or conduct may not adhere to what the supposed definition of being cultured entails.
As young as I can remember myself, I adored books and reading everything and anything in general (I still enjoy reading to this day). But most of the books I read were fiction during my formative years, I had a thrill of getting absorbed into someone else's reality and learning a valuable lesson even from fictitious story. It was only till I stared secondary school, I began reading books by Jane Austen and the marvellous works of Margaret Atwood and Charles Dickens. These books being part of an abstract concept of a canon was beyond me, I realised the actuality later on. I am now a final year student at uni studying for a BA in Media and Cultural Studies, which is the study of media alongside a combination of humanities-based disciplines such as anthropology, sociology, history etc. As you can imagine, this requires me to read very widely, and mostly, if not only, academic texts. For this reason, I now view myself more cultured as I am learning about the world through a self-informative way, than when I was obsessed with classical English literature. Mind you, I am not dissing the literature that consists of the contents of the canon, as I believe the greatest works provide great wisdom, and so should be studied and appreciated by all those that can.
Aside from my university studies, I take huge pride in studying and acquiring knowledge on a range of topics on all sides of the spectrum. I do so by reading non-fiction information books on historical aspects of the world, scientific journals, by watching engaging and informative documentaries on the controversies and concerning subjects existent in our world and personal realities. Being a Muslim also, one of our duties is to seek ilm (knowledge) in regards to our religion, there is always something more to learn. At the moment, I am refining my knowledge of prophetic stories and have just made the intention to grasp the language of Arabic fully. One of my goals for this year is to speak fluently and write in Arabic In Shaa Allah (God Willing), even though I can only read the Arabic in a Qur'an. Surely investing my time and efforts into learning the most beautiful language of all time is a very cultured thing to do, isn't it?
I think one of the most significant factors that make me cultured lies in the fact that I know and mix with people from range of social and ethnic backgrounds and ages, people from all walks of life. I can sit with practising Muslims and have a fruitful and enlightening conversations about our religion, I can write alongside Guardian journalists, I can walk the streets of Brixton with thugs but reason with them. I can dance with fairies and plot with devils or fly with the angels. I am a people's person and so my interest in people is varied, just like all the other finer things in life. But honestly, having friends both younger and older than me, my oldest friend being in their early 30s and these friends originating from all parts of the world has taught me so much about their way of living and their culture. What a way to get cultured by educating one's own self about other people's cultures? As a result of having many friends from Afro-Caribbean backgrounds, I have become addicted to plantain and salt fish and ackee. Yum Yum. I have also learned the love and warmth behind Caribbean vernacular inflected jokes, to which outsiders may sound rude or discerning.Also, my taste in music continually transforms as I have a diverse and numerous set of friends who share with me their favourite songs, these cover all genres, Bashment, House, RnB, Pop and Rap.
Having friends from a range of ethnic backgrounds, has opened doors for me in learning off and consuming a rage of cuisine. Towards the end of last year, I tasted Lebanon food for the first time in Edgware road and I have promised myself a visit there again very soon. Just typing away about food is getting me hungry - I plan to go to a Mexican food place sometime this month with one of my friends, I cannot wait! What a way to get cultured - to eat different types of food and have a whale of a time whilst doing so?
In an age of digital revolution, being cultured has transformed entirely. You have to have some sort of online presence to be cultured - a blog, a Twitter page, Instagram .. something. Even if it is your LinkedIn page. I regularly tweet articles from journalistic organisations for my followers to read and engage with, as well as producing short viral videos and taking the odd selfie here and there for a compliment or two. On the more serious side, I write articles on controversial news stories, making my political position and personal opinion very clear. Adding to internet culture is so important, as this is where the majority are now accessing and distributing information, art and content. To consume it, you have to be a part f it, therefore a cultured person is one who keeps up with social trends!
Moving on, it is often said that those who read well, write well. As much as being cultured is about reading, it is also about writing. I often write poems when I am feeling down, as I believe during your most lowest points, you produce the most heart-felt, deep, quality art. I have previously written a short film, a short story and endless poems. How could I not be cultured?
As for places I go, the last time I travelled out the country was about six years ago. I am always in London as a matter of fact, but I am very conscious of my surroundings. I always have a notebook and pen with me so that I am able to jot down an interesting conversation/line I overheard, something interesting I saw, the contact details for the next J.K Rowling ..anything to elevate me in some shape, form or another. Although, I think this is a superb way in attempting to be cultured, I have made a pact this year to visit as many museums and galleries as possible.
If you had asked me five years ago, if I thought I was cultured, I would've drooped my head in shame and nodded no. But now, I am assertive that I am cultured and that there is a multitude of ways in examining the definition of this concept. At age 22, I believe I am very well-rounded with a vast amount of knowledge and interest in current and world affairs, history of the globe and that I have good taste and sound judgement. I am cultured, and your opinion won't change that!
Aside from my university studies, I take huge pride in studying and acquiring knowledge on a range of topics on all sides of the spectrum. I do so by reading non-fiction information books on historical aspects of the world, scientific journals, by watching engaging and informative documentaries on the controversies and concerning subjects existent in our world and personal realities. Being a Muslim also, one of our duties is to seek ilm (knowledge) in regards to our religion, there is always something more to learn. At the moment, I am refining my knowledge of prophetic stories and have just made the intention to grasp the language of Arabic fully. One of my goals for this year is to speak fluently and write in Arabic In Shaa Allah (God Willing), even though I can only read the Arabic in a Qur'an. Surely investing my time and efforts into learning the most beautiful language of all time is a very cultured thing to do, isn't it?
I think one of the most significant factors that make me cultured lies in the fact that I know and mix with people from range of social and ethnic backgrounds and ages, people from all walks of life. I can sit with practising Muslims and have a fruitful and enlightening conversations about our religion, I can write alongside Guardian journalists, I can walk the streets of Brixton with thugs but reason with them. I can dance with fairies and plot with devils or fly with the angels. I am a people's person and so my interest in people is varied, just like all the other finer things in life. But honestly, having friends both younger and older than me, my oldest friend being in their early 30s and these friends originating from all parts of the world has taught me so much about their way of living and their culture. What a way to get cultured by educating one's own self about other people's cultures? As a result of having many friends from Afro-Caribbean backgrounds, I have become addicted to plantain and salt fish and ackee. Yum Yum. I have also learned the love and warmth behind Caribbean vernacular inflected jokes, to which outsiders may sound rude or discerning.Also, my taste in music continually transforms as I have a diverse and numerous set of friends who share with me their favourite songs, these cover all genres, Bashment, House, RnB, Pop and Rap.
Having friends from a range of ethnic backgrounds, has opened doors for me in learning off and consuming a rage of cuisine. Towards the end of last year, I tasted Lebanon food for the first time in Edgware road and I have promised myself a visit there again very soon. Just typing away about food is getting me hungry - I plan to go to a Mexican food place sometime this month with one of my friends, I cannot wait! What a way to get cultured - to eat different types of food and have a whale of a time whilst doing so?
In an age of digital revolution, being cultured has transformed entirely. You have to have some sort of online presence to be cultured - a blog, a Twitter page, Instagram .. something. Even if it is your LinkedIn page. I regularly tweet articles from journalistic organisations for my followers to read and engage with, as well as producing short viral videos and taking the odd selfie here and there for a compliment or two. On the more serious side, I write articles on controversial news stories, making my political position and personal opinion very clear. Adding to internet culture is so important, as this is where the majority are now accessing and distributing information, art and content. To consume it, you have to be a part f it, therefore a cultured person is one who keeps up with social trends!
Moving on, it is often said that those who read well, write well. As much as being cultured is about reading, it is also about writing. I often write poems when I am feeling down, as I believe during your most lowest points, you produce the most heart-felt, deep, quality art. I have previously written a short film, a short story and endless poems. How could I not be cultured?
As for places I go, the last time I travelled out the country was about six years ago. I am always in London as a matter of fact, but I am very conscious of my surroundings. I always have a notebook and pen with me so that I am able to jot down an interesting conversation/line I overheard, something interesting I saw, the contact details for the next J.K Rowling ..anything to elevate me in some shape, form or another. Although, I think this is a superb way in attempting to be cultured, I have made a pact this year to visit as many museums and galleries as possible.
If you had asked me five years ago, if I thought I was cultured, I would've drooped my head in shame and nodded no. But now, I am assertive that I am cultured and that there is a multitude of ways in examining the definition of this concept. At age 22, I believe I am very well-rounded with a vast amount of knowledge and interest in current and world affairs, history of the globe and that I have good taste and sound judgement. I am cultured, and your opinion won't change that!