Reflection About Culture

to allow people a piece of sanity and balance within their lifestyle. When it comes to culture

This past semester we have discussed four separate and different societies and cultures. Throughout this reflection essay, I will reflect what culture is and what I have learned what culture is based on this course. As well discuss what I have learned from each of the units. Also, reflect on the course and how the class has helped me develop and transform my academic skills.

During this class, Ministry, Culture, and Contextual Analysis we were instructed to observe a faith tradition unlike our own, to expose ourselves to a cross culture awareness and experience, and interpret what we observe.

The cultural assignment allowed me to gain a new perspective on the differences of others. I have grown up in a household of dissimilar belief systems. My mom is a dedicated Christian while my dad is unassociated with any religious beliefs. Though, he grew up as a Jehovah’s Witness. There differing belief systems have been the cause of various conflicts within their relationship. I often wondered if people with contradicting beliefs could effectively and peacefully discuss their belief systems. This cultural experience showed me that a peaceful discussion is possible between individuals of dissimilar beliefs.

Upon completion of this course, in additional to all of the life experiences I have been involved in over the semester, I have gained valuable insights in regard to my cultural background. While gathering information for the ancestor writing assignment, correspondingly choosing Ikebana as the topic for an occupation evidence paper, I discovered how and why Japanese culture has influenced over my family’s cultural identity. By reason of my mother's side of the family whom resided in Taiwan during and likely before the period between 1895 and 1945, while Taiwan was under Japanese rule and was a dependency of the Empire of Japan. This was a new discovery which, given a fresh perception on my own cultural background as a whole.

This class has taught me many lessons. One of the most important things that I have learned throughout this course has been about my own culture. Many discussions in class and the initial essay we wrote opened my eyes to what culture actually is; there to help me find and understand my own. Along with finding my own identity, I have become far more open minded because of this class this. Some of my original preconceptions about language have been drastically altered and that is why I decided to choose, “Identification of linguistic and cultural norms and the exploration of how norms and assumptions support institutionalized discrimination.” as the purpose of this paper, along with, “Standard language versus varieties of a language” as my topic. These give me the perfect structure for this essay. I chose this theme and topic because it was something we talked about in depth during the class. Before coming into the class I had presumptions about these particular issues that ended up changing because of this class. I feel this is something important to write about because a lot of people probably had the same preconceptions as me and need to be given the opportunity to change their minds or at least form their opinion around all the available information about the topic. Throughout history there have been many stereotypes about the different types of english in america, including my personal preconceptions before this class. Over the course of the semester, my preconceptions on

1. Culture is perceived as a way of thinking that influences the behaviors of a group of people.

Prior to taking this course, I had put very little thought into my culture – let alone grappled with the fact that culture is far more complex than something that we simply have. Early in the semester we touched upon the fact that culture is, in actuality, much more nuanced and is something practiced and experienced differently on every scale and in every interaction throughout every person’s lifetime. Upon completion of the course, an investigation into my own culture will exemplify just that. First, looking at historical, cultural and family background, I will examine how my position within my unique family has shaped how I approach the world around me. Here I will tie in an especially personal element that I feel shapes many parts of my cultural identity – being the fact that I am adopted. Next, an examination of the significance of travel, migration, and languages in my life builds on tradition, but reflects an identity that I have recently taken on as an independent young adult outside of how I was raised. Then, I will touch upon how nationality and religion have been significant in my cultural socialization. I will look at how I grapple with my nationality, and how generational pressures have led to conflicts resulting in growth, development, and meaningful choices. Finally, looking closely at some of my most valued friendships, as well as the nature of my broader social life and life goals, I will argue that they largely reflect elements mentioned earlier, especially

As i strolled down my neighborhood coming from the gym, I observed my environment and was able to notice things i never commonly do, the more i walked the more i was able to smell the spices and scents that made home smell like home. Some scents smelled so familiar like my own home and mother's cooking and others unique, as a matter of fact i was able to feel the warmth from each house like a cozy blanket welcoming me in. I listened and was able to hear the laughter and joy of family dinners, movie nights, their own unique ways of bonding which embraced the fact that my community had a diversity of people who had their own way of carrying their roots. Yes, indeed they had their own ways of bonding which are different yet so similar. I concluded that many teens who grew up in their community are introduced to their culture but accumulate the traits of their environment which makes them question who or what they really are. In addition it is what shapes up our lives as we grow. How different our cultures are but yet so alike in the community.We unionize what we observe and inherit from other people and their cultures so in the end we are a mix up cultures and is what makes us diverse to modernize our culture.

There comes a point in everyone’s lives when they shift out of their comfort zone and must familiarize themselves to new cultures and socializations. For my example, it includes sharing my experience of moving from Peru, Indiana to Indianapolis for college this past year. The different ideas of socialization include social structural and social conflict and ideas of culture like idea stuff and actual stuff. I have gone through the socialization process and been culturized to a new community moving to college and learning how to adapt to the experience by; living next to the LBGTQ+ community, take care of myself, and exposed to a more politically diverse environment than where I grew up.

There are all kinds of feeling that are transpiring throughout my mind when think of the term cultural analysis. In executing the communication concepts of African American culture, I found that the Chinese and African American culture are strongly tied to their beliefs and family concepts. I define myself through my culture as being an African American male, thought out religions, education, and family is very essential in my culture. Also, being limited to making lifestyle changes, and the different ways we communicated with each other are how I define myself through my culture. Being African American my perception of my culture can be seen in unique foods, literature, religion, language, the community, family structure, the individual, music, dance, and being artist.

My cultural field trip partner was Kenyatta Danielle Williams. She goes by Danielle and is indeed a very different girl than me. If it was not for this assignment I would have most likely never come across Danielle or gotten to know her. She is a very sassy girl full of personality and humor. We are both in the Mass Communications and Journalism department, her as a broadcast journalism major and me as a photojournalism major, but that is about as far as our similarities go.

In our everyday lives, we are under the influence of consuming media and popular culture; they shape us to become who we are today which we now call it as our identity. Media and popular culture include: music, TV shows, the internet, and even the most recent fashion trend. Therefore, these are some examples from the media and popular culture that had increasingly affected my personal and social life in America since most people utilize them daily.

Culture is known as the ideas and way of life of a society. Culture can have a set of behavior and beliefs. Culture has different shared components that have to do with norms, symbols, material artifacts, values, and language. My culture has grown from the days of slavery. Within my culture we have grew from being called Negro, Colored, Black, and are now called African American. I place education as a very high value in my culture. I be believe that having and striving to accomplish getting an education is the way to build a brighter future. My family has values of working hard along with preparing for the future. My mother had twelve children. Out of the twelve siblings in my family two has already earned college degrees. I will be next in in. I shall earn an A.S. degree in Child Development along with an A.A. in Communication from Bakersfield College.

3. “Culture is what presents us with the kinds of valuable things that can fill a life. And insofar as we can recognize the value in those things and make them part of our lives, our lives are meaningful.” Gideon Rosen, Stuart Professor of Philosophy and director of the Behrman Undergraduate Society of Fellows, Princeton University. (250-650, target 500)