Travel Frees You From Prejudice

by Jul 30, 2019Lifestyle, Travel, Travel Tips

Travel Frees You From Prejudice

Written By: Gail Clifford | Published By: Life By Design| July 30, 2019

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.”

– Mark Twain

Travel as a positive political act. It opens your mind to new experiences. With political noise encasing us, travel serves two purposes. It reduces our own prejudice and those towards Americans in the countries we visit.

When I first heard of this issue’s Freedom focus, I thought of Norman Rockwell’s series of paintings. Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Worship, Freedom from Want, and Freedom from Fear. How much we can still learn from them today.

Go to another country, especially one that doesn’t speak English or any other language you may speak. Despite the inability to communicate easily, you sense which of these four freedoms you keep.

Can you still communicate in your new country? Are they still generally kind and helpful? Are women treated respectfully, or as second-class citizens?

Do you have the ability to worship as you choose when you’re home? Many countries suffer from no access to an actual persecution. If you can worship, count your blessings.

Freedom from Want is an early indicator of travel. If you can’t afford your life at home, it’s rare to have the means to travel. You can see the level of poverty in your host country. Is it a first-world country with a homeless issue like ours? Is it a third-world country with too many living below the profound poverty line? How do you help those in need where you’re visiting? Ask before you attempt to help. In Peru, my good intentions, to take candy bars for the children, could have led to bodily injury. I heeded the advice proffered.

READ MORE

0 Comments

Share via
Facebook
X (Twitter)
LinkedIn
Mix
Email
Print
Copy Link
Powered by Social Snap
Copy link
CopyCopied
Powered by Social Snap