I-Shan Yeh's Reflection # 2

In chapter 5, the word “identity” play an important role throughout the whole chapter. Before read this chapter, I simply define identity who we are and who others think we are. In fact, there are so many different types of identity that categorized for everyone.

Sexual identity caught my attention when I read this chapter. I remember back in Thailand when I watched a transgender show with my family, I got chance to talk with one of transgender performer, Aom, after the show finished. I asked whether those transgender performers consider themselves as female or male? Aom said “she” thinks herself as a girl, as she really wanted to be a girl since she was in age of 12. Aom mentioned some of her colleagues wanted to be “kathoey” (transgender in Thai language) as they are poor people from country, and being as Kathoey performers is one of the way that they can earn a lot of money from this job. For people who like Aom, unfortunately as Thailand is a Buddhist country, the law do not let them to be third gender in their identification card. But Aom does not feel anything that bothers her, she said as long as she have a good life, she wouldn’t bother to be identify as “male” on her identification card.

Aom is being proud to tell other people her sexual identity in Thailand, and this is a great example to share with people like her that identification card is not a matter, but to know what is your identity is the most important thing.

Questions 1: Do you prefer to raise in interdependent or independent culture? Why?
Questions 2:Why do you think it is wrong to have stereotypes, and prejudice on certain identity?

Shelby Chapek Blog2

For this week I found a YouTube video that does an excellent job illustrating culture identity.  I like it because it’s easier to get a grasp of the concept rather than just reading the textbook. If you don’t have time to watch the entire video (7 minutes) the first few minutes will give you an idea of what it is about.  

In my opinion, the best part about this video is the picture (below) that is associated with culture.  The creator of this video compares culture with this famous iceberg picture.  The top of the iceberg is what each individual chooses to show about themselves or what others see.  Typically, this includes behaviors, habits, actions, words, this part of the iceberg is also the smallest part.  I think that a lot of people can agree that it is also the least important part about culture.  Hence, the largest part of the iceberg, the bottom.  The part that is typically hidden underwater.  Culture also has a part that is hidden, a part that you have to get close enough to realize it is there.  This part is usually beliefs and values.  It is also the bottom part that can be labeled as dangerous or harmful.  I think a lot of cultures keep their beliefs and values hidden because they are worried that others will view this aspect as harmful and judge their personal views.  There a lot of people in this world that will avoid the iceberg completely.  They will go far from other cultures because they view it as an obstacle rather than an opportunity to learn about another person.  

Presleigh Keplinger- reflection #2

As I read through Chapter 5, one question that caught my attention was how we come to understand who we are.  With the potential solution to this question being that who we are depends heavily on our cultural background, I realized how much growing up in a dominantly individualistic culture has impacted me and who I am.  From as young as I can remember, I have always been encouraged to be self-reliant and to “know who I am,” two aspects of American culture that are greatly valued.  Attending dominantly white elementary, middle, and high schools, I was never exposed to other cultures, especially ones in which interdependence rather that independence is the core focus.  I guess what I’ve been questioning as I read is what the purpose of being completely self-reliant serves.  It bothers me how much emphasis is put on personal growth and success in western cultures and little emphasis on communal growth and reliance.  During one of the conversations I had had with the African students, we were talking about the marriage process in their specific culture.  After they had said that cattle are used as a sort of “payment,” I asked what would happen if I didn’t have any cattle.  In response to this question, one of the African students replied that there is no “I”, that cattle is always “ours.”  They explained that cattle aren’t a single person’s, but rather cattle belonged to families as a whole.  I love the selflessness that they all seemed to possess.  I think selflessness is definitely something that the American culture in general lacks.  Like I said before, personal success is greatly valued and strived for here.  This isn’t always negative, however, as it promotes more competitiveness, which in turn creates more and more improvement.  I definitely think a good balance between independence and interdependence is something to strive for.

Questions:
Is being independent viewed as being selfish?
Are individualistic cultures or collectivist cultures more economically successful?

Alek Nyberg's Reflection #2

Reflection #2

Alek Nyberg

Comm 211 Sec 004

The term identity to me is just as confusing as using the term culture.  Both words are essentially a giant umbrella term for a very heavy and complicated subject, and that often causes people to underscore their importance in every-day life.  To me, culture plays a large part in identity, for cultural norms and standards are a very large part in the formation of a certain individual in society.  The issue is that many don’t realize that culture itself is integral to forming an identity, and this gets in the way of proper intercultural communication.  When someone grows up in a separate culture, their ideas of relationships, entertainment, traditions, and so on can be completely different from another person raised in a different culture.  Without being aware of the effect of culture, they could see each other as “weird” or “uncultured”, which is a huge detriment for both people.  In doing so, they are turning away a great learning experience, a chance to grow, and most importantly they are treating each other as less than human.  

One part that stuck out to me in this chapter were the steps for forming a minority/majority identity.  It stuck out to me, for I didn’t really agree with what was said.  The steps they gave out were definitely ideal, and if they were all followed, then everyone in the world would be excellent at multicultural communication, but this simply is not the case.  I agree with the first few steps, in which one doesn’t question their culture and their own identity.  It’s only when they’re exposed to others that they learn that their culture is different, and the real growth takes place.  I agree that there is always going to be a period of doubt whenever one is forming their own identity, and the step after that is where I have the problem with the book.  According to the book, after questioning their identity, one will find the answers they’re looking for and incorporate said quality into their identity, whether it be a religion, lifestyle, relationship, etc.  It is not always the case that when someone questions a certain aspect of their identity, that aspect grows stronger.  Sometimes it’s dropped, and it is often the case that this is to the benefit of the person.  For example, being heavy into the partying/drinking life could be a part of your identity, and it would most likely be to your benefit to drop that aspect of your identity.  Also, it can be dangerous for one to hold on to their beliefs strongly, even after questioning it.  Such is the case with racism today, where it is questioned constantly, and yet those who have incorporated it into their identity may want to keep that part of their identity no matter how much they question it.  This is obviously a detriment to intercultural communication

Taylor Holzfaster's Reflection for Chapter 5

Taylor Holzfaster

Intercultural Communications

1/25/15

Reflection Paper #2

            In chapter five , there is a lot of conversation about all the different types of communication that take place in our world how identity has a different impact on people. One part that specifically stood out to me was all the different ways that people interpret identity and how different development issues can form. For example, heterosexual identities has more privileged positions than homosexual identities. In my opinion, I think the difference between minority and majority identities is a very touchy subject. Some people think of identities as class, gender, or sexual orientation, which is true while others don't think anything is set in stone. Communication and identities are ongoing and due to people coming from different backgrounds and experiences it can make getting a point across harder.

            One thing that I feel is very common in our world today is people's assumptions about certain things. Such as, sexuality, religion, background, etc. I know a lot of people that often feel threatened by certain situations that make them feel uncomfortable and rather than dealing with the situation head on and trying to come up with a solution or a compromise, they shy away from reality and the truth. That type of situation can have major effects on different types of relationships and determining someones identity as well. 

            In my opinion, I feel like people in today’s world don’t realize how many different types of identities and types of communication there are. Focusing more on relationships and no so much on a person identity and what they believe in is something that our world needs to work on.

Questions:

1.     How does communication influence people’s decisions and perspectives?

2.     Why should people value communication more?