What is tradition? It’s a fascinating question to ponder. The definition – as I’ve learned it over the years is an old way, or THE old way, of doing something. Or it’s doing something because that’s the way we’ve always done it. What if that definition is wrong?
I’ve seen this quote a lot in the last few years. Sometimes this quote is attributed to a fictional character. Other times it is attributed or claimed by various online writers. Regardless of the origin, I think this fits for what tradition is.
“Tradition is peer pressure from dead people.”
Where I live is about as “traditional” as you can get in Canada – Eastern Ontario. Many old families, old towns, mostly white, old ways. Many of these communities are places that unless your father, your father’s father, and his father’s father before him were born in that community, you are a newcomer – even if you’ve lived in the community for 20 or 40 years. In many communities, you can see the us and them dichotomy that forms from this tradition.
Unless there is a mass migration that overruns a community with more newcomers than old-timers, progress does not happen. Tradition rears its ugly head and actively prevents progress. Tradition is holding on to the notion that great days will return by waiting for them. Sadly for tradition, progress works in a forward – not backward – motion. I believe this is why you see some communities progressing, and others mired in sameness.
Turning away from tradition is difficult. Not everyone has the fortitude to make that change. The pull of old expectations and that peer pressure from the living – and beyond – is difficult to shake off. If you can do so, there are rewards.
I grew up in a similar community to which I live now. Partly tourist-oriented, with a little bit of industry, and lots of hopes for the glory days to return. They didn’t start in that community until enough people decided it was time to shuck off traditional old ways of thinking.
Looking around the region, there are pockets of change which are refreshing. One area near where I live, has taken the plunge with two feet forward – changing how it does things. That area now has thriving industrial development, said yes to nearly everything that wants to move into the community, and is on the road to success. That success means growth, money for community, and progress.
I understand the resistance to change, to going against the traditions. Change is scary and those who might have knowledge and influence may see their role diminish. No one likes to be sidelined or downsized. When egos are involved, it is difficult not to see some bruises.
The alternative is to stall or more accurately, depreciate. Communities – in my view – are like currency. The buying power of a dollar today is less than the buying power of that same dollar 10 or 20 years ago. Every year, that buying power diminishes. Amenities age, sameness tires. New things become old. In order to grow, to attract, and to maintain what you have, tradition cannot be an anchor to hold back progress.
I think many people look at tradition and confuse it with history. To cast off tradition is not to erase history. History will still be there and remembered by those in a community. The two are independent of each other.
I really believe that in order for communities to grow, doing things the same way that has been done for generations needs to go. If something worked in 1900, or 1950, it does not mean that it works in 2024.
Tradition is peer pressure, not just from dead people, but from people who don’t want, or don’t like change.
Sadly, it is getting to the point when choosing a community to live in, you need to pick wisely and move to the places that have the amenities and services you want now – as the battle to improve areas to what you want is an increasingly difficult proposition. Tradition wins out over progress in many ways. Maybe tradition isn’t just peer pressure from dead people, but also from those who don’t want change.
This column was originally published in the June 19, 2024 print edition of The Morrisburg Leader.
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