Watching the movie Tuesday's with Morrie in sociology this week, it broadened my view of how the values of American culture unknowingly seep into the nooks and crannies of our character and personality.
In the movie, Morrie greatly emphasizes love. Love was ultimately a topic that made the protagonist uncomfortable as he typically saw love to be strictly romantic. Although I don't think we can judge whether it's a commonality for Americans to culturally to be afraid to love or to receive love, there are definitely cultural hindrances in America that may take away from a loving experience.
Americans value practicality, directness, and a strong work ethic; basically, Americans are do-ers. Because of these values, we tend to outlaw emotion-based decision making as our emotions typically don't guide us into accomplishing tasks on time, or make the work environment more professional. Americans tend to focus more on what needs to be accomplished and what they can do to achieve their long term goals, rather than advocate questions like "how do you feel about that?" Because the American culture promotes individuals to become do-ers, this has altered a complete perception of our emotions as we're not accustomed, nor see those around us, to be publicly emotional. Therefore, love is a topic that most view to be strictly romantic because what we see in movies, books, and even national holidays like Valentine's day target love to be a sappy emotion that only couples share.
However, the protagonist in the movie realizes the love he shares with Morrie is not romantic but nonetheless love. Morrie helps the protagonist become comfortable with his emotions when the protagonist shows his love for Morrie through his tears and deep grief for Morrie's decaying when he breaks down in irrevocable sobs. This is a huge turning point for the protagonist as he is no longer afraid to feel deep emotion, show his mourning through tears, and he ultimately learns how to express his love.
As a culture, I believe that it's not whether we fail to accept or give love, I believe we don't know how to love. Love is felt between those who we would feel lost, lonely, and incomplete without. Love allows us to put others first and put our egos aside. You may love someone differently than you love someone else simply because the relationships we poses with others are not all the same, nor the people or circumstances. Although love is often over-complicated, it should be simple. If you love someone, romantically or not, you will always find a way to stay together--and everything else will follow. American culture is warped up in innovative technology, progressiveness, due dates, and work ethic; but we don't always learn how to love.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Cultural Numbness
The concept of subcultures and cultural values were the main focuses of class this week. The discussions in class orbited around how we, as Americans, view our culture and how it subconsciously influences our character and decisions.
Although I thought being bicultural would elevate my perception of American cultural and values, I discovered how these values shaped me as a person much more than I hoped. Reading Kohl's "Values American's Live by" in class, Kohl explains for Americans to more direct, honest, and casual in their manners and habits than other cultures. When I'm greeting my friends or meeting my parents' work friends, I often use the same greeting--usually a form of 'hello' or 'how are you.' Whereas in Russian culture, there are different forms of saying hello that should be appropriately used depending on different types of situations and what is deemed more respectful.
Kohl also points out that Americans are in no way humble in their opinions, as they're eager to deliver their evaluations, and "...consider anything other than the most direct and open approach to be dishonest and insincere and will quickly lose confidence in and distrust anyone who hints at what is intended rather than saying it outright." Ironically, Americans are good at tucking cultural issues under the carpet just well as they deliver evaluations. For instance, Chris Jordan in his TED talk points out that more than 400,000 people die from the addiction of cigarette smoking every year. We seem to look at this number lacking empathy because the statistic is so great and intangible that it doesn't register in our minds. Compared to the response that reverberated around the world of the 3,000 deaths of Americans in 9/11, and will continue to be talked about through history. Jordan makes the connection that 1,100 Americans died due to cigarette smoking on the same day of 9/11, and 1,100 Americans will continue to pass away each day from smoking; though as a culture we dismiss the cigarette statistic and create excuses that the tobacco lobbyists are too powerful, or that it's out of our personal control to regulate. He also advocates that one third of all deaths caused by overdoses are due to the overdoses of over the counter prescription medication. Such statistical data Jordan points out is measured on such an enormous scale, that we're unable to perceive how largely it affects our culture; and as a result, we don't do much about it. Americans tend to dismiss these cultural phenomenons as it has numbness our sense of assertiveness. Although as Americans we may take pride in our verbal directness and honesty, it's important to approach these values from an opposite angle, and comprehend how they affect us on a larger, cultural scale.
Although I thought being bicultural would elevate my perception of American cultural and values, I discovered how these values shaped me as a person much more than I hoped. Reading Kohl's "Values American's Live by" in class, Kohl explains for Americans to more direct, honest, and casual in their manners and habits than other cultures. When I'm greeting my friends or meeting my parents' work friends, I often use the same greeting--usually a form of 'hello' or 'how are you.' Whereas in Russian culture, there are different forms of saying hello that should be appropriately used depending on different types of situations and what is deemed more respectful.
Kohl also points out that Americans are in no way humble in their opinions, as they're eager to deliver their evaluations, and "...consider anything other than the most direct and open approach to be dishonest and insincere and will quickly lose confidence in and distrust anyone who hints at what is intended rather than saying it outright." Ironically, Americans are good at tucking cultural issues under the carpet just well as they deliver evaluations. For instance, Chris Jordan in his TED talk points out that more than 400,000 people die from the addiction of cigarette smoking every year. We seem to look at this number lacking empathy because the statistic is so great and intangible that it doesn't register in our minds. Compared to the response that reverberated around the world of the 3,000 deaths of Americans in 9/11, and will continue to be talked about through history. Jordan makes the connection that 1,100 Americans died due to cigarette smoking on the same day of 9/11, and 1,100 Americans will continue to pass away each day from smoking; though as a culture we dismiss the cigarette statistic and create excuses that the tobacco lobbyists are too powerful, or that it's out of our personal control to regulate. He also advocates that one third of all deaths caused by overdoses are due to the overdoses of over the counter prescription medication. Such statistical data Jordan points out is measured on such an enormous scale, that we're unable to perceive how largely it affects our culture; and as a result, we don't do much about it. Americans tend to dismiss these cultural phenomenons as it has numbness our sense of assertiveness. Although as Americans we may take pride in our verbal directness and honesty, it's important to approach these values from an opposite angle, and comprehend how they affect us on a larger, cultural scale.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
The Lost Boys
Expanding upon our discussions of culture shock, we watched a movie about refugees coming to America and experiencing modern culture, it's titled God Grew Tired of Us. It was very interesting to see The Lost Boys, or the refugees, to encounter things that we deem to be simplistic; such as donuts, light switches, balloons, and packaged snacks.
As the movie went in depth of their experience, the Lost Boys discussed how they were very lonely in American culture; not because they didn't know anyone, but because Americans are not as nearly friendly or open as African cultures are in Sudan. The Lost Boys explained that Sudanese typically welcome newcomers in their house, and like to spend their time with large groups of friends and family. While in America, we typically call the cops if strangers persist to meet us in our own households and we live by "solitude is bliss."
Watching the movie made me largely aware of how isolated American culture really is. Of course everyone enjoys company once and awhile, or we like to have someone to tag along with to go to the movies, but Americans are much more independent than most cultures. Perhaps this is because of the American Dream, and at a young age we're all taught that we're in a land of opportunities where we must strive for our own personal success to become the very best we can be. The American Dream itself exemplifies the competitiveness between individuals, causing us to focus on our internal goals and do what is necessary for ourselves.
Although the Lost Boys ultimately came to America to achieve the American Dream, this also means that they'll be greatly influenced by the isolationist American culture. Perhaps Americans should take a break from blaming technology for their hindered communication, and reflect upon how naturally lonely American culture can be.
As the movie went in depth of their experience, the Lost Boys discussed how they were very lonely in American culture; not because they didn't know anyone, but because Americans are not as nearly friendly or open as African cultures are in Sudan. The Lost Boys explained that Sudanese typically welcome newcomers in their house, and like to spend their time with large groups of friends and family. While in America, we typically call the cops if strangers persist to meet us in our own households and we live by "solitude is bliss."
Watching the movie made me largely aware of how isolated American culture really is. Of course everyone enjoys company once and awhile, or we like to have someone to tag along with to go to the movies, but Americans are much more independent than most cultures. Perhaps this is because of the American Dream, and at a young age we're all taught that we're in a land of opportunities where we must strive for our own personal success to become the very best we can be. The American Dream itself exemplifies the competitiveness between individuals, causing us to focus on our internal goals and do what is necessary for ourselves.
Although the Lost Boys ultimately came to America to achieve the American Dream, this also means that they'll be greatly influenced by the isolationist American culture. Perhaps Americans should take a break from blaming technology for their hindered communication, and reflect upon how naturally lonely American culture can be.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Supernatural
One of the most interesting topics we focused on in sociology this week was culture shock. Feeling disoriented, or out of place, in a new cultural environment is described as culture shock. My previous post about my confusion of the "black-hole" washing machines in England would serve the best example of complete and utter confusion of culture shock; however, a more cultural-difference type of example came to mind.
My family originally came to America from Russia and experiencing a culture shock, on any level, was inevitable. Growing up on the borderline of American and Russian culture, I have come to notice certain cultural differences. The most captivating and unique difference that I've recognized are the types of superstitions present in each culture.
Russians are known to be quite superstitious. If you leave the house to later realize that you've forgotten something, it's considered bad luck to return for the item. Or if you've returned for the item, you mustn't dare look at your reflection in the mirror. Whistling inside the house or opening up your umbrella inside the house is a taboo, and if you're afraid to stir the negative energies in the universe and jinx yourself, you must spit across your shoulder three times. And there are many, many more.
Though Russians seem to take their superstitions seriously, the American superstitions that I can recall have been introduced to me, by my friends when we were kids, as we tried to scare each other with supernatural stories. For instance, you must lift your feet in any moving vehicle when going over train tracks or under a bridge. Holding your breath or touching something red when passing a graveyard will save you from the frightening supernatural energies of the universe.
The only common superstitions I could muster up are that to not jinx anything you must knock on wood, and if a black cat crosses the street before you--you better turn around and find a new path.
Although some may find superstitions to be humorous or absurd, all cultures commonly contain superstitions or rituals in hope to scare off the spooky supernatural energies. Being in a different cultural environment and encountering someone doing a ''supernatural ritual'' may definitely leave you culture-shocked; not only because the individual's actions may seem completely out of the ordinary without any warning, but because it's interesting to encounter cultures that have very different superstitions We often leave superstitions for the gullible, but more often we find ourselves obeying them simply because we know deep down we don't want to disturb the cosmic demons.
My family originally came to America from Russia and experiencing a culture shock, on any level, was inevitable. Growing up on the borderline of American and Russian culture, I have come to notice certain cultural differences. The most captivating and unique difference that I've recognized are the types of superstitions present in each culture.
Russians are known to be quite superstitious. If you leave the house to later realize that you've forgotten something, it's considered bad luck to return for the item. Or if you've returned for the item, you mustn't dare look at your reflection in the mirror. Whistling inside the house or opening up your umbrella inside the house is a taboo, and if you're afraid to stir the negative energies in the universe and jinx yourself, you must spit across your shoulder three times. And there are many, many more.
Though Russians seem to take their superstitions seriously, the American superstitions that I can recall have been introduced to me, by my friends when we were kids, as we tried to scare each other with supernatural stories. For instance, you must lift your feet in any moving vehicle when going over train tracks or under a bridge. Holding your breath or touching something red when passing a graveyard will save you from the frightening supernatural energies of the universe.
The only common superstitions I could muster up are that to not jinx anything you must knock on wood, and if a black cat crosses the street before you--you better turn around and find a new path.
Although some may find superstitions to be humorous or absurd, all cultures commonly contain superstitions or rituals in hope to scare off the spooky supernatural energies. Being in a different cultural environment and encountering someone doing a ''supernatural ritual'' may definitely leave you culture-shocked; not only because the individual's actions may seem completely out of the ordinary without any warning, but because it's interesting to encounter cultures that have very different superstitions We often leave superstitions for the gullible, but more often we find ourselves obeying them simply because we know deep down we don't want to disturb the cosmic demons.
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