The Value of Traditions

Jeff Adams

It’s hard for me to hear the word “tradition” and not think of the movie “Fiddler on the Roof” and Topol singing the song “Tradition.”  I liked that movie and how it showed that over time some traditions give way to new traditions, and that there is worth in some traditions, while others lose their value if those who advocate maintaining the traditions cannot justify their relevance.

It’s important for each generation to not only know and understand the traditions handed down to them, but to evaluate their relevance to their lives.  It has been proven in studies, as well as being noticeable through casual observation, that when people have “roots” and a knowledge of the history and heritage of their family as well as the society they are a part of, they are better grounded and function better in society (by function I mean they more often tend to be law abiding, productive members of society).

It’s the common values, morals, customs, and general culture that hold a society together.  Traditions are a way to pass these things along from generation to generation.  Diversity, as advocated by liberals, is not just over rated, but destructive for any society.  We should celebrate the customs, values and traditions of our land.  Parents who don’t make an effort to pass these things on to their children are failing at one of their most important duties.

One of the problems plaguing our country today is the “rootless-ness” of so many people.  The public education system has failed to pass on the basic understanding of our history, heritage, traditions and values, and an honest understanding of our form of government.  And parents are failing to take a personal interest in passing along this information, as well as family and cultural traditions.  My wife and I are making an effort to avoid this misstep with our kids.

One thing we’ve decided to use as a tool to link our kids to their heritage, and build a family tradition, is to take time to attend the second annual Southern Historical Conference and Bonnie Blue Ball.  I wrote about the inaugural event last year, and I have to say we were not disappointed in the least with what all took place at the conference or the ball.  In fact, my wife and kids left San Antonio more enthusiastic about attending this year’s event than they were about attending last year’s.

My wife and I hope to make this an annual tradition, to let our kids hear some great speakers address topics concerning their history, heritage, and their future, as well as explore the various vendor’s booths at the conference.  Not to mention having an evening where we “dance the night away” with others who share in a common heritage and aren’t afraid to celebrate it.

As for the value of this as a tradition, and what is taken from these events that is useful, my kids will have to eventually evaluate this for themselves, and determine if it is something that is worth passing on to their children.  I believe there will be much they find worth passing on, in one form or another, because much of what is addressed at these conferences are truths that stand the test of time.

This year’s Southern Historical Conference and Bonnie Blue Ball will be held in the same location as last year’s, which is in Schertz, TX, on the north side of San Antonio, and is scheduled for September 3-4.  Information on the conference and ball can be found here. I would encourage all who are within an eight hour drive (after all, you’d drive that far for a weekend trip for a ball game, or to attend an amusement part) to make the effort to attend this event and determine first hand the value of the traditions being promoted at this event, and if it is worth making a part of your family’s traditions.  For anyone who realizes the importance of the values and traditions that are the foundation for our land’s successes, they’ll see this event as something worth attending every year.

July 19, 2004

Mr. Jeff Adams is the State Director of Education for the Texas chapter of the League of the South. He currently works as an industrial engineer in Houston, Texas. He may be reached for comment here.

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