At the core of the multiculturalist credo is the idea that there are no better or worse ways of doing anything cultural. There are just different ways, all of which can and should be perfectly equally embraced and celebrated (with the exception, of course, of all ways that can be associated with “colonizer/oppressor” peoples). The doctrine of cultural relativism in anthropology gets at it with clarity. All cultures came up with their own unique ways, through whatever cultural challenges they faced. And each one is perfect in its own way, and there is no way to evaluate them.
This is, of course, foolishness.
But around this time of year, I find myself in the rare position of tipping my hat to a cultural practice that the multiculturalist despisers of American culture love to celebrate, even if they always do it in a way that distracts from the actual content of the practice, which is both conservative and Christian — two things the multiculturalists dislike intensely. This is the Mexican cultural practice of the Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead.
Beyond Celebrating the Dead
For those with no knowledge of this important piece of Mexican culture, and especially if you have young children, I highly encourage you to have a look at the 2017 film “Coco.” It gives a fairly accurate presentation of the meaning of the ritual in traditional Mexico in terms that even a child can understand.
Abuelita Elena’s explanation to Miguel is admirable
