The concept of cultural repair is not a clearly defined theory or activity – and that’s probably how it should be.
So it’s a bit silly to come up with the Five Steps of Cultural Repair, of which this video is Step 2.
But I frame it like this because it helps me think about foundational concepts, which I do think are important, as long as we also remember they are ongoing processes, not static theoretical positions.
I also frame it like this because brains, mine at least but probably not only, struggle with the vast complexity of cultural repair work and I sometimes need relief from complexity, and nothing creates relief like Five Steps to Something Something.
I do think cultural repair work requires us to expand our capacity for complexity, unknowing, and the discomfort of both – but just like building physical muscles, rest time is essential for growth.
Your thoughts?
How have you connected to your cultural heritage? What ways have you found to live this tradition in contemporary ways? Share in the comments please! I’m always interested in new ideas on this – it’s such an ongoing process.