Culture definitions:
1. culture (noun) learned behavior of people, including their languages, belief systems, social structures, institutions, and material goods.
2. cultural identity (noun) the way a person views themselves in relation to the learned characteristics and behaviors of a group or community.
3. cultural norms - the shared, sanctioned, and integrated systems of beliefs and practices that characterize a cultural group
4. assimilation (noun) process by which people acquire the culture and habits of the dominant group.
5. acculturation: the process of adopting the traits of a cultural group.
6. unconscious cultural assumptions: a reaction or response to a different culture that is not consciously known, and which often reinforces the dominant culture's norms.
7.Institutional/systemic racism: The way a society is structured ends up giving advantages to some and disadvantages to others. This form of racism reflects the cultural assumptions of the dominant group, so that the practices of that group are seen as the norm to which other cultural practices should conform. It regularly and systematically advantages some ethnic and cultural groups and disadvantages and marginalizes others.
8. Cultural privilege - Since social status is conferred in many different ways - everything from race to gender to geography- people are both privileged and non-privileged in certain aspects of their life. Privilege is how society accommodates you. It's about advantages you have that you think are normal. It's about you being and feeling normal, and others being the deviation from normal.
9. Meritocracy - a social system, society, or organization in which people have power because of their abilities, not because of their money or social position
10. System justification - a social psychology theory that believes humans tend to defend the cultural norms and status quo and see overarching social, economic, and political systems as good. fair, and legitimate.
Cultural Profile: As we begin to discuss and explore culture we will begin with our own experiences and cultural background. As you reflect and write about your cultural identity be aware of what aspects you feel connected to and what aspects that you may feel disconnected from. Be aware that you will be asked to share your cultural profile with a small group of your peers. Please answer each question fully and to the best of your ability.
1.What is your cultural background? What is your family’s ethnic identity? Are you from another country? Are your parents from a different country? Grandparents? Great-Grandparents?
2.What cultural background/ethnic identity do you identify with most? Explain
3.What is your family/community’s religious/spiritual identity? Do you actively participate in a religious or spiritual practice (going to church, meditating, etc.)?
4.What types of foods are cooked in your family/community? Are their certain dishes or certain meals that reflect your cultural heritage?
5. Is there specific styles of music that reflect your cultural heritage? Explain.
6. Is there specific types of dress/clothing that reflect your cultural heritage?
7.What holidays and traditions are celebrated in your family/community?
8.What beliefs or ideas do your parents/guardian have that you disagree with?
9.Have you ever been treated unfairly due to your cultural identity (racism) If so explain.
10.Have you ever judged another person based on their cultural appearance? Explain.
11. Are there certain cultures/cultural groups that you are curious about? Explain.
12. Anything else you would like to share about your cultural identity?
1.What is your cultural background? What is your family’s ethnic identity? Are you from another country? Are your parents from a different country? Grandparents? Great-Grandparents?
2.What cultural background/ethnic identity do you identify with most? Explain
3.What is your family/community’s religious/spiritual identity? Do you actively participate in a religious or spiritual practice (going to church, meditating, etc.)?
4.What types of foods are cooked in your family/community? Are their certain dishes or certain meals that reflect your cultural heritage?
5. Is there specific styles of music that reflect your cultural heritage? Explain.
6. Is there specific types of dress/clothing that reflect your cultural heritage?
7.What holidays and traditions are celebrated in your family/community?
8.What beliefs or ideas do your parents/guardian have that you disagree with?
9.Have you ever been treated unfairly due to your cultural identity (racism) If so explain.
10.Have you ever judged another person based on their cultural appearance? Explain.
11. Are there certain cultures/cultural groups that you are curious about? Explain.
12. Anything else you would like to share about your cultural identity?
God Grew Tired of Us (documentary, 2006) The film explores the story of three "Lost Boys of Sudan," a group of Dinka youth who fled civil war in their native country of Sudan, spent a decade growing up in a Kenyan refugee camp, and were eventually resettled in the United States. The Dinka are the largest ethnic group in southern Sudan.
Video Clip: From Sudan to the United States
*Watch the three video clips from God Grew Tired of Us and then the click on the worksheet link below.
Video #1: Sense of Place and Community
Video #2: Cultural Differences
Video #3: Responsibillity and Leadership
Bonus Video: Sudan - The War Child (watch after you have answered the cultural identity questions)
Video #1: Sense of Place and Community
Video #2: Cultural Differences
Video #3: Responsibillity and Leadership
Bonus Video: Sudan - The War Child (watch after you have answered the cultural identity questions)
TEDTalks on Culture:
Learn a new culture - Julien S. Bourrelle
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhA9eypocE0
Race and Culture:
Levels of Racism/Prejudice:
Surface( Conscious) - Outwardly racist, saying racist things, having conscious racist beliefs that do not directly reflect the community beliefs. (ex: skinhead)
Community Supported Racism - Community/culturally shared beliefs that are not necessarily seen as surface racist but rather as shared cultural truths. (ex: racism towards African Americans during slavery)
Hidden (Unconscious) - Supporting the dominant culture's beliefs and values through the lack of awareness of one's own cultural advantages.
Levels of Racism/Prejudice:
Surface( Conscious) - Outwardly racist, saying racist things, having conscious racist beliefs that do not directly reflect the community beliefs. (ex: skinhead)
Community Supported Racism - Community/culturally shared beliefs that are not necessarily seen as surface racist but rather as shared cultural truths. (ex: racism towards African Americans during slavery)
Hidden (Unconscious) - Supporting the dominant culture's beliefs and values through the lack of awareness of one's own cultural advantages.
Systemic Racism Videos (Link)
Follow the link and watch ALL the short videos on Systemic Racism:
Please take notes on the following videos:
Wealth Gap
Employment
Housing Discrimination
Government Surveillance
Incarceration
Immigration Policy
Please include in your notes at least one fact per video clip as well as your own feelings and thoughts on each subject being discussed. The transcript is located directly above the each video clip.