These are the introductory lines to the UNDP Human Development Report 2004. Was deeply touched by them. The subtitle that runs below the header, ‘Cultural liberty in today’s diverse world’. Made me smile. Made me happy. Blah Blah. I know it’s terribly sappy and mush filled. But once in a while, we are all entitled to our share of being crappily sentimental, non?
As always, please do scream about copyright issues if any. This little piece has a picture of handprints just above it. :-)
Handprints. Across time, cultures and continents they carry the message, “I am”.
I am an artist of the Peistocene. I left my handprint in caves from Gibraltar to Tasmania.
I am a five-year-old child. I hope to start school in 2005 and learn in my own language.
I am a worker in the city, but I am also an elder of my people, a caretaker and teacher of our beliefs and customs.
Culture is the most enduring artifact of humanity, and humans have flourished on the Earth
mainly through culture. Family, tribe, chiefdom, nation-state.
I am my language, my symbols, my beliefs.
I am. We are.