There is a universal culture which unites all human beings in shared emotions, feelings, and instincts. However, worldwide, there exist diverse ethnic, racial, regional, and national sub-cultures which share characteristics with other sub-cultures, but are defined by their own distinct behaviors. As people develop an understanding of sub-cultures to which they don't belong, the more positive and constructive they become. This should be the main objective of humanity- to develop a greater awareness, tolerance, and appreciation of all the sub-cultures worldwide. "Of Plymouth Plantation" by William Bradford, "La Relacion" by Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca, and "My Sojourn in the Lands of My Ancestors" by Maya Angelou provide brief explanations on how one can have a positive cross-cultural encounter. A positive cross-cultural encounter is created when people focus on creating a greater universal culture which reflects the commonalities and similarities shared between different sub-cultures, yet still retains the unique customs of those sub-cultures.
Upon arriving, the settlers in "Plymouth Plantation" presumed they were on hostile ground, so they constructed a fort for protection. "The next night they landed and made them a barricado as usually they did every night. partly to shelter them from the cold and partly to defend them from any sudden assaults of the savages. (pg 84) The settlers segregated themselves from the Indians and ignored any similarities that they may have shared. It seemed that the settlers and the Indians would never live in harmony; but because of a few amicable individuals, such as Squanto, the barrier between the two sub-cultures dissolved and they were able to co-exist. The settlers and Indians recognized and accepted their similarities and differences. Neither group tried to force its culture on the other; instead both groups learned that they could live in harmony and united under a universal culture that focused on the commonality shared by both sub-cultures.
