Blog/Learning Activity 04

I grew up in a cultural dominant family/environment. We were taught that there's a significant impact in knowing how to address your elders and we were told thay showing respect to adults means that we will unlock our blessings in life but these are the two important teachings we were taught:

1. Respect for elders and authority figures: In my culture, elderly individuals are revered for their wisdom and life experience. This has instilled in me a deep respect for authority figures and a tendency to prioritize their opinions and guidance.

2. Importance of community and collective responsibility: My ethnic group places a strong emphasis on the well-being of the community over individual success. This has taught me to prioritize the needs of others and recognize the interconnectedness of our lives.

Engaging with people from different tribes, i have realized that the emphasis on respect for authority figures was familiar to them, as they shared a similar cultural background. However, the importance of community and collective responsibility was strange to them, as their culture prioritizes individual achievement.

In this evaluation, i recognized my bias towards prioritizing authority figures' opinions and acknowledged how this might limit my ability to question and challenge established power structures. My peers pointed out their own prejudice towards individual success, recognizing how this might lead them to overlook the value of community support.

Through this exchange, we critically reflected on our biases and prejudices, acknowledging how our ethnic backgrounds and upbringings shape our worldviews. We realized that understanding and respecting our differences can help us challenge our assumptions and foster a more inclusive and empathetic perspective.

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Learning Activity 02:

The warm beams of sunlight streaming through my window when I woke up this morning gave my room a golden hue. The kitchen smelled delicious, like freshly brewed coffee, and it made me want to start my day. My senses were stimulated when I sipped my coffee, its rich flavor dancing on my tongue. The clear morning air filled my lungs as I walked to class, and the sounds of the natural world—birds tweeting and leaves rustling—created a symphony of noises. My day was brightened by the vivid hues of the trees and flowers along the route. The sound of the air conditioner and the smell of ancient books made the classroom feel cozy and comfortable. My mind was filled with vivid images thanks to the words, and I was absorbed in the conversation. Later, I went to a busy café with pals for lunch. The air was filled with the smells of freshly baked bread and the sounds of conversation and laughing. Our talk flowed like an elaborate tapestry as we exchanged tales and personal experiences. As the day came to an end, I felt the soft breeze carry the day's whispers away as I watched the sunset, which was a rainbow of pinks, oranges, and purples. My pillow's softness and the still darkness that surrounded my bed lulled me into a restful sleep. My day was filled with sensory encounters that woven a vibrant tapestry of memories, serving as a constant reminder of life's beauty and vitality.

Learning activity 01: Through the study of Unit 2 and the parodic examples offered, I have gotten a deeper knowledge of how language can be utilized to establish identities and representations of people, often producing difference through othering, stereotypes, exoticization, disinformation, and distortion. The works of Wainana (2005) and Miner (1956) skillfully highlight the foolishness of simplifying complex civilizations to simplistic and false depictions. Ngozi and Bart-Williams' TEDTalks stressed the pitfalls of telling a single tale and the significance of questioning our assumptions. Reflecting on my own preconceptions and stigmatizations, I discovered that I frequently had positive prejudices about some cultures, presuming they are more "enlightened" or "progressive." However, this assumption generates a "otherness" that reduces the diversity and individuality inside those cultures.I also realized that I have negative perceptions about specific groups that are often the result of misinformation or a lack of exposure. This reflection has taught me that my preconceptions, both good and negative, can aid in the formation of "otherness" and perpetuate damaging stereotypes. I have learned the necessity of confronting my own biases, seeking diverse perspectives, and accepting the richness of cultures and individuals. By acknowledging and working to overcome my assumptions, I aspire to become a more sympathetic and inclusive individual, understanding the worth of multiple tales and experiences.