by Tone » Fri Nov 02, 2007 12:34 pm
Thanks Johnny for bestowing me the title of doctor. You have made my mother proud!
A bit more seriously.
If we want to communicate, words must have a precise and agreed upon meaning in every language. In the western tradition a doctor is someone who has a doctorate, a qualified drummer in the candomble is an Ogun, Dalai lama is a title, in Africa a qualified entertainer stemming from the tradition is a griot, in India a Pandit.
So by calling yourself a doctor eventhough your art is from another traditon you are actually demeaning your tradition by feeling the need to borrow the western title. Isn't your tradition's title good enough?
Now, you could also argue that as we speak English here, doctor is a pretty good translation for all those titles.
The only thing that matters is that a title is always bestowed by your peers never under any circumstances by yourself!!!
Otherwise you fall in the same category as Idi Amin Dada (Marechal , president, DOCTOR,...) Ceaucescu'wife (doctor), Colonel Khadafi, Emperor Bokassa,...
If other qualified people of your tradition call you a doctor you probably derserve it. If you call your self one , people will rightfully take the piss.
Further, real accomplishment comes with modesty.
Wouldn't the world be a better place if we got rid of titles altogether?
Burke, you cracked me up, and also pointed to the slightly racist undertones of the argument.
peace
tone