Anthropology's core concept of "making the strange familiar, and the familiar strange" truly resonated with me this week. Unit 6, particularly the emphasis on questioning our own cultural lenses, made me re-evaluate a core belief within my own ethnic background – the utmost respect for elders.

In my culture, respecting elders is paramount. Deference is shown through actions – offering them the best seat, avoiding interrupting them, and prioritizing their needs. This stems from the belief that elders hold wisdom accumulated through life experiences. They are seen as repositories of tradition and guides for younger generations.

However, through anthropological readings and class discussions, I've begun to see nuances in this seemingly universal principle. In some cultures, respect for elders might not translate into blind obedience. There's a space for questioning their decisions and engaging in respectful debate. This perspective challenged my own assumption that respect equates to unquestioning acceptance.

Furthermore, the concept of "elders" itself deserves scrutiny. In some communities, respect might be accorded to individuals based on their achievements or expertise, not just age. This broadened my understanding of who deserves respect and why.

My cultural background emphasizes respecting biological elders within the family unit. However, the readings introduced the concept of respect extending beyond family to respected figures in the community. This made me realize my own narrow perspective on who deserves respect.