Elements of Culture

Photographer Dino Celestino
Models Elise Armstrong
Toledo, OH.

ELEMENTS of cultural norms; symbols, language, values, art, traditions, etc., are the unwritten shared rules, beliefs and expectations in a shared group or society.
Language makes social interaction possible and influences how people perceive each other and conceive concepts. When the vibe of language is poor, and harsh words the norm, cohesion is endangered.

Distinguished or assumed American core values are taught throughout childhood, mainly in school, as examples of good and moral character; Freedom, Democracy, Education, Individualism, Achievement/ Success, Activity/Work, Efficiency, Science, Progress, Humanitarianism, Romantic Love

Socially, a nation’s media sources (news, movies, radio, television, etc..) and political speeches (having the broadest reach) are the key sources in teaching core values and unifying beliefs.

In the U.S., elected leadership has the responsibility to maintain institutions which provide oversight; to enforce regulations protecting public order, costs, health, opportunity, etc., and uphold all sectors of our social systems to a code of ethics, just as laws should be in place to protect citizens.

It’s expected of citizens to obey laws in place to protect each other and maintain oversight on elected leadership. Corporate captured leadership has a propensity to implement laws that generate revenue. It’s up to citizens to hold leadership responsible for enforcing regulations to prevent corporate capture and ensuring all sectors of our social systems adhere to a code of ethics.

The U.S. Constitution derives its power From the People themselves; a principle known as popular sovereignty. “We the People,” signifies that the authority of the federal government is not derived from states or a monarch, and declares a Free (emancipated) government vested in its citizens, ensuring equal and individual rights (as opposed to cloaked-functional-terms such as “Corporate personhood” and” Citizens United”).