Someone asked me this yesterday and my answer was “no.” I find Ventura County to be culturally wealthy. I think much of it is a bit below the radar, maybe that’s why it’s perceived as lacking.
The subject got me thinking a bit about the definition of “culture” and if we’re really clear as to its usage. I found this and i like it:
Culture is a definition highly misunderstood and misused, thus the need for an explanation:
Culture refers to the following Ways of Life, including but not limited to:
* Language : the oldest human institution and the most sophisticated medium of expression.
* Arts & Sciences : the most advanced and refined forms of human expression.
* Thought : the ways in which people perceive, interpret, and understand the world around them.
* Spirituality : the value system transmitted through generations for the inner well-being of human beings, expressed through language and actions.
* Social activity : the shared pursuits within a cultural community, demonstrated in a variety of festivities and life-celebrating events.
* Interaction : the social aspects of human contact, including the give-and-take of socialization, negotiation, protocol, and conventions.
All of the above collectively define the meaning of Culture.
If we are to accept this broad definition, then it would seem to follow that every community, from a family to a neighborhood to a city and so on, has its own culture.
Ours is deeply influenced by our location–the sea, agriculture, the landscape, the history–as well as our collective ancestries and the undeniable imprint of Latin America and native culture. For whatever reason, and maybe it is the landscape and the pace, but creative types seem to be drawn here and thus we are blessed with a rich pool of musicians, painters, sculptors, filmmakers, poets, dancers, authors, intellectuals and people whose very approach to daily life is thoughtful and inspiring.
Therefore, I say, no, I do not wish for more culture in Ventura County, I wish for enough time to experience the fullness of it.
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You might want to set up a wordpress poll asking what people think about the cultural offerings around Ventucky. I’m doing my best but it’s still really s…..y.
Seems to me that we lose too many of our creative sons and daughters to other places of the same size yet have more to offer. I would jump ship myself if not stuck in Ventuck because my family is here.