Personal Narrative: The Arapesh

The Arapesh are known to be gentle, sensitive to others, and cooperative. In class, they were described as friendly and supportive as well as trusting. An example used was of a child running the perimeter of town and receiving support from every adult. They all treated this one child as their own and the atmosphere was so pure and positive. I must admit however this example lead my mind off track and into a sort of dream. With this concept I raised three questions. If these people only know the trusting world they live in, how can they travel the world? If everyone lived in this society, could there be such thing as a perfect world? Lastly, I found myself wondering if I would want to live in a world where I trusted everyone.

With my own experiences

traveling outside of the United States, I have found it shocking. The people are different, the food is different, the daily tasks are different. Even on a lower scale the experiences can differ. For example living on campus. I walk out my door every morning and someone will be there to hold it open or I will hold the door open for another student. This is simple and has become something I don't even think of now. A few weeks ago I went home and this boy, roughly the same age as myself, slammed the door on me at a gas station. I was appalled! Taking into account my own exposure to diversity, I can’t help but to wonder how the Arapesh would survive. I admit I can be naive and a little too trusting sometimes, however, the Arapesh are taught to be trusting and sensitive to others. I have at least been raised to be conscious of the worlds dangers. We have all heard the phrase ‘trust no one’. The world is such a scary place to have that kind of attitude.
The friendly atmosphere may work with a clan of ten people or maybe up to a town of one hundred, but we cannot expect the world to uphold such a cooperative environment. The question of creating a perfect world leads to eliminating evil. And that task is nearly impossible. There couldn’t be jealousy, or favoritism, or a trace of hatred. Growing up, witnessing the acts of bullying, of terrorism, the acts of hatred, its impossible to think a place so innocent as Arapesh exists. While the world may not turn out perfect, the qualities the Arapesh have in their society could be used in every society.
Ultimately, I personally could not live in a world where I trust everyone and everybody is so cooperative and sensitive. Leaving that environment would create such trauma. And with a passion for traveling I would have to venture off on my own. Living in such a positive environment would leave little room for negativity. Without negativity, people can not appreciate the positives life brings. Too much of something good, is bad. However, visiting this magical place would be unforgettable. It would be an enchanted journey to say the least.
The Arapesh may have figured out how to live happily and in a positive environment but that environment cannot successfully grow to large numbers. There is evil in this world and trust will be broken. A society based on trust is a dream come true but put to the test, will crumble to pieces.