21:27 - 
No comments
No comments
TESOL 103: 10/15/18; Cultural Paradigms
One of the great things about studying other cultures is the broadening of perspectives. I had numerous opportunities to interact with many people from different cultures. Through work, I got to work with indigenous people, and those apart of the Hutterite colonies. It is amazing to see how different cultures can view things differently. A persons culture can determine our ideals and beliefs. Culture can help us decide what is deemed appropriate behavior, or how to interact with others. Culture can even determine what is beautiful. This week I viewed three videos that portray or discussed various cultural differences, and even how situation are viewed.
The first video was a college professor giving a classroom lecture on cultural paradigms. The instructor talked about an ancient Hawaiian king that was fed up with the perverted nature of the many Peeping Tom men in his kingdom. The king was so fed up that he was going institute the death penalty for any of the men caught peeping on the women. According to the king of that time, and that culture, these men were perverted because they would watch women eat. That ancient culture believed is to be inappropriate for men and women to eat together. Imagine for a moment how the king would react if he walked into a modern day food court, or saw a family eating together. He would be horrified. This story is a perfect example on how cultural difference can cause misunderstandings, even judgements.
Another video that I watched was a clip from a National Geographic documentary titled "Cultural Differences." The video shows the adjustment that a group of young men from Sudan had to undertake when they moved to the United States. The boys were astonished on how Americans are more solitary. Property is private, and it isn't common for people to be alone. The boys grew up in a culture where there was more interaction, even from strangers. The boys would stay in groups and do everything together. It bothered many of the community members, because they feared the boys were behaving like a gang. The boys were just doing what felt natural to them according to their culture. I can't help but ponder, how would I react as the community member, or how would I react if I was one of the boys.
The next video that I watched really opened my eyes on the way culture can shape our opinions. In a Ted Talk, there was a woman from Africa discussing her experiences as a thin African girl, where thinness was considered sickly and ugly. The woman shares her experiences being bullied at school, and her parents concern that she won't get married. She talks about the many diets that her doctors put her on to help her gain weight. She was considered ugly in Africa, but when she came to America, she was suddenly beautiful. She wondered if she should believe those in Africa, or those in America: was she ugly or beautiful. She ended up deciding that it didn't matter how others saw her. It mattered how she saw herself.
There are so many cultures in the world. I have worked with indigenous people where living with extended family is common. I have worked with Hutterite people where a person's role in the society is determined by gender. Through my personal experiences, and through the many things I have read and watched about culture, I have determined that no matter the culture of a person, there must always be kindness. As cultures collide, there is a greater chance of avoiding misunderstandings if there is patience and kindness. If we each try to understand each other's culture and perspective, I see fewer misunderstandings are more common understanding. As a future teacher it is my responsibility to understand different cultures, and have a classroom that is safe for all cultures, and open to learning from each other.
I have attached the Ted talk video and the National Geographic video for you to view. I hope you take the opportunity to view these videos and gain a better understanding of people and their cultures.
F. (2009, October 23). Cultural Differences National Geographic. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BT0kzF4A-WQ
Bright, D. (n.d.). Cultural clashes in defining beauty. Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/talks/delali_bright_cultural_clashes_in_defining_beauty
Cultural Paradigms. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://video.byui.edu/media/Cultural Paradigms/0_9w0czg1f