Traditions are a way to conform individuals, and they play a major role in the reaction of society towards certain goals. People are often so engrossed in their traditions that they cannot distinguish between right and wrong. Shirley Jackson describes in “The Lottery”, how the choice of a particular family member to be stoned is so important that even when the decision is wrong, the consequences can be severe. The child who is in the closet suffers even when the decision to stone them is wrong. Beliefs can become so strong, they overpower the mind. It is impossible to make decisions that are based on what one truly believes.
Traditions and cultural influences should not be so strong in how people react and think, but instead serve as guidance to better understand life, its functions and different aspects. The subconscious brain part works without conscious awareness or active control. The suppressed brain part works with the past; that is, the thoughts, beliefs and actions already implanted by the awakened brain part. Culture has been embedded in our minds, and this influences the automatic way we think and make decisions. The subconscious mind plays a major role and feels safe in familiar environments and times. Jiddu Kumaramurti “Tradition, our security is in decline when the mind feels secure.”
The people in the “Lottery”, acted according to their beliefs and values that they were accustomed to. The brain reacts to fear by deciding what is good and bad subconsciously based on beliefs. In the “lottery”, it was shown that Tessie Hutchinson, despite believing the lottery to be good, stood by it. In order to avoid dying, the subconscious mind caused her to react by running or fighting. Tradition can have an impact on the brain, but in order to survive you must be willing to take risks. To break free from culture can take a great deal of willpower and determination. It is up to each individual to decide how much of a certain tradition they wish to absorb.
The “Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas”, the individuals who walked away, decided to go somewhere else they thought was best. It is not meant to be that one person suffers. A lot of people, even though they were raised Christian, do not believe that God exists. Christian means choosing to live a life that is in line with your beliefs and making decisions accordingly, knowing this tradition will not hurt another human being. Cultural humility does not stop when you break away from wrong traditions. It is just that some people choose to believe it. Traditions should be used as a guide, not to force people to adopt a certain belief. Traditions were created centuries ago as a way to determine the people’s background and let them know it. Traditions and cultures are beliefs and lessons that need to be taught to suppress and teach. It’s not fair to force someone to believe what you do. In “Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas”, the people present did not make the person who saw the child choose to stay. They let the individual decide whether or not to stay.
Traditions should not affect the way we think or act. They are more of a guideline to determine how life works and what it is all about. It is not just about what a tradition means to you, but also how far it goes. A person should be able to understand and review the meaning behind what they believe. If you know about the bad or good traditions in advance, it will reduce how many people will react.
