Final Blog …

            Wow I can’t believe the semester is over with. Classes are done.. one final celebration on Monday for two hours then the academic part is done and all that’s left is placement. Time really flies; I was just getting the hang of things too. This is the last cultural issues and diversity blog that I will ever write! This semester has been a tough but fun one. I got the chance to hear about new things, to share new cultural experiences, to participate in new things, to be pushed out of my comfort zone, to be in the middle of something different, and to learn. I think the times that I was most uncomfortable were where a lot of learning took place. This semester was very hands on, and I’m glad I got the chance to experience it. I know I will see more in the field but it was a good class to help start my career in the future.

            There were many different experiences that helped me to learn and grow. I also think back on them quite a bit without even knowing it. When I went for my placement interview I found myself thinking about the Freedom Writers movie, activities they did, their experiences, and what I had to offer. I really enjoyed that movie and I feel that I took a lot from it, activity wise and her attitude on the situation. It showed me that you can make a difference; it just depends on how you approach the situation. Another class experience that I think about is when we had he quest speakers talk to us about LGBTQ youth and people in the community. That presentation stuck with me and I think about it quite a bit. I have a friend that posts LGBTQ rights photo’s a lot and it reminds me of that. I think that all the “it gets better” videos are pretty creative and a great resource for youth and people that need them. They are also very inspirational videos.

            The assignments in this class also helped me a lot and made me realize what I was capable of and who I was. For one assignment we had to talk about our culture and it gave me a better idea of who I am and where I come from. I hope to expand on my experiences and culture experiences. I want to travel the world. Next year I am going to the Dominican which will be a big change for me since I have never been more than 3 hours away from my home. Another assignment was that out of my cultural comfort zone. That assignment put me through so much hassle. Everything that I could do was either to far out of my comfort zone or not far enough out. I will normally do anything new but I need someone to do it with me, I won’t do it on my own. I tried to find someone to go with but it was harder than I thought. I ended going t a church on my road that I have never been to but always was curious about. I thought it was very good for my learning and am going back to it with my brother on Sundays. He took to it very well and decided he wanted to go every Sunday. Being in a small community made it easier to feel welcome and accepted in the church. I also learned a lot about the different cultures through presentations in class and through my own group presentation. Last week we also had a guest speaker come in and talk to us about homeless youth and helping them. I have witnessed many of my cousins go through this and I was very interested to hear her perspective and to hear her talk about the topic.

We went on a couple field trips this semester. We went to the Quinte Mohawk School and got a chance to experience their harvest celebration, and we went to Sir James Whitney which is a school for individuals who are deaf and got to experience and learn about the deaf community .Visiting the Quinte Mohawk School gave me a chance to experience culture that I have already been experienced to but in a new way. I have been around my dad’s friends who are of aboriginal decent a lot as a child. My dad’s side of the family would live off the land and built good relationships on the reserve. I spent some of my child hood around their culture. I thought it was neat to see it in a CYW perspective and in a school setting. The discussion we had in class after the trip was amazing. I liked hearing everyone’s perspectives on the school and the system opposed to the Public schools that some of us when to. I am interested in this culture and have started to do different things and venture out to learn more about it. Today we went to Sir James Whitney; it was an amazing school and made me want to learn ASL even more. I am really thinking about taking classes and might do that next year when I go back to school. We took a tour and I was fascinated watching Aaron sign, I tried to relate what the interpreter was saying to what he was signing. I thought the school was beautiful and would love to go back there at some point. In High school and even now I’m fascinated with ASL. I would watch this guy on YouTube who would sign songs. I watched all of his songs multiple times and I had most of them memorized. Every time the song would come on the radio I would sing the song and people would look at me like I was crazy. I didn’t care but sometimes I would stop because I don’t like people staring. If I relied on sign I think I would be self conscious that people are watching me, and the thoughts that they are thinking before they even know me. Today at the school someone asked who all knew sign and I felt left out cause I didn’t really know it that well, but I am interested in learning it and intend to as some point. I had an amazing time today at the school, and learnt a lot about the deaf community and about Aaron and his perspectives.

This is a newer one of the videos of him signing a song, I chose this song because it has a good meaning.

This semester has been a pretty interesting one. I plan to continue my learning of the many cultures throughout the years with the ways that I have listed already. For the most art I’m going to try and experience anything that is available and interesting to me. I remember in one class we did a case study on a family where they were using the medicine stick on the child. I found that very interesting and it helped me to realize that we are all different and what is acceptable in one culture may be illegal or dangerous in another. You have to be open to different cultures and willing to learn about their culture and to teach them about yours if it is necessary or they are interested in it. It has been a pretty good three year in the course.. I’m going to miss everyone and the teachers. I enjoyed this class and found it really relevant to our learning it shows us just a small piece of the many cultures that are in the world, but teaches us how to embrace them properly, with knowledge and learning.

This quote can be used to sum up the experiences throughout this class. In situations that you aren’t familiar with, it’s your choice to turn on the light and embrace it or be left in the dark.

Thank-you, and Good-bye!

Sincerely, Lindsey H J



Blog #5 – Class Presentations (week 10)

            Last week we started our class presentations on different cultures. A few groups presented but the one that stuck out in my mind was the group the presented on the Amish culture. They talked about the food and dress and how the people in the community separate themselves from our culture. It was also interesting to see how they depend on the land and continue on living how people used to back before technology became the big thing. They brought up how teens have the choice to go out and experience our culture then they can decide to go back and be Amish or to live out in the community and be forever shunned by the Amish community and their family.

            Tonight I was trying to watch something on TV and I came across the show Breaking Amish. I thought I would see what it was about. It is actually an interesting show if you watch it for the culture and the issues that the youth face. In the episode I watched they decided to go back to their Amish community dressed in “English” clothes as they put it. Meaning dressed in clothes from our culture. Their family would lock them out of the house and not talk to them, slam the door in their face, or shun them. One girls family moved and she didn’t even get to see them when she went back home. It shocked me because I didn’t think the family would react the way that they did towards their children. They acted the way they did because if they accepted them the whole family would be shunned by the community and their religion.

            In the Amish culture what the youth in breaking Amish would be doing is celebrating somthing like Rumspringa. Allthough the members in breaking Amish have already had rumspringa before when they were younger. Rumspringa is where the youth at age 16 have the choice to stay Amish and join the church or venture out into the word and experiment with English clothes, cell phones, cars, sex and rugs. If the youth chose to stay out in the community then they are shunned by their family as I watched in the TV show Breaking Amish. I was confused as to why the families didn’t allow their children to come back into the home after they ventured out. I did some research and all the site I visited stated that they were accepted back into the home. Although they are only accepted back in if they chose to be Amish and wear Amish clothing and go by their culture. The youth in the TV show went back home dressed in clothes that we would wear, and were shunned.  I got most of my information from this website: http://www2.etown.edu/amishstudies/Rumspringa.asp

           In this video two members of Breaking Amish are talking about life in New york and how it was for them first moving. The one also touches a bit on Rumspringa:

            I think that it would be interesting to be an Amish youth. I think I would fit in more in their community than I do in my own. I love nature and the land, and I have always been fascinated in how things took place before technology. I would be able to survive without technology; I only use it now to stay in contact with my family back home because it is available to me. I would learn to adapt without it just like we were able to adapt so quickly to it. I think others may not be able to give up technology though. If I could go back and live when my grandmother was a child I would. I think it would be a neat experience. I enjoyed learning about the Amish culture, and was interested in what I learnt. I also cant believe that I have one more blog to write then I’m done.. Wow how time flies. It seems like only yesterday I was sitting down trying to figure out how to work this site.

Blog #4 - Guest Speakers (week 9)

            Last week we had three guest speakers from the LGBTQ community come in and talk to our class. I thought this was amazing because I had just handed in a research paper the day before and I chose to do mine on LGBTQ individuals. During their presentation I felt like I could understand what they were saying and I also got to know much more about their community. I also got a chance to experience a few different activities that made me think. They would ask us a question and if we agreed we would stand at the front of the class and if we disagreed we would stand at the back of the class. It was interesting to see people’s responses and their reasons why. The one question that got me thinking was “I would be okay with someone assuming I was gay or lesbian”.  I stood somewhere near the front for this question but as I stood there I wanted to move closer to the back. My personality is that I don’t care what others think of me that is why I first went to the front but then I also don’t like when people think that I’m someone I’m not. Then I got thinking if I don’t care how people look at me why it would be such a big deal if my sexual orientation is different, especially since it’s something we have no control over.  The more I thought about it the more I realized that it truly is how you were raised and what you were around as a child. I was never around anyone that is a part of the LGBTQ community, but I was raise to accept anyone no matter what they were like or who they liked. My dad would always say things like he’s gay or he’s queer and it led me to think that it was bad to be that. Since I’m ”Straight” I never thought any different of it but it does still have its impacts. It’s not a bad thing, it’s the way we are born and why should they be the minority and get ridiculed. Then again it’s the world we live in and it needs to change, and I believe it will.

            For my research paper I stumbled across this website and used it for a resource: http://www.itgetsbetter.org/ I found it interesting that the guest speakers touched on this website and the progress its making. When I first found this website I sat there for at least 4 hours straight watching videos of people telling their story. They are very touching and inspiring stories and they show just how strong these individuals are because of all the trouble they went through in today’s society. Even today they are being judged against; they have a few more rights than they used to though. I loved all the videos that I seen on the site. There was even a video of a man telling his father he was gay and he kept asking his dad “do you still love me?” it was interesting to watch his reactions when his dad reassured him that he is still his son and the person he always was. These following videos are just two of the many that I though showed a real message, and are truly inspiring:

 

            This is related to the field that I will be working in because we will be working with these youth even if we know it or not. We have to learn to use neutral language so that we don’t offend anyone and cause hem to shut down and not talk to us. I think we will treat them differently but that is only because you don’t treat every two children the same way; they each have their individual needs. No matter what their sexual orientation they all have their story. Then when you think about it their case will be treated just like any other, based on their needs. Last week I learnt quite a bit and I had a fun time doing it.    

Blog #3 – Movie Time! (Week 7)

            Last week we watched Freedom Writers, which turned out to be a really interesting, and amazing movie. It is hard to believe that this class in half way through the semester, oh how time flies. I will take a lot away from this class, and the movie that was shown. I got a chance to see how people react in situations that they are not used to and I don’t know how I would have acted if I was put into the same position Erin was. I think now that I have seen the movie it have me a greater understanding of how things can change I think now I would stick with it and keep pushing forward with the class. The cultural issues and diversity class makes me think of how I am going to be placed in situations that I won’t be familiar with and may have no clue at all what is going on. I think I’m starting to see that it’s more how you carry yourself in the situation rather than how much you know at the time. You may know a bit but for the most part you may be completely out of your comfort zone because it is something new to you. I finally understand the point f this class now J I love moments like that, they make everything seem possible.   

   

Movie Summary:

            The movie is about a new teacher, Erin, who gets the chance to work as a freshman/ sophomore teacher at Woodrow Wilson High school. The school was recently volunteered an integration program. The other teachers believe the integration program has ruined the school. They feel that their school has gone from the best honors to having students that can’t read and won’t graduate. Erin chose the school just because of the integration program, but she had no clue what she was in for. She decided she wanted to help change the student that she was working with and gave it her all. She put so much effort into the students and in the end it paid off. The students in the class don’t get along with each other well, let alone with Erin. They were all being racist towards each other and one day Erin brought up the holocaust and none of them heard of it before except for the only Caucasian boy. She then used the holocaust to bring the students together. She also did activities with the kids to get them to open up. She got them to write in journals every day, and she said that the journals wouldn’t be marked. If the students wanted her to read them she would, if not that was fine to. It turned out they all wanted her to read them and she got to know them each really well. They developed a strong bond and even a good bond with each other in the class. Erin starts to spend more time with her students and working second and third jobs to pay for the resources to tech her class. The school would not support her class because they don’t feel they are worth it. As times go on Erin and her husband begin to spend less time together and her husband leaves her.

My Thoughts and Reflection:

            I really enjoyed the movie, I learnt a lot from it and a lot of new approaches. The most powerful part of the film for me was when Erin got the kids to play “the line game”. The line game is where she had a strip of tape along the floor and got the kids to stand on either side. Then she would ask questions and if it applied to them they would stand on the line. She started off with simple and fun questions like who has what music alums. Then she started to get into more detail, like who has ever been shot at. Each time they would all step in towards the center and look around at each other. They got a better understanding of each other and they started to realize they have some similarities. This made me think a lot, I tried to see the many purposes of this game and why she would want to play it with the kids. It could give them the idea that everyone goes through similar things in their life no matter what race or ethnicity they are. It could also show them they no matter how much they don’t get a long they still have similarities and things in common with each other. I will use my learning from this game in the future. I may use this game to help me when I’m working with youth in the field that don’t get along with each other. It could be used as a great resource. Another part of the film that I found powerful was when Erin brought up the holocaust. She decided to use that as a hook since they seemed interested and could all relate to it in one way or another. Erin took them to the Holocaust museum and they raised money to meet the lady who hid Anne Frank and her family. Another part was the toast for change when they all took turns and made a toast with cider to what they are going to change. At first I didn’t know how the holocaust would tie in to the issues that the students were having. Then as the movie went on and I had time to think it fit in nicely. The holocaust was used to show hatred towards a specific race and how out of hand and harming it could be. She tried to get each student to relate to the holocaust in some way to make a difference. Another part in the film that made me think was when the one girl had to go on trial because she witnessed the shooting. I was interested in who she would say shot the gun and when she “ratted out” her own kind I could see how far she had come in the class. It was also amazing to see the friendship that she built with the girl that she started out hating in the beginning of the movie.  



           

Extra Research:



            I was interested in the fact that this movie was based on a true story so I did some research to find out what parts in the movie were real. I found a website online that had a lot of facts and compared the movie to what actually happen. Here is the site if you would like to check it out: http://www.chasingthefrog.com/reelfaces/freedomwriters.php  I chose to write about only a few of the many points chosen on the website. I chose the points that stuck out the most to me.  I found out that Erin did have to work two extra jobs to buy supplies for her students. I also found out that at first she was not paid for teaching at Woodrow High because she was a student teacher and still had to pay tuition to the University she attended. I also found out that the story from their journals in the movie was taken right from the original freedom writer’s journal. Also in the movie Erin gets chalk dust on her but the first day. This was also true in real life, Erin recalls the students from the back of the room informing her of the chalk on her but and asking her if she wants some fries with that shake. I thought it was interesting that all of Erin’s students graduated from High school and some used the money from the freedom writers diary and went on to College. This movie relates to the field of child and youth work because of the approach that Erin took with her kids, and the fact that it was therapeutic. Erin believed in her students and helped them to better their future and their lives.  Erin used May different activities to get the kids to open up and to help them be comfortable. She used the journal writing, the toast for change, and the line game to get them to open up and to start thinking about changing themselves. She also helped them to fulfill their dreams of having the guest speaker come to the school; she taught them to fight for what they wanted. I enjoyed this movie and think it would be cool to have that freedom writers diary: teachers guide as a resource to use with kids in the future. 

        

Blog #2 – Field Trip to Quinte Mohawk School (Week 6)

            Last week we didn’t have class, instead we went on a field trip to Quinte Mohawk School. We had the pleasure of joining in on their harvest festival ceremonies at the school. It was a new experience that at first I was unsure of. As time went on and the day passed I enjoyed myself a lot in the new surroundings and with the children. I missed about 30 minutes due to being late, but when I got there I got the opportunity to join in on some classes that were dancing in the gym. We did three different dances where we danced in a circle around the people playing the music. The first dance everybody joined in, the second one was just the girls dancing around, and the third was both again. The third dance was the dance that I found the most interesting. The girls lined up on one side facing the bys and the boys lined up on the other side facing the girls. The music started slow and the boys would move forward as the girls moved backwards. This went on for a while then the music would pick up and the boys would join hands with a partner and make an arch or tunnel. The girls would then all try and run through the tunnel. The music would go back to being slow and you would go back to either walking backwards if you were a girl or forward if you were a boy in your groups. After the dances we went and helped the kids with their crafts in the class rooms, and went out for recess and played with the kids.

We brought activities to play with the children outside. During recess I found it was easier to engage the younger children in activities with us rather than the older ones. The older kids would play with each other while the younger ones would come up and play with us. I also noticed that you had to reach out and ask them if and what they wanted to play. They wouldn’t directly approach you. At first I found this a bit challenging because I was a bit nervous. Then I realized that they were probably shy as well so I started to interact with them more. We also got an opportunity to play lacrosse with the kids. Then we went in and the CYW classes and teachers gathered in the gym and we had a turkey dinner. It was a lot of fun and a neat experience. I found it interesting when they spoke their language, to say thanks for the meal we were about to eat. It showed how thankful they are for the things that they have.

  I found the dancing and the music they were playing the most interesting and decided to research it and see what I could find. It was hard to find about a specific type of dance so I just looked up their powwows and I found out a lot of interesting things. I looked at this site and I found it really interesting.  I started reading about the Blackfoot dance. Dancing was a big part of their spirituality. They were very spiritual and believed that young men would go into the woods and have a dream or vision. This would give them a spirit to protect them throughout their life. During their dances tobacco was burned because they believed it was a way to reach the spirits. Their most important ritual is the sun dance, it is still preformed today. It takes place over three to four days and they celebrate and feast during this time. Part of the ceremony was a test of the warriors’ strength and ability to take pain. I thought this part was really strange. The worriers upper arm muscle would get cut and a rope would be tied around it. The other end of the rope was then tied to the center post of the Sundance lodge until the muscle broke, or the warrior fainted of pain or exhaustion. That test of strength seems very unique and like it was a very old tradition. There were other types of dances that they still do today, but I found the history the most interesting. Here is the link in case you wanted to check it out: http://projects.cbe.ab.ca/ict/2learn/mmspeight/blackfoot/html/powwow.htm    

This past week reminded me of the movie Pocahontas. It was one of my top movies as a child and I felt that it fits in with this week. In the picture above she is talking to Mother Nature, I never understood it then but I see now how it resembles how in touch with nature their culture is. I chose to add this video because it shows how First Nations can be so in touch with nature, and how they see everything.  They think of animals and nature as being one where some people don't have that opinion. Other people just see it as land and animals. This video is also very inspirational and can show you a lot.

Blog #1 – Guest Speaker (Week 4)

      Last class we had a guest speaker come in and talk to us about our career, and his experiences in the field. Andy was an amazing speaker and he had lots of interesting stories to tell us about his time as a CYW. The way he sees his job was a very inspiring and unique way. Andy owns a group home with 80-100 beds for Aboriginal youth that are in need of care and support. He talked about how he goes to their communities and brings these youth back with him. He described himself as a big click junkie, which instead of ignoring “f**k you!” from the youth he would respond positively to it. He described it as they are used to needing something and getting pain as a response then the “click” where they would relate need to pain. He tries to see their need and respond with nurture to get the “click”. That way he can change it so that the youth after a while will relate need to nurture. He also told us that the moment is everything, act in that moment. He also said that Curiosity is the best skill that you could have as a CYW because we aren’t curious about things that we don’t care about. Before Andy left he said “Fiercely guard your passion for what you want to do. Don’t let anyone rob you of your passion; it helps you make the stupid choices”. He was referring to the choices that you act on before you think about them, and eventually have a positive outcome. He also said “Fiercely guard your compassion, your compassion allows “the click” and sees the “f**k you” as a bid”. It was a very good experience and I took a lot away from it. Listening to Andy speak will help me out in my future career as a Child and Youth Worker. I felt that he gave really good advice, and intrigued me in his area of work.

      While I was listening to him talk I started to think about the aboriginal communities. I started wondering what their traditions, customs, and beliefs are so I decided to look it up. I found this link was the most interesting, and had a lot of relevant information on it. http://firstpeoplesofcanada.com/fp_groups/fp_groups_overview.html  This link talks about the historical overview, the trade, their government, their religion, and much more. I found their government the most interesting. The first nations had a complex social system which had different levels of government that was based on family, clan, or the tribe/nation. The chiefs of leaders where always people with special leadership qualities that brought respect from their people. In most tribes there is a council of elders who advise the chief. They would discuss a matter of importance and then make a decision that the majority agreed on. From what I have read the aboriginal people are very caring and considerate of our earth and each other. As Andy talked about, they don’t know how to help the youth that act out. The best they can think to do is leave them behind to fend for their self. I find their way of living and beliefs very interesting. While I was looking online I came across a healing song, at first I was like "this can't be to interesting it’s just a girl standing there with a drum". As she started and the song played on I was mesmerized and couldn’t even look away. I found it very fascinating and I have posted the video down below.

                 

                 Have a good week, until nex time :)             

Introduction Blog

     My name is Lindsey and I am in my third year of the Chid and Youth Worker program at Loyalist College. In this blog I will be talking about and reflecting on my thoughts and learning experiences in the Cultural Issues and Diversity course. I will also be using this blog to identify any challenging areas and future learning possibilities. I will also be using my blog to extend my learning throughout the course.

 I found this picture and felt that it related well to what culture is.

     During our first Cultural Issues and Diversity class last week we spent some time talking about the assignments that we needed to complete. One that stuck in my mind is our first assignment “elements of my culture”. In this assignment we have to write about our personal experience of the cultural beliefs that we were exposed to while growing up. While I was thinking about this assignment it reminded me how we will be having cultural show and tell in our next class. We will each bring in an artifact from our culture to share with the class. I was sitting there thinking about the assignment and the show and tell; I started to think about my culture, and what I would bring in. As I was thinking a few questions started to pop into my mind, like “What is my culture?” “What would be considered a cultural artifact?” “What is my culture made up of?” “Who could I ask about my culture?”. Then the more I thought about it there was one main question that stood out in my mind, “what exactly is culture?” 

   While I was looking up culture I came acrost this fun video and thought that the quotes in it related alot to culture.

      I also found a website online and did some reading about what culture is. I feel more comfortable about it now and have a better understanding of what my own culture is. I believe that culture is our beliefs, values, and traditions that we were exposed to while growing up. That could include where we lived, who we were around, and what traditions were practiced frequently. The website that I was looking at is: http://anthro.palomar.edu/culture/culture_1.htm This site helped me to better understand culture and its components.