Sunday, September 22, 2013
American Political System
Assignment 11
The essay I chose was his reflection about filling out his passport.
People have a tendency to accept what is familiar to them. When people travel and see
other cultures, there is an inclination to hug their values and culture, for fear of the unknown
He suggest that another way of looking at it as humorously, as was his custom in writing. If one
looked at it as such, you wouldn't take things so seriously, that in itself would allow them
to see validity in other cultures and values.
I think he was trying to say that,do not let our own tradition of culture, stop us from looking at another culture as invalid, or look at it as strange. But looking at it with humor,it won't be taken
so seriously and therefore, we won't be blinded by our own idiosyncrasy.
I chose this because looking at my life, I see different cultures as this melting pot theory in America
creates so much diversity.If we could be more humorous then maybe we wouldn't have so much
ethnic conflict. We would then have more respect for the differences in others culture, and value.
Creating more brotherhood and love of all people.
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William, nowhere in the world would you find so many differing ethnicity as in this country. Yes they mostly live in their own cliques and enclaves but when they do associate, it’s a wonderful thing. I live in New York City like most of you do and in “my” neighborhood there is this beautiful mix of various cultures that makes it so nice. There are Indian restaurants next to the Bodega, the Irish bar mirrors the Italian club and the Thai place complements the Ethiopian café. This is possible because everyone follows the same rules of law. I have no doubt they speak and practice their own traditions amongst themselves, but around their fellow men they adapt to co-exist. Can you imagine if everyone follows their own rules? When there is order and structure, there is peace and prosperity, and this land provides this to those who wants it. I use Lehman College frequently as an example of ethnic coexistence and I challenge you to go up to someone not of your ethnicity and introduce yourself and show your appreciation of this wonderful thing called “diversity.” Let the Politicians wage wars…we will show love for our fellow man.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your statement about the differing ethnicity in the city. I think your neighborhood is the exception and not the rule. I commend you for being able to experience that type of environment. For some that kind of community does not exist.e.g.look at Brooklyn where there has been a tremendous amount of conflict, amidst all the diversity. I do agree that love will conquer all.
DeleteI like this quote too. I think the urge to laugh at another culture has always been a very common defense mechanism used by people who feel insecure about the significance of their own cultures. But I also like the idea of laughing with another culture as opposed to laughing at it. He still encourages seeing another culture in a humorous light but not to shut it down or point out its flaws, but rather to let your own guard down and share a pleasant moment revolving around a new foreign experience.
ReplyDeleteWe agree on the same things,I too believe that laughter ca allow us to I guess agree to disagree. That in itself will allow us to communicate with each other and with respect.
ReplyDeleteThe whole idea of the melting pot is very important. I really liked his humoristic way of critizicing the questionnarie he was answer. Reality is we all have had to say, yeah right to some questionnaries in our lives and we simply answer what is best for us to answer.
ReplyDelete