Having an Intercultural Communication course this semester has made me more aware of the cultures that surround me. By being more aware of the different cultures around me I am learning new things. For example I recently learned about one aspect of another culture from another instructor at school. My Instructor's mother recently passed away. She informed us that she would be taking a leave of absence to honor her mother's death by "Sitting Shiva." This is a Jewish custom which allows for the honoring of the deceased as well as a time for loved ones to mourn their loss (http://www.judaica-guide.com/sitting_shivah/).
Sitting Shiva takes place for seven days after the funeral of the loved one. During these seven days the mourners are not allowed to do the following:
-They mustn't do any form of work, apart from cooking and cleaning the house. -They mustn't wear leather shoes. -They mustn't have intercourse during the Shivah. -They are not allowed to learn Torah, apart from learning mourning rules, reciting psalms or reading the books of Job and Lamentations. -They mustn't greet anyone "hello" or "goodbye", but after the first three days they may answer if someone else has asked them for their well being. -They may not wash their clothes, iron them, or wear clean clothes. -They may only sit on cushions and mattresses, or on stools that are less than 30 cm high. -They mustn't leave the house, apart from going to the synagogue on Sabbath and going to their homes late at night (if they have trouble sleeping where the Shivah is held). -They aren't allowed to shave, have their hair cut, or cut their nails for 30 days (including the 7 days of the Shivah). -They are not allowed to attend joyful events for 30 days, and if they are mourning one of their parents, they are not allowed to do so for 12 months. However, they are allowed to attend a wedding or a Brit Milah of their own child even during the Shivah itself.
(List is from http://www.judaica-guide.com/sitting_shivah/).
It was interesting to learn about my one aspect of my instructor's religious identity. In her culture, Sitting Shiva is an important way to honor a loved one. Many daily activities are sacrificed during this period of time to focus on the deceased, and to deal with the loss. This custom is very different than what I know for honoring a deceased family member. I appreciate the time her culture spends honoring their loved one, and coping with the loss. My instructor taught me about her culture, and I appreciate it. She taught me something beyond the Lifespan Development course I signed up for this semester.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Identity
Identity is usually defined as being the characteristics that make a person an individual. Do we really only have one identity? I believe that there are many different identities that make us who we are. Judith Martin and Thomas Nakayama list 10 different identities in Experiencing Intercultural Communication: An Introduction. The identities include:
1. Gender Identity
2. Sexual Identity
3. Age Identity
4. Racial and Ethnic Identity
5. Physical Ability Identity
6. Religious Identity
7. Class Identity
8. National Identity
9. Regional Identity
10. Personal Identity
These identities are separate, and combined make up our personal identity. Some of the identities, which make up our personal identity, are influenced by other people in society. For example religious identity is usually something we acquire from our parents. I was baptized into the Catholic Church by my parents choice, not my own. My class identity was determined by my parents as well. I am from a middle class family, and that is how I define my class identity today.
It is interesting that who we are is not always by our own choice. Our gender and sexual identities are very likely based on our biology. Our age identity is determined by our birth, which we also have no control over. Race and ethnicity are determined by our ancestors.
Some of the identities we can control include our national and regional identities. We have the choice to move if we would like to identify ourselves as another nationality or redefine what region we are from. To some extent we have control over our physical ability identity. We are able to exercise and eat healthily to maintain good physical ability identity.
Our personal identity is made up of many different identities. Some identities we have control over, and others we do not. These identities are what make us similar and different to one another.
1. Gender Identity
2. Sexual Identity
3. Age Identity
4. Racial and Ethnic Identity
5. Physical Ability Identity
6. Religious Identity
7. Class Identity
8. National Identity
9. Regional Identity
10. Personal Identity
These identities are separate, and combined make up our personal identity. Some of the identities, which make up our personal identity, are influenced by other people in society. For example religious identity is usually something we acquire from our parents. I was baptized into the Catholic Church by my parents choice, not my own. My class identity was determined by my parents as well. I am from a middle class family, and that is how I define my class identity today.
It is interesting that who we are is not always by our own choice. Our gender and sexual identities are very likely based on our biology. Our age identity is determined by our birth, which we also have no control over. Race and ethnicity are determined by our ancestors.
Some of the identities we can control include our national and regional identities. We have the choice to move if we would like to identify ourselves as another nationality or redefine what region we are from. To some extent we have control over our physical ability identity. We are able to exercise and eat healthily to maintain good physical ability identity.
Our personal identity is made up of many different identities. Some identities we have control over, and others we do not. These identities are what make us similar and different to one another.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Family History
"Family histories occur at the same time as other histories but on a more personal level." (Martin & Nakayama, 65). In my family this statement is very true. Political history affected my family's immigration to the United States. My great grandparents came to the United States from Europe. There is some debate over which European country my family actually came from. Some people say Poland, and others say Germany. I believe that my family is actually of Polish decent. I think that because of the political history happening concurrently my ancestors immigration, that they may have not told the truth about where they were from. I believe the events of World War II were what influenced my family to lie about where we came from. Although I do not know where exactly my family is from, I feel that my family history has greatly influenced the person I am today.
It is interesting to think about family history and how it relates to who we are today. Because of the choices of my family members, I live in the United States and was raised Catholic. We celebrate Christmas and Easter, and speak English. If my family were from another country, I may have completely different religious beliefs and speak a different language. I appreciate what I have today. It is hard for me to imagine growing up in a different culture and in a different family. I also appreciate that our country is very diverse. Intercultural communication in the U.S. can help me understand other cultures, their histories, and customs. When relating our history to people of other cultures, we can learn a lot about ourselves and the people around us.
It is interesting to think about family history and how it relates to who we are today. Because of the choices of my family members, I live in the United States and was raised Catholic. We celebrate Christmas and Easter, and speak English. If my family were from another country, I may have completely different religious beliefs and speak a different language. I appreciate what I have today. It is hard for me to imagine growing up in a different culture and in a different family. I also appreciate that our country is very diverse. Intercultural communication in the U.S. can help me understand other cultures, their histories, and customs. When relating our history to people of other cultures, we can learn a lot about ourselves and the people around us.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Family Sayings and Values
Values are defined as "deeply felt beliefs that are shared by a cultural group and that reflect a perception of what ought to be, not what is." (Martin, 37). Our cultural groups influence our values. Our parents are members of our cultural group who usually have the most influence in our values. One way they are able to influence values is with their commonly used statements or sayings.
It is interesting to think about the sayings that my parents liked to use when I was little. One of their favorites was "You can do anything you put your mind to." I believed them. They also instilled in my siblings and I a good work ethic. My parents taught me that if I worked hard and had a goal in mind, that I could reach it. I feel very lucky to have been taught these values.
After having a few different jobs, I see that not everyone may have been taught these same values. I have had coworkers who do not work very hard. I also have been around people who think they are entitled to great things without having to work for them. I feel like they are wrong. Because of what my parents taught me, I value hard work to reach your goals. If you have a good work ethic and are striving to reach a goal, you will have success.
It is interesting to think about the sayings that my parents liked to use when I was little. One of their favorites was "You can do anything you put your mind to." I believed them. They also instilled in my siblings and I a good work ethic. My parents taught me that if I worked hard and had a goal in mind, that I could reach it. I feel very lucky to have been taught these values.
After having a few different jobs, I see that not everyone may have been taught these same values. I have had coworkers who do not work very hard. I also have been around people who think they are entitled to great things without having to work for them. I feel like they are wrong. Because of what my parents taught me, I value hard work to reach your goals. If you have a good work ethic and are striving to reach a goal, you will have success.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Reflection On Our First Discussion Post
The six imperatives listed in our text book for Intercultural Communication include:
1. Peace
2. Economy
3. Technology
4. Demographics
5. Self Awareness
6. Ethics
We were asked to individually rank them according to their importance in intercultural communication. We then had to respond to how our group members ranked the imperatives. I found it to be an interesting exercise. We all ranked Self Awareness as the #1 imperative. After that our lists varied. The biggest differences I found were in our rankings of Technology and Peace. I thought that peace would happen if we could effectively use all of the other intercultural communication imperatives effectively so it was at the bottom of my list. Some of my group members ranked it much higher. Another surprise to me was that my group members had technology at the bottom of their list. I the main communication tool today is technology, and that it is very important in intercultural communication. It was not at the bottom of my list.
Although our lists varied, I think we all had valid points in ranking the imperatives as each of us did. I think I am really going to enjoy working as a group. I really liked to see how each of us had a different perspective on the importance of the imperatives. We all can learn a lot from one another, and I look forward to doing so throughout this semester!
1. Peace
2. Economy
3. Technology
4. Demographics
5. Self Awareness
6. Ethics
We were asked to individually rank them according to their importance in intercultural communication. We then had to respond to how our group members ranked the imperatives. I found it to be an interesting exercise. We all ranked Self Awareness as the #1 imperative. After that our lists varied. The biggest differences I found were in our rankings of Technology and Peace. I thought that peace would happen if we could effectively use all of the other intercultural communication imperatives effectively so it was at the bottom of my list. Some of my group members ranked it much higher. Another surprise to me was that my group members had technology at the bottom of their list. I the main communication tool today is technology, and that it is very important in intercultural communication. It was not at the bottom of my list.
Although our lists varied, I think we all had valid points in ranking the imperatives as each of us did. I think I am really going to enjoy working as a group. I really liked to see how each of us had a different perspective on the importance of the imperatives. We all can learn a lot from one another, and I look forward to doing so throughout this semester!
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