*This note is not to disprespect anyone or anything, just simply to address differences in culture*
So after being in VT for almost a three weeks I have noticed quiet a few differences. Some I am appalled at, like the driving, and some I understand but do not agree with, like being called a person of color. We have a center for all people of color here at UVM, however I feel the center isolates certain people and cultures not advertently opening itself up to others. I questioned why the center cannot be called the Multicultural Center or Department? It's been thought of, but the response I receive is "this center and it's name allows those specific people of color to know that we are here for them". Coming from Texas A&M, a predominantly white institution and highly conservative, we didn't have the term "People of Color". We have a dept of multicutural affairs. I suppose I've been molded to that theory of multicultural instead of a person of color. It is difficult sometimes to address myself as a "person of color" because I am not a color I am hispanic. I can connect with any person whether it be culture, race, ethnicity, etc. I find that one thing that we have in common, like the love for music, I do not look if they are a person of color. There are several "people of color" who look anglo and might believe, because of their upbringing, that they are American and not Latina, just an example.
Anyways, this is just one difference I've been wanting to address. I just did not know how or when. Although there is are many other differences I do agree with, I believe VT will show me how to respect and be candid about certain issues. I have already had my first lesson in that. We had our first film for our Justice Film Series called "Reel Bad Arabs". When you have a chance, youtube-it and you will find a clip of it so you can see what I will talk about.
This film shows how "Hollywood" vilifies a group of people - arabs. My whole train of thought in watching this film/documentary was, "Hey, too bad, it happens to every culture, so what?" But in meeting with my supervisor for prep time, he helped me decipher the entire meaning behind the film and what the director's intention is. The director is arab and he is explaining the truth about his culture, like any other culture. I began to think about how very often history is written by those who win. Now, if you have read the books by Khaled Husseini (?) (Kite Runner and A thousand Splendid Suns) he addresses some truths of arab culture and helps you sympathize with them. This is what the director is heading towards. Why aren't we (Arabs) sympathized in the media? I believe because no one has expressed the truth yet. Certain movies do a great job in depicting Arabs as good people, and the movies were directed by Arabs directors, much like the George Lopez Show, or Family Matters, and then you have Full House, or the Cosby Show. As our own culture and own people, we are in charge of educating others about the realities in our cultures, and that is what "Reel Bad Arabs" shows for their own culture. Various students and staff also brought up great points in the film, and as a future student affairs professional, they learned from our film as I learned from them, now isn't that just the best thing in the world?! jk. But really, I enjoyed every minute of our discussion led by my supervisor.
Anyways, these are just some thoughts I figured I'd share with you all, hope you enjoy, and please youtube the film, you won't regret it. ALSO you can facebook my department haha. Center for Cultural Pluralism, or visit our website at www.uvm.edu/~ccpuvm
No comments:
Post a Comment