Cultural Essay Examples

Mycultureidentity,asIknowitasisAfricanAmerican.Myculturecanbeseeninfood,literature, religion,language,thecommunity,familystructure,theindividual,music,dance,art,andcouldbe summedupasthesymboliclevelSymbolic,becausefaithplaysamajorroleinourdailylives throughsong,prayer,praiseandworship.WhenI'mhappyIrelyonmyfaith,sameaswhenI'msad, forIknowthingswillgetbetterastheyhavebefore.Therearedifferentdisciplineswithinthe humanities,butthereisonethatIfeelthathasinfluencedmyculturalidentitythemost...music.Isay musicbecausefromthestartmusictoldmyculture'shistory;informedothersaboutdeedsorevents thathadtakenplace,also,musicwasandshowmorecontent

June19thwasshortenedtothenameJuneteenth.Thoseslavesstartedthecelebrationthatweknow andcontinuetodayastheJuneteenthCelebrationwhichisnowcelebratedallacrossAmerica,and hasnowbecometheAfricanAmericanaddendumtoournationalIndependenceDay(Juneteenth, n.d.)Now,thisiswhatyoucallacelebration,eachyearisexcitingmoreandmore.I'vemetavariety ofpeople,fromvariouspartsofAfrica,andfrommanycitiesintheUnitedStates.Iwouldsumit [JuneteenthFestival]upasahugefamilyreunioninthepark.Realizingwehavemoreincommon thannot,whenImeetnewpeople,Ilookatthemasindividuals.Itakeintoconsiderationthe concrete,thebehavioralandthesymbolicfortheyallhavetheirplaceinapersonbeingwhothey are.Yes,Iwishotherscouldseeandgainunderstandingforotherculturesthroughmyeyes.For example,"itispossibletoacquireanewculturebybecomingdisabled,movingtoanewcountryor region,orbyachangeinoureconomicstatus.Whenwethinkofculturethisbroadlywerealizewe allbelongtomanyculturesatonce"(CommunityToolBox,2013).WhoaretheLumbee?The largest,mostprosperous,educatedIndiantribeinNorthCarolinasincethe1700s,whosenameis fromtheLumbeeRiverisinRobesonCounty.TheLumbeepeoplehavebeenrecognized

...Getmorecontent...

ExamplesOfCulturalEncounter

CulturalEncounters

Acultureisdefinedasthe"wayoflifeofagroupofpeople–thebehaviors,beliefs,values,and symbolsthattheyaccept,generallywithoutthinkingaboutthem,andthatarepassedalongby communicationandimitationfromonegenerationtothenext."www.tamu.edu.Aswellthe definitionofCulturalEncounters"isaconceptwhichisoftenusedincurrentpublicandacademic discussionsontheconditionsofmodernsocieties".Www.en.cgs.aau.dk.CulturalEncounters spotlightonthestudyofculturalcharactersandsymbolicrepresentationalandinterpretationalforms throughaninternational,cross–culturalandglobalperspectiveCulturalEncountersraisesthe multiplicityofideasavailabletosocietyasawholeand...showmorecontent...

Forexample,theargumentaboutgoingbacktoschoolandfinishthedegree.Ahugebrickwallin relationshipofmotheranddaughteriscreatedbecauseofthelanguagebetweenthemsincethey havedifferentviewsonlife,andhowtheyshouldhandleit.Thatwasveryclearinthestorywhile themotherwantsherdaughtertogobacktoschool;thedaughterisnotplanningtodosoJuneand hermotherhascompletelydifferentviewsonlifeandhowthingsshouldbeapproached.The culturalencounterstheybothexperiencemakingproblemsolvingabrickwallasaresultofthetoo bigofagenerationgapbetweenthe

...Getmorecontent...

ExamplesOfCulturalStereotypes

Stereotypesinshort,areoftenaboutseekingpatterns.Itcannotbehelpedbuttousethemasnotonly afunctioninsociety,butalsoasawaytounderstanditashumanstodayareknowntoidentifywell withpatterns.Thisquestionwillbeexploredusingthefollowingareasofknowledge;human sciencesandhistory.Aswellasusingtheaboveareasofknowledgetoexplorethisquestion,ways ofknowing,inparticular,emotion,perception,languageandreason,willbeusedinconjunction TakingthestoryofGandhiasaprimeexample,itisimportantontwolevels;mostimportantly however,thewayinwhichitexposesnotonlythenegativeculturalstereotypeofthe"stupid foreigner",buthowatthesametimeitunderminesandshowmorecontent Despitetheuseofemotionbeingusefulindailylife,thereisadownsidetoemotion–thefactthat thereoccasionallyappearstobenobuiltin"deceptiondetection".Thismeansthatactingonour emotionscanoftencauseyoutobewronginonesemotivejudgements.

AnothermethodinwhichweunderstandstereotypesisthroughtheuseofreasonCultural stereotypesinsocietyarewaysinwhichweformgeneralisations.Thesegeneralisationsarenot formedthroughinductiveinterpretationsthatcanbedrawnfromdeducingdatathatcanbecollected viascientificmethods,northroughdeductiveinterpretationsthatcanbedrawnfrommathematical logic.Thesegeneralisationsaredrivenbytheemotionsweusetorationalizeourattitudesand actionsTheserationalised,orreasoned,interpretationsarehelpfulinmultiplewaysFirstly,in situationswhereitisrequiredtohandleinteractionswithpeople,theserationalisedinterpretations areusedtoclarifythedecisionmakingprocesses.Also,interpretationsstyledthesewayshelp supportthereasonsbehinddrawingassumptions,suchasprejudice,andalsosupportcertain intolerances(forexample,thedevelopmentofreligiousattitudestowardsgaymarriages).Weoften rationaliseourattitudes

...Getmorecontent...

CULTURALINTERVIEWMyculturalinterviewwaswithacoworker,28yearsofageandof

Hispanicdescent.WhileconductingtheinterviewIlearnedalotabouttheHispanicculture.Many HispanicsliketobecalledLatino(a).SomedonotliketobereferredtoasMexicanwhentheyare fromothercountriesotherthanMexico.Hispanicsalsouseslangwithintheirculturejustlike AfricanAmericansWithintheculturethemaleisthedominantfigureinthehouseholdAllthe decisionsthataffectthefamilygothroughthefather.Ifthereisnofatherinthehouse,theoldestson fulfillsthatrole.Theoldersonmaydropoutofschoolsothattheymayassistthemotheratthe houseintheabsenceofthefatherManyHispanicsshowmorecontent Theirfamilygottogethereveryopportunitytheycould.Theyhadmanytraditionalthingstheydidas afamilysuchasagatheringoffamilyeveryyearforhergrandmother'sdeath,butasacelebration. EveryyearonChristmasEveherfamilywouldalsodrawtogethertoexchangegiftsatdifferent relative'shouses.Theintervieweestatedthisbecameatraditionforherfamilybecausethemarried peopleinthefamilyhadtoattendfestivitiesattheirspouses'relativesEnglishandSpanishareboth spokenintheHispanicshouseholds.Themajorityoftheoldermembersofthefamilyonlyspeak Spanish.MyintervieweestatedthatshedidnotknowhowtospeakSpanish,buthermotherdidand fluently.ShestatedthathermotherhasalwaystoldherthatsheneededtoknowSpanishbecause thatwasherheritage,butsheneverfeltitverynecessary.TheHispanicculturecelebratesthe comingofagewhichiscalleda15orQuinceanerasTheQuinceanernasisusuallyabigproduction forthegirls.Thegirlshaveescortsanddressinaformaltypeballroomdressandhavemanyofher friendsandrelativesthereforthecelebration.Myintervieweestatedthatshedidnothavea QuinceanerasbecauseshedidnotreallygetintoitShealsostatedthatshegotpregnantanddidnot wantherparentstospendallthatmoneyforthecelebration.Theboysontheotherhanddonotgo alloutwiththistypeofcelebration,butinsteadcelebrateattheir

...Getmorecontent...

CulturalExpectationsandProxemicsAsconsumersinthiscountry,weallatsomepoint,haveor willhavegoneouttoeatatapublicrestaurant.ThesiteIchosewasaMexicanrestaurantcalled Zacatecas,whichislocatedinashoppingcenterinGalt.Thisshoppingcenterhasavarietyofother businessestablishmentslikeaRaley'sgrocerystore,Walmart,twocoffeeshops,pizzashop,anda ChineserestauranttomentionafewThislocationisalwaysbusywithavarietyofconsumerswith differentculturalperspectives.Ifinditinterestinghowdifferentpeoplewithdifferentcultural customsoccupyspace,proxemics,inapublicMexicanrestaurant.Ifeelthatanthropologistswould finditveryinterestinghowdifferentculturesoccupyshowmorecontent

AsIwalkedInoticedtherewerecustomers,allCaucasians,sittingatfourdifferenttablesthatwere allagainstthewallandthemiddleofthediningareawasempty.Iproceededtothebarandwas greetedbythebartender/waitress,whowasalsoafemaleCaucasian.Theemployeesatthe restaurantweremostlyCaucasianwiththeexceptionofoneHispaniclookingwaitressandthepart ofthecookingstaffShortlyafter,awhitecouplesatdownafewbarstoolsawayfromme,butnot veryclose.Theysattherehavingacoupleofmargaritasengagedindeepconversation.Glancing backovertothediningareaInoticeditwasgettingbusierwithmorecustomerscomingin.WhatI noticedfirst,wasthateveryonewasgravitatingtoalltheoutertablesagainstthewallandfront windows.Secondly,thatIwastheonlyHispaniccustomeratthattime.Allcustomerswereengaged inconversation,eatingorwatchingthetelevisionsTheemployeeswererunningaroundtakingfood ordersandtakingfoodouttocustomers.Mostcustomersseemedtobeingoodspirtswiththe exceptionofonetable.Atthistabletherewasanelderlywomanwithherdaughter.Thedaughter wascomplainingthathermotherreceivedthewrongfoodandthatittooktoolongfortheirorderto comeout.

...Getmorecontent...

CulturalAnalysis:CulturalBaggage

Culturalbaggageiswhenaperson'sownbehaviorsorbeliefscanhinderorinterferewithsomeone elseculturewithoutthemknowingit.AnexampleiswhenIhadanAmishpatientandAmish womenletthemendothetalkingandIwouldalwaystryandtalktoherforgettingabouttheir culturebecauseitwasdifferentthanmine.

Ethnocentrismisjudgingotherculturesbasedononeownculturesandstandardsbecausepeople thinktherecultureisbetterthanotherpeople'sculture.AnexampleofthiswouldbeAmerica.Even thoughweareameltingpotofmanydifferentculturesandstandard's,manyAmericansthinkthat thestandardofourhealthcareandhowwelivearebetterthanhowother'sliveindifferentcountries .

Cultural...showmorecontent...

Ieducatedthepatientontheeffectsofhavinguncontrolledbloodpressureanddiabetesand providednutrienteducationbutIhadtoalsorespectherculturealso.

Culturalself–assessmentisareflectiononanurseownidea's,valuesandattitudesandhowthey wereformedonthenursesjourney.Nursefindtheirstrengthandthereweaknessalongthepathand theymaychangeasthenursegrowsinself–discoverythroughexperienceandfurtheringeducation IgrewupinasmallcountrytownandwhenImovedtoalargehospitalIfoundoutthatoneofmy weaknessesisthatIdonothavethatmuchexperiencewithforeignpatients.Ihaveneverhada RussianspeakingpatientandIhadnoideawhatkindofculturalthingsIwouldseelikethepatient wantedsausage,potatoesandrollsforbreakfastwithoatmealanditwassuchashockthatthis patientcouldeatsomuchforbreakfasteventhoughshewasherforabdominalpainandsheshould havebeenonacleardietbutbecauseofherculturethat'swhatsheateverydayforbreakfastbackin Russia.Ithinkthatit'simportantthehealthcareprofessionalskeeplearningand

...Getmorecontent...

CulturalValuesEssayexample

Abstract

Thepurposeofthispaperistoexaminehowpersonal,organizational,andculturalvaluesaffect decisionmakinginmypersonalandprofessionallife.Mycultural,organizationalandpersonal valuesrepresentmybeliefsandtraditionsofmyculturalenvironment.Throughmyresearch,I examinedvaluesandbasedthemonhowimportanttheyarewithinmypersonal,organizational, work,andculturallifestyle.Basedontheresearch,Icametotheconclusionknowingthe foundationalelementsofindividualbehaviorcanbeveryrewarding.Valuesdonotactindividually, butalsorelatewithothervaluesaswellThedynamicbetweenindividualvaluesisalmostas importantasthevaluesthemselves.FromwhatIlearnedbetweenresearch...showmorecontent...

Avalueisabelief,amissionorphiloshythatisreallymeaningfultoaperson(Nonis,2001). Whetherweareconsciouslyawareofthemornot,everyindividualhasanumberofpersonalvalues. Mypersonalvaluesrangefromabeliefinhardwork,selfreliance,andpunctuality,concernsfor others,andtrustinothersaswellMypersonalvalueshave

Values4

propelledmetogreatsuccessandachievementnotonlythroughworkbutwithinmyselfaswell. Personalvalueshelpmebecomemoreselfaware,helpsprioritizemytasks,makeethicaldecisions, anddevelopscredibility.Whatwevalueshapesourchoices,andimpactsthedecisionaboutwhatis believewecando,howwellwetreatourselvesandthevalue.Organizationalvaluesofteninclude suchtraditionvirtuesastrust,loyalty,andcommitment,honesty,andrespectforoneanotherand avoidingconflictsofinterest.Valuesaretheactivecomponentandeverdevelopingfoundation behindallorganizationaldecisionscoreorganizationalvaluescanremainsteadfastwithinan environmentofconstantchange(Sessa,2002).Valuesarepowerfuldeterminantsofpersonalityand culture,butthedepthoftheircontributiontoindividualandorganizationalbehaviorhasbeengreatly underestimatedResearchstudieshaveconsistentlyfounda

...Getmorecontent...

CulturalExchangeProgramEssay

CulturalExchangeandEnglishProgramCulturalexchangeprogramsareforconnecting,enriching andempoweringtheglobalcommunity.Culturalexchangeprogramisaprogram,inwhichstudents fromschools,collegesanduniversitiesstudyabroadatoneoftheirinstitution'spartnerinstitutions. Culturalexchangeprogramsexposestudentstopeoplefromdifferentcultural,geographic,religious andsocio–economicbackgroundsandprovidetheopportunityforstudentstodevelopagreater understandingofdiversitybothintheirhomecountryandvisitingcountry.CulturalExchange Programallowsstudentstointeractwithandlearnfrompeoplewhoaredifferentfromthemselves andtoparticipateinnewanduniqueexperiencesbeyondtheirowncommunitiesCulturalexchange assistsstudentstodeveloppositiverelationshipswithothers,understandabroaderrangeof perspectives,anddeveloptheknowledgeandskillsneededforparticipationinourmulticultural society.ParticipatinginInternationalCulturalandshowmorecontent

Thisexchangecanbestudentsfromdifferentcultural,linguisticorreligiousbackgrounds;students wholiveindifferentgeographicareas,egrural,regional,andmetropolitan;studentsfromdifferent socio–economicbackgroundsorfamilycircumstances;studentsfromschoolsandcollegesof differenttypes.Mostimportantly,culturalexchangeprogramsshouldbeprocess–centered.Assuch, theschools(includingstaff,students,parentsandcommunitymembers)involvedshould collaborativelydeterminethegoal/s,contentandintendedoutcomesoftheirprogram,includingthe learningandsocialoutcomesthattheyhopetoachieveGoalsoftenchangeastheprogramevolves andsoprogramsshouldbeflexibleenoughtoallowforthischangeand,importantly,incorporate teachingandlearningaroundthevalueofflexibilitywithincollaborative,intercultural

...Getmorecontent...

LatinAmericanCultureEssayexamples

LatinAmericanCulture

LatinAmericarepresents1/10oftheworld'spopulation,andgeographicallycanbelocatedfromthe landextensionsofMexico,untilthePatagoniaatArgentina.Someofthemostrelevantelementsof today'scultureinLatinAmericaare;Religion,Values,Attitudes,Socialstructure,Social stratification,LanguageandGift–givinghospitality.Thepredominantreligionthroughouthistoryin LatinAmericahasbeenCatholicism.Frombigcitiestosmallvillages,churches,basilicas,and cathedralsarefoundCatholicismleftitsmark,fromcustomsandvaluestoarchitectureandart DuringmanyyearsinmanycountriestheCatholicChurchhadpoweroverallcivilinstitutions, education,andlaw.Nowadaysreligionshowmorecontent

InLatinAmericanculturethemostimportantunitofthesocialstructureisthefamily.Themost importantunitwithinthefamilyistheoldestmaleofthehouse,whichgenerallyisthefatheror grandfatherInLatinAmericanculture,thedegreeofsocialstratificationisveryhighThesocial mobilityisverylimitedduethattheLatinAmericansocietyismerelyclassis.Thisclassisisbased onraceandethnicity.LatinAmericanmightbeconsideredasmultilingual;neverthelessSpanishis predominantinmostcountries.LatinAmericanlanguagewasinfluencedbytheSpanishand Portugueseconquerors,nativeIndians,theAfricanslaves,theimmigrantscommunitiesofWorld WarIandII

2.AnimportantfactorthatmightcauseaculturalchangeinLatinAmericaisGlobalization. IndustrializationisgrowinginLatinAmericarapidlyandthisisaconsequenceofglobalization. Someofthechangesthatarelikelytooccuraremodernizationofcitieswhichwillmakerichpeople richer,andpoorpeoplepoorer.Mega–citiesarebeingbuiltbymultinationalcorporationsincities suchasSantiagoinChile.TheContrastbetweenthesewealthymega–citieswithruralareascanbe veryextreme.ForexampleinArgentinathereisanemerginghigh–techindustrybroughtby globalization.EnteringglobalizationalsomeansthatLatinAmericanswillhavetoacquiremoreand newskills,learnhowtodobusinesswithforeignersand ...Getmorecontent...

NurseCultureAssessmentEssayexamples

Runninghead:CULTURALASSESSMENT

CulturalAssessment

June14,2008

AbstractInordertodelivernursingcaretodifferentcultures,nursesareexpectedtounderstandand provideculturallycompetenthealthcaretodiverseindividuals.Culturallycompetentcareistailored tothespecificneedsofeachclient,whileincorporatingtheindividual'sbeliefsandvalues(Stanhope &Lancaster,2006,p.90).Bybeingculturallycompetent,nursesareabletohelpimprovehealth outcomesbyusingculturalknowledgeandspecificskillsinselectinginterventionsthatarespecific toeachclient(Stanhope&Lancaster).Therefore,nurses"shouldperformaculturalassessmenton everyclientwithwhomtheyinteractwith"(Stanhope&...showmorecontent...

WithHindiastheclient'snativelanguage,MrsPandthebrothercanonlyspeakHindi,comparedto themotherandfatherwhocanbothreadandspeakthenativelanguage.

SocioeconomicConsiderationsWithoccupationandeducation,theclient'sdadhasamaster'sin businessandworksforGatewaycomputers.Theclient'smomhasadegreeinpsychologyandisa housewife,andtheyoungerbrotherhasdegreefromUCSDformanagementscienceandeconomics andworksatBoeingAsforMrsP,theclientworksasateacher,havingearnedabachelor'sdegree inbusinessadministrationfromtheUniversityofCalifornia,Riverside,andMr.Pworksasaneuro–surgeon,withabachelor'sdegreeincellularandmolecularbiologyandincomputerengineering, andmastersincomputerengineeringReceivingnofinancialassistance,theclientseemedsatisfied inthecurrentsocioeconomicclassofuppermiddleclassbecausetherearenoplansofchangingjob. Currentlyowningahomewith4bedrooms,3bathrooms,alivingroom,diningroom,loft,andpatio, thelivingarrangementsforMrs.Pappearsufficientforafuturefamilytolivein.

ValueOrientationAccordingtoMrs.P,respectforelders,agoodeducation,goodfamily backgroundandconnections,religion,andgoodethicsforsociety,arevaluesthatareheldhighly withinthefamily'sculture.Educationandahighlyheldpositioninacareerareveryimportant

...Getmorecontent...

NativeAmericanCulturalDiffusionExamples

Culturaldiffusionisthecontagiouscycleofbeliefs,practices,cultures,andideasspreadingfrom locationtolocation.EuropeansledvoyagestoexpandChristianitythroughoutothercountries.An exampleofthiswouldbeJesuitsseetoconvertothersasaservingtogod,andhelpingthosewithout Godattheirside.Traderesultedinnewproductsbeingtransportedtovariouscountrieswithinthe ColumbianexchangeCountriescontinuouslysetouttoconquermoreland,duringtheageof explorationHernandoCortessetouttodefeattheAztecsandobtaintheirland.THESIS;Cultural diffusionimpactedsocietybecauseitwasresponsiblefortheampleamountofknowledge, innovation,productanddiversitybeingspreadfromcountrytocountry EuropeansledvoyagestospreadReligionstoothercountries,thiseffectedsocietiesbyinflicting culturessuchasChristianityandprotestantreligionsontoothers.Anexampleofculturaldiffusion duringthespreadofreligionwouldbetheinteractionbetweenCatholicJesuitsfromcountrieslike Spain,Portugal,andFranceandnativeswhowereconvertedtoCatholicism.Jesuitswerefollowers ofJesus,showmorecontent HernandoCortezdefeatedtheAztecsandconqueredtheirlandwhichisnowmoderndayMexico. PizzarocapturedtheIncasandstoletheirgoodssuchastheirgoldandland.Conquesteffectedmany culturesbutoneinspecificwerethenativeAmericans.Nativesdiedduetoexposurewhenthe Europeanscametoconquerland.Whenlandwasconqueredmostconquerorswouldaddand increasetheproductiontotheirnewlyobtainedland,likewhenpeterthegreatconqueredSweden's portsandgrantedpermissiontocomeincontactwiththewest.Thisinteractionwassokeybecause itbeganeasytravelandwesternization.Thisimpactedsocietybecauseitallowedtheescalationofa modernarmyaswellasthetransferoffideasand

...Getmorecontent...

English1130 Fall2012

CulturalDiversityAssignmentIdidn'tknowwhereIshouldgotovisitformycultureexperience paper.Iamneitherintoaplayortemple,butIabsolutelylovefood,allkindsoffood.Ithinkmeals andrestaurantsareagreatwaytoexperienceadifferentcultureTheproblemwaswhatkindoffood Ishouldtryandwon'tbetoodisappointed?SoIcalledmybrotherwhohasnumerousexperiencesin food.HetoldmethatIshouldtryaGreekfoodandthereisaGreekrestaurantinuptowncalledIt's Greektome,itisaniceplacetogoandoffersdeliciousauthenticGreekfoodIwasattemptingand exciting.Therefore,IdecidedtotryGreekfoodformycultureexperience.Nextfollowingday,my boyfriendshowmorecontent

Theyalllookedamazinganddelicious,Ihadtostopandtakesomepictures.MydishBeefKebob hadfourjuicysteaknuggets,andamoistmedium–rarewithflavorsyouwon'tfindanywherewith someonionandpepperinbetweenthemCouplethiswithvegetablesandhome–stylepotatoesI tookafirstbiteofpotatoesandittastedsosour.Ididn'tlikemuchbutIdidn'tgetbotherbyit.As soonasItookthefirstbiteofmysteaknuggets,allthesourpotatoesthoughtsweredisappearedand Ifeltsohappychewingonthesteak.Itwassotenderanddelicious.Myboyfriend'sdishalsolooked amazing,hereallylovedit.Ididn'ttrybecauseIdon'tlikethetasteoflamb.Soonafterweboth cleanedouttheplateandleftnoroomfordessertsWehadtopromiseeachotherthatwewould comebackagainnexttime.Afterthat,Icalledmybrotherandthankhimforthewonderful suggestion.HetoldmelittlebitaboutGreekcultureonfood.HesaidhisGreekfriendtoldhimthat foodisveryimportantinGreek,GreekpeopletakefoodveryseriouslyFamilylovestocome togetherandcookforanicemeal,enjoythefood,laughandhavefuntogether.Idon'tknowmuch aboutGreekculture,butIguessIaminterestedinitnowbecausethisexperience.OnethingInotice thatGreekfoodisamazingandtheydoreallyappreciatethefoodandcreateamazingdishes.Iam gladthatIchoseGreekrestaurantforthiscultural

...Getmorecontent...

Aculturewhereguestsaretreatedasgods,familymembersliveunderthesamehouseholduntil death,andhavethebeliefthatgodsandspiritsplaythesignificantroleindeterminingtheirlifeall refertothesametopic,theIndianculture;arichanddiverseculturewhichisveryuniqueinmany ways.Thiscultureincludesthequalitiesofvariousotherculturesanditresultsintoamodernand acceptabletraditionRespectingelders,honouringheroes,cherishinglove,andfollowingtraditions makeupthemajorcomponentsoftheIndiancultureanditsfollowers.Manypeoplebelievethatthis particularculturehasagreatimpactontheireverydaylivesandareproudtobeincludedinthe significantcustomsInthenovel,ClearLightshowmorecontent

Whenherparentsdied,theyleftherwithaburdenofresponsibilitiesthatinvolvedraisingthe childrenandtakingontheroleofamother.Bimislefttotakecareofhersmallestandmentally challengedbrother,Baba.WhenBabawasyounger,theparentswouldconstantlygotoclubsand outfordrinks,leavingtheresponsibilityofraisingtheunfortunatechildtoBim.Thetwosiblings establishedaspecialbondwitheachotherandtrustedeachothermoreandmoreeachdayWhenthe secondoldestchild,Rajafellillbecauseoftuberculosis,Bimwasaccountableofhelpinghimregain backhisnormalhealth.Upontheseresponsibilitieswasaveryimportantone,Bimhadtoearn moneyforthefamilyandsheknewthatitinvolvededucatingherselftobecomeateacher,ajobthat wasseemedappropriateforwomen.

"Forallfathercared,Icouldhavegrownupilliterateandcookedformyliving,orsweptSoIhadto teachmyselfhistory,andteachmyselftoteach."(155)

Sincemenofthehousearetheproviderstothefamily,theirdeathcanhaveahugeimpactonthe familyThisterribleincidentchallengedBimandtherestofthefamilymemberstolivetheirlife withoutcomingtoapointofbankruptcy.Bim'sresponsibilityincreasedwhenhersister,Tara marriedandmovedoutofthehouse,leavingBimwiththeburdenoftakingcareofherbrothers' needs,dailychores,andpayingfortherentsandgroceries.Responsibilitycanaffectusandourlives

...Getmorecontent...

ExamplesOfCulturalIdentity

CultureIdentity: Asexplainedthroughliterature

Apartofwhatconstructsanindividual'sidentityisdefinedbytheculturetheyareapartof.Culture consistentlyinformsthewayoneviewstheworldandothers,thereforeitbecomesaninfluentialand definingcharacteristicinthedailylivesofmany.Manyauthorshaveexpressedthebeliefinthis throughvariousmediums,suchasmemoirs,biographies,andpoems.Duetotherebeingadirect correlationbetweentheself–identityofapersontoculture,aperson'sviewoftheworldcanalteras aresult.WriterSanthaRamaRauemphasizesthisthemeinhermemoirByAnyOtherName,ashort accountofaschoolexperienceofanIndiangirladjustingtoanew,Anglo–Indianschool.Asshow morecontent

Thisishintedinthepoem,bywhichthenarratormentionsthatthey're,"...slidingbackandforth, betweenthefringedofbothworlds"(Mora,pg40)Eventhoughthenarratorinthisscenariofaces problemswithfindingaspecificgrouptoidentifywith,arelationshipbetweenbothculturescanbe identified,formingapartofwhotheyare.It'sbasedonthemerejudgmentofphysicaltraits,and differenthabitsinone'spersonalandculturalidentity.Thisdivisionandidentificationwithboth groupsledtothenarratorhavingaconfusedoutlookontheworld.Artcanbeanexpressionofone's innerbeliefsandthoughts,andsuchisthecasewiththeartistFridaKahlo,whosepaintingsreflected hersetofbeliefsandculture.Therewerevariousinstanceswhichreflectedherpatrioticnature,such asherclothing,expressions,andsymbolsincludedinherart.Shebroughtforthhercreativeside, andintertwineditwiththecultureshegrewupwithanddevelopedherownunique,iconicstyleA biographicalexcerptwrittenbyHaydenHerreradescribedKahlo'swayofpaintingas,"...she transmutedherpainintoartwithremarkablefranknesstemperedbyhumorandfantasy."(Herrera, pg.34)Herdeeptieswithhercultureprovednotonlyimportanttohowshedecidedtopaint,but howsheviewedtheworld.Althoughshehidmanysorrowsandpain,shemaintainedacheerful attitudetothosearoundherandamoreorlesspositiveoutlookinthe

...Getmorecontent...

CulturalSelfassessment

CulturalSelf–Assessment

HaleyMcGuire

UniversityofNorthDakota

CulturalSelf–Assessment

Introduction

Notwopeoplearethesame.Race,ethnicity,gender,andageareallfactorsthatmakeindividuals differentanduniqueThroughoutthispaper,Iwillbediscussingmyvalues,beliefsandtraditions, howIidentifymyself,andmyattitudeondiversity.

FamilyValues,Beliefs,andTraditionsMyfamilyisverydiverseandcomesfrommanydifferent places.MymaternalgrandmothercametotheUnitedStatesfromEnglandwhenshewas18andmet mybiologicalgrandfather.TheylivedinMontanaonFlatheadIndianReservation.Thisiswheremy motherwasbornandraisedWhenmymotherwasinhighschool,shemetmyshowmore content...

Iknowitisbecomingmutualwherethemotherworksjustlikethefather,butIthink;asIgetolderI willpracticethesameviewsandbeliefsmyparentsdid.ThisdoesnotmeanthatIamagainstthe viewsoffeminism;Ijustbelieveitisimportantforchildrentoberaisedbyfamilyinsteadof daycarecentersMymothernevertrustedpeopletobabysitherkidswhenwewerelittleandher viewshaverubbedoffonme.Idefinemyselfasbeingindependent,self–relying,andstrong.Ihave gonethroughmanyhardthingsinmylifeandIthinkithasmademetobeastrongperson.What makesmeuniqueismyindependenceEversinceIwasinhighschool,Ihavetakencareofmyself andalwaysfelttheneedtodoeverythingonmyown.Becauseofthis,Ihavealwayscomeoffa littlerougharoundtheedges.IhadtroublemakingfriendsbecauseIdidnottrustmanypeopleand alwaysthoughtpeoplehadalternativemotives.EventuallyIhavelearnedtogivepeoplethebenefit ofthedoubtandtotrustothers.

Iconsidermyselftomeafemale,daughter,collegestudent,Catholic,friend,sister,andafuture nurse.Fromthelistofidentitiesabove,Ithinkbeingastudentandafriendtobethemostimportant inmylifeatthistime.EverydayIgotoschoolandworkhardtoachievemygoalofbeinganurse. Alongwithgoingtoclass,IspendalotoftimewithmyfriendsBeinganursingstudentisvery importanttomeatthistimeandIamproudtobeatUND.

...Getmorecontent...

DifferentCultures,DifferentEssay

Everysocietyandculturehasdifferentwaysofinterpretinganddefiningoccurrencesbytheway theirowncultureorsocietyfunctions."Asociety'sculture,consistsofwhateveritisonehasto knoworbelieveinordertooperateinamanneracceptabletoitsmembers"(Geertz242).Therituals, customs,ethicsandmoralsthatareattributedtothecultureshavecausedthesedifferences.To understandhowthepeopleofonecultureinterpretasituationorevent,onemustevaluatethe attributesthataculturehas.Thecriteriathataneventisbasedonchangesasonecultureapplies theirownideastothegivensituation.Heroismandviolationaretwoconceptsthatareeasily misinterpreteddependingonculture'sidealsSinceculturesshowmorecontent WhattrippedCohenup,andwithhimthewhole,ancientpatternofsocialandeconomic relationshipswithinwhichhefunctioned,wasaconfusionoftongues.(Geertz241)

Geertzexplainsthatthereasonfortheconfusion,andthedifferentinterpretationsoftheeventthat tookplaceisasimplemisunderstandingthatwhentookplaceinclashingcultureswithdifferent views,bothstrivingtoclaimthesituationintheirowncontextsbecameasomewhathumorous event.Thisconflictbetweenculturescausesaviewofapersontochangedependingonwhichpoint ofreferencetheyarebeingseenfrom.

InErnestHemingway's"IndianCamp,"theconflictbetweenculturesagaincauseadifferenceof viewsofthefatherTheconceptofheroismandviolationbecomestheissueofconflictThefather ordoctorisconsideredaherooraviolatoroftheIndianwomandependingonthecultureviewing him.Fromthefather'sculture,heisviewedasaheroforhisactionsattheIndiancamp.Hisactions areviewedasheroicunderthecircumstancesofhisprocedureBecauseofthecultureoftheIndian people,havingawhiteman,anoutsiderofthetribe,comeinandoperateonanIndianwomanis viewedasobsceneandaviolationofthewomannotto

...Getmorecontent...

PersonalNarrative:CulturalPerspective

Whatisculture?Cultureistheideaofwhatiswrongorright,theconceptofwhatisacceptable withinoursociety.Cultureservesusasaguide,takingustothe"rightway"andhelpingustomake senseofthingsthatsurroundsus.Therearemanydifferentculturesaroundtheworld.Alotofthem aresimilarinspecificwaysandothersarejustcompletelydifferent,thisdifferenceexplainswhywe thinkthatpeoplefromdifferentbackgroundsare"weird".

ThepersonthatIinterviewedisfromtheUnitedStates;heis20yearsoldandastudentatTri–State UniversityJohnSmithisanAfricanAmericanfromEastChicago,INJohncomesfroma communitywhere...showmorecontent...

isfarmoretechnologicallyadvancedthanBrazil.TheU.S.hasahugeinfluenceintheBrazilian culture.Thisisduetothefactthateconomicalstringstieus,soweareattachedwhetherwelikeitor not.WebuyCDsfromAmerica,welistentothesamemusic,wehaveMTV,andwewearthesame clothesWealsoincorporatedtoourvocabularyalotofEnglishwordssuchas"ShoppingCenter"or "Sale".ThisisasignthattheBrazilianculturehasbecome"Americanized"toacertainextend. Partoftheculturalaspectsthatissimilaristhewayweviewwomeninourcultures.InBrazilas wellasintheU.S.,womenareviewedasworkers.Theideathatwomenshouldstayathometaking careofthekidsdoesnotexistanymore;ourcapitalisticsocietyneedseverypersontoworkinorder tohaveadecentlife

Ezellalsodescribedthewaytheelderlyistreatedinhisculture.Theyaretreatedwithalotof respectandlove.Theyoungerpeoplehavenoneedtochangetheirlanguageornonverbalbehavior wheninteractingwithanoldpersonTheyareseenasactiveandstillusefulinsomewaysInBrazil, theelderlyisviewedasafragilepieceofglass.Theyaretreatedwithalotofrespectandloveas well,butatthesametimewedonotgivethemanycredit.Itisveryraretoseeanoldpersonbeing activeinBrazil,maybebecauseourlifeexpectationisshorter.Whenapersonreachesacertainage, itseemsliketheylosealltheirvaluetooursociety.

...Getmorecontent...

Fortheinterculturalinterview,IdecidedtointerviewmyfriendMedelyn,a19yearoldfemaleof HonduranandMexicandescent.Duringtheinterview,IfocusedonherHonduranculture,asshe wasborninHonduras,Iaskedheramultitudeofvariousquestionsrangingfromformalitiesinher culturetogenderrolestoclassisminherculture..Theinterviewlastedabouttwentyminutes,Iasked heraboutfifteenquestions,andaftersheansweredeachquestiontherewouldbeasmalldiscussion aboutheranswer.WheninterviewingMedelyn,itwasimportanttoridmyselfofanyethnocentrism, assumedculturalsimilarityordifferences,stereotyping,andanythingthatcouldcreateabiasand compromisetheinterview Istartedoftheinterview...showmorecontent...

Statingthat"Thereisalotofinequalityandeveryonehasaplaceinsociety."Subsequently,I followedwithaquestioninquiringwhetherHonduraswasmoreofamasculineorfemininesociety. Masculinesocietiestendtofocusoncompetition,strengthanddominance,contrarily,feminine societieshaveatendencytoconcentrateonbeingcaringandsupportiveMedelyndescribed Hondurasasaplacewhererelationshipstendedtobemorecaring,traditionalandsupportive.My nextquestionwasaboutindividualismandwhetherornotHonduraswasmoreofanindividualistor collectivistsociety.Individualistcultures,asstatedinChapter3,"Valuepersonalrightsand responsibilities,privacy,voicingone'sopinion,freedom,innovationandselfexpression.",while collectivitiescultures"valuecommunity,collaboration,sharedinterests,harmony,thepublicgood, andavoidingembarrassment."MedelyndescribedHondurasas"Aplacewherebeingloyaltothe communityisvaluedandthereissharedblameandresponsibilities.",whichwouldmeanHonduras ismoreofacollectivistsociety,giventhedescriptionofcommunitybeingvaluedratherthan individuals,meaningthatpeoplecareforthewelfareofthesociety.Contextwasthesubjectofmy nextquestion,figuringoutwhetherHonduraswasaloworhighcontextsocietywaswhatIinquired fromMedelyn."Alotofcommunicationisdonebyhandsignals,bodymovements,

...Getmorecontent...

LanguageInfluenceOnCulture

Everycultureisdifferentfromtheirvalueorientationstothelanguagetheyspeak.Thedifferent languageseachculturespeaksismorethanjustaformofcommunicationforthesecultures, languageinfluencesculturesinmultipleways.Languageaffectsthesocialrealityofacultureand duetothatmanyculturesaredifferentinthewaytheyviewthings.Howcanlanguageaffecta cultureinsuchabigway?Well,eachcultureslanguageisnotthesame,thereforeachculturewill nothavethesamewordsinanothercultureortheywillnottranslateover.TheJapanesehave multiplewordsfortheword"rice"andtheRussianshavemultipletermsfortheshadesbetween lightblueanddarkblueThishasanimpactontheculturebecausethelanguagetheyhaveallows themtohavemultiplewordsforwordsthatotherculturesonlyseeoneway.Anotherexampleof howlanguageaffectsacultureisthatwhilesomeculturesusedirectiontermslike,"left"or"right"; othersdonothavethosetermsintheirlanguagesotheywouldnotunderstandthosedirections.They wouldneedsomeonetodirectthembyusing"north,south,east,orwest"tounderstandwheretogo (Boroditsky,2010)LanguagescanbeafuturetenselanguageorfuturelesslanguageAfutured languageiswhendiscussingthefuturegrammaticallythelanguageforcesthepersontoseparatethe futureandpresentastwodifferentthings.Whileafuturelesslanguagereferstothefutureand presentidentically.Thesetwodifferenceforceslanguagestoviewsthingsinacertainwaywhich cancausethefuturelesslanguagetosavemoreandtobeingstartingsomethingsoonerbecausethey donotseethefutureandpresentastwodifferentthingsAllthesefactorsoflanguagealldoone thingtoaculture,itaffectsissocialreality(Chen,2012).TheChineseculturespeakstwolanguages buttheonebeingfocusedonisMandarin.WhileMandarinisoneoftwolanguagesspokenwithin theculture,two–thirdsofChinesepeopleclaimtospeakitMandarinisreferredtoasan independentlanguagebutcanbeclassifiedasadialectofChineseculture.Mandarinisamemberof theSiniticGroupoftheSino–Tibetanlanguage.Itisconsideredatonallanguagebyitsuseof

...Getmorecontent...

Ihavesomething;somethingthatcannotbeseenorheld;somethingthatcannotbeheardorsmelled. SomethingthatIcan'tquiteexplain;somethingimpossibletoexchange.Itlieswithinonlyme,it mustbemyculturalidentity.Culturetome,issomethingthatreflectsnotonlyme,buteveryone aroundme.Cultureisn'twhereyoucamefrom,orwhereyourfamilycamefrom;it'syou,andevery aspectofyouCultureisyourlikes,yourdislikes,yourvalues,yourmorals,youraccomplishments, youropinions,etc.Youcan'tsumitupinjustasentence,orevenathousand.Cultureiscomplex,it isdistinct,itisindividual.MyculturalidentityreflectsthepersonIamtodayandthepersonIintend tobetomorrowMyculturalidentityreflectsshowmorecontent

Myculturalidentityisbestreflectedbythepeople,thehobbies,andthevaluesIcherishthemost.I couldgoonandonaboutwhoIam,andwhatmakesmewhoIam.Inallhonestythough,Ihaven't quitefigureditallout.Ilearnsomethingnewaboutmyselfeveryday.Ibecomemoreindependant andconfidenteveryday.Igroweveryday.Yourculturalidentitycannotbeheardorsmelled,it cannotbeseenorheldMyculturalidentityisasong,ahomerun,ahigh–fiveMyculturalidentity iswhateverIwantittobe.Myculturalidentityis

...Getmorecontent...