2008 Summer Culture Tour/History

Originally posted on Facebook:

June 16, 2008 at 10:17am

The Making of My Concept of Culture:
We’ve all been raised with a certain set of traditions and beliefs that makes us who we are. Everything that we do is a part of a culture. Although we’ve all been taught to take pride in our own culture, we’ve also been taught to respect the culture of others.My culture isn’t necessarily defined as “African-American”, its what I do. MY culture is MY own traditions and beliefs. So I’m speaking for myself here.

My whole concept of the idea of ‘culture’ came from a point last year when I realized how conservative I was with my own culture. I ate the usual things. I listened to the usual music. I went to the usual places. And even though, in most cases, those experiences were great… it limited me. It limited me…from learning, from different perspectives, from relating to others.

After a while, if you keep doing the same things…you eventually top off. The learning curve goes flat, and you’ve pretty much have learned all you can from that experience. That’s why it is so important to me to get out of my own box.

Let me try to relate to you a little better…

Freshmen/Sophmore year… I was in a box. For those from UT, let’s call it, the “Jester Box”. I did everything that a 18-year-old African-American UT freshmen was suppose to do in Austin. I ate in JCL. I studied [not really] in the JCL . I went to Spiros. I went to every party during relays….every probate…every program. I snuck into a few West Campus parties. I hooped at Gregory. I stayed up til’ 4AM in the Jester West Lobby.

And nothing was wrong with that [per se]. I experienced it. I learned from it. But it was around junior year after I turned 21 and officially had a car that I realized that Austin had so much more to offer [and I mean more than just 21+ bars]. There was so much more socially to do than 6th street on a Friday night. Ever been to the Arboretum? Ever been running on Town Lake at 6AM and see the swans? Ever been to Alamo Draft House? Tubing? A wholesome West Campus house party [that you're invited to] ? Carver Museum?

…And I see that as a microcosm of what the whole world has to offer. My culture is just a minority percentage [no pun intended] of everything out there for me to experience.

Take this analogy that I usually share with everyone: Have you ever been to a restaurant and ordered something out of the ordinary? No cheeseburger or chicken tenders…something ‘outside your culture’. Perhaps something you’ve never tried, or can’t pronounce. …and then you realize that you really LOVE it.

One more common analogy of mine: Have you ever heard a song for the first time that blew your mind? Only to find out that this song has been out for 20+ years. And you think to yourself, “Dang, I’ve been sleeping on this song.” “Where have I been?”

Excuse my enthusiasm, but I get a rush out of moments like that. You’ll never know how great Pan-grilled Tilipia is if you keep eating cheeseburgers. You’ll never hear that song that changes your perspective of life if you just buy Alicia Keys CDs [I'm talking to myself here].

THAT is the spirit of the Culture Tour.

I know what some of you are thinking. “Justin, you bougie…”

Uh…no. Well, maybe..but in a good way. I’m proud of the ‘culture’ that I was raised on, and have no problem with experiencing it. I’m not above my own culture, nor do I believe that I’ve learned everything. But if you allow me to get a bit cheesy for a moment…’The world is getting smaller everyday, and if I intend to impact the world as I do with my talents and skills, then I’m going to have experience the world as much as I can.’

Tour Dates:
As I said, everything is a part of a culture. Food. Music. Church. Arts. Entertainment. Work. Politics. Everything. I intend to have a well-rounded tour of new experiences for me this summer while I have time and my money is fresh. If you have suggestions for this summer, post them.

Also, If you’re in town, let me know, cause nothing is worse than not having people to experience the culture with. Seriously.

Weekly events:
Restaurant Tour (alternating locations)
Happy Hours (alternating locations)

Sunday, June 15th:
Joel Olsteen Ministries-11AM
Lakewood Church, Houston, TX
“The largest and fast growing church in America”
http://www.lakewood.cc/site/PageServer?pagename=LCH_index

Tuesday, June 16th:
Carl Thomas and other jazz artists -8-12PM
Red Cat Cafe, Houston, TX
http://www.redcatjazzcafe.com/

Wednesday, June 17th:
Young Professional in Energy – Intern Reception – 5:30PM
The Cadillac Bar, Houston Texas
http://www.ypenergy.org/en/cev/?88

The Roots – 9PM
Warehouse Live, Houston, TX
http://www.warehouselive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=EventDetail&EventID=547

Thursday, June 18th:
Improv Comedy Club – 8PM
Houston, TX
http://www.improv2.com/v3/index.php

Saturday, June 20th:
Schlitterbahn – All Day
San Marcos, TX
“The hottest coolest spot in Texas….come play”
http://www.schlitterbahn.com/

Notable upcoming events/tasks:
Justin’s Blog
Five 5enses video

Considered Events:
Essence Festival – 7/4-7/6 – New Orleans, LA

The Culture Tour will be updated weekly, if not, daily with pictures, events, and analysis. Stay tuned.

~ by justinfication on June 23, 2008.