Based on the readings from unit six we can see that there are many different types of beliefs that stem from different groups. In this blog I am propelled to explore my beliefs from own ethnic group and how my own cultural background and these beliefs have significantly influenced my view of the world. With these beliefs that my ethnic group, they help to remind me to constantly examine my prejudices, preconceptions and assumptions.

From a semi-Afrikaans heritage, I have learnt that woman are the “mother” of the group. We belong in the kitchen ensuring that our families can survive, and our “men” get enough food and sleep to be able to work hard enough to support us. Woman have been given this title as the caregivers, we have been taught from young that when it comes to the household, we must ensure that there is food for everyone, the house and clothes are clean until the next woman can our that spot. Either when your son gets married or when your daughter gets married.

The next belief is that there is automatic respect for elder generations. Elders are regarded as the keepers of wisdom, without them we won’t have the knowledge t o be able to survive and that is why we should respect them, no matter what race they are. Respect for elders also reinforces the importance of storytelling and passing down cultural values from one generation to another.

Reflecting on these two beliefs, I realized how they have shaped my view of the world, influencing my values, attitudes, behaviors and how I will probably pass these beliefs down onto my own children one day. These serve as a reminder to examine my prejudices, preconceptions and assumptions.

My type of networks.

Everywhere in life we encounter some sort of network. Whether it be the network we use on our mobile phones or the network of people we meet and see every day. Every person has their own networks and use them on their own accord. Some people that form part of the network can be closer than others. I, for one, have some people that are much closer to me than others are.

The people I see on a daily occasion all for part of the network that is more the outer, not so close network. They are the people I greet when I walk past the or when I go to a store I regularly visit and I greet the cashier, or even the individual behind the bar counter who serve me my drink when I go out with the closer part of my networks. They are the people that only form part of my story, and they don’t necessarily have a big impact on what I do and how I live life.

The closer network that isn’t my ride or die network is formed by people I encounter more frequently. They are the friends I have made in class so far but are not that close of friend that I can tell them all the tea and drama. These people usually add to my good mood, and they keep the days happy, bright and entertaining. 

My most important network is formed by all the people closest to me. These people consist out of my mom, dad, best friend, close friends I  have made so far and all the people that have contributed to a part of my life and changed it in one way or another.

Every person experiences networks in their own way. They also have their own sets of unique networks that works for them. Whether it’s a close network or just a network that they experience in their daily life. I know I have my own networks that work for me. One more important than the other, but who doesn’t have their ride or die network…

Thursday the 13th of March, we start bright at about four o'clock in the morning when I finally arrived home after a long night of partying. My legs are tired and my feet are sore. I finally fell asleep at five. At about seven o'clock my best friend phoned, I could barely keep my eyes open while talking talking to her. My eyelids felt so heavy and all I could think about was going back to dreamland.

I finally woke up at eleven o'clock again, feeling much more refreshed. The next thing was to shower and start getting ready for my one o'clock class - which was Psychology. At quarter to one one I started walking to my class, as soon as I stepped outside of my building all I could feeling was the burning heat of the sun on my shoulder. I could feel myself getting hot and all I could think about was walking faster to get to my class where I knew there was air conditioning. Walking on campus is always such an amazing experience for me because I am a people watcher. It interests me to know how other people are reacting to each other. Their body language towards each other and so on. 

Sitting in my class I felt relaxed and happy but to be honest I don't know why because didn't actually have any idea what was happening in the class because I was to busy giggling with my friends instead of focusing. 

At about three my friend and I decided to go shopping for things we need for tonight's aksie but all I could think about was the rugby that the hostels were going to be playing tonight. I could feel myself get excited, the adrenaline pumping through my veins. 

And now as I sit here with my friend straightening my hair, the heat from the straightener heating the backside of my neck - I am wondering if everything I have written is what our  lecturer wanted from us.

As we known the definition of othering is treating people as if they are inferior or they are different in some way, so therefore we can see how that relates social anthropology which is the study of human societies and cultures and their development. We all as people have an automatic subconscious reaction to group people who have similar attributes together or as they say in anthropology "othering". Why do we do this ?

Because stereotyping is something that comes into play to categorize people into groups - it is where our brain doesn't like to have something different and not know how to understand it - that is why our brain naturally groups people in 'boxes' for organization. 

From Miner, Body of the Ritual, we can see how it automatically makes the reader wonder about different cultures. And how when reading all of his work do we wonder how that influences our culture - or specifically mine as the reader. We will then automatically make the assumption or stereotype that anyone from the North America region will have similar rituals, whether it spiritually or has to do with the body. Therefore I personally feel like people will have a negative connotation towards them because their rituals might not be something that we are used to and instead of wanting to learn from them we slowly start to fear them. 

In conclusion we can see that stereotyping and "othering" has made people feel vulnerable or scared of other humans, cultures or religions because they are to fearful to attempt to find out what happens behind closed doors.