Imagine waking up one morning and not having the ability to get yourself dressed. Imagine waking up and not being able to use the bathroom. Imagine having control over everything in your life one day and then waking up and losing all that control that was once there. The millions of people who experienced the Holocaust randomly lost this control that they once had in one point of time.
Nowadays, it is very difficult to attempt to picture yourself not having control of your own life. We wake up and go about our daily routine. If you want to shower, you shower. If you want to jog, you jog. If you want to pray, you pray. Now imagine waking up one morning and not having the ability to do any of those things. It is very difficult to do. This is very difficult to even imagine because we are so used to this control that we have over our own lives. To randomly lose this control, would definitely be tragic. This loss is basically losing the chance to live our own lives.
With this in mind, it is very difficult to understand how people nowadays may not believe in the Holocaust. I think that these people do not want to believe in this major tragedy because they are intimidated to even picture themselves in that situation that millions of people were in. The sad part is, this loss of control wasn’t their choice. They were forced. So those who are choosing not to believe, is disregarding the lives of millions and millions of people. This to me is very depressing. I don’t feel that we have to actually try to experience what these people went through, because we will never be able to actually understand exactly what they experienced; but I do feel that we have to believe in what happened to these people. For these people did not get to live their lives. Their lives were controlled by a complete stranger that wanted to remove any type of identity that that specific person had.
Trying to understand this, hopefully we can be the future that believes in what happened to attempt to have some part of their lives become reality in this day and time. Hopefully, we can make that difference to have their legacy live on without them being here. Hopefully, we can believe.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Reflection Paper Number 10
Growing up parents instill different ways of doing things in his or her child. These concepts that you grew up with becomes something innate that you cannot see yourself living without doing. As you begin going to school, you try to get what you need to get done with these concepts that you grew up with. One day, you are doing your own thing and all of a sudden someone begins to tease you for doing something a certain way. The teasing begins with one person and then continues on to a group of students. By the end of the month you turn into an outcast for doing something that you grew up with. You then think that there is something wrong with you for doing something in a certain way. What happens next is, because this feeling gets created, you then search for those that do things similar to the way you do things. When these people are found, you then find this sense of security with this group that you have become apart of.
This is basically the concept of being Prejudice, and the outcome of being affected by someone that is Prejudice. Prejudice is translated as a type of attitude or unfavorable opinion that is formed without having enough knowledge on what is going on.
The problem with the concept of Prejudice is that there are times where it can happen without you even having the knowledge of yourself doing it. What happens is, when a person is going about their day, they are not being aware of what they are doing or saying. They see something that is different from what they are used to and all they have to do is look at the person in a certain way. This concept is basically termed as being Unintentionally Prejudice. You don’t say much to make the person feel uncomfortable, however, you view them in a certain way that will cause them to feel a certain way without anything being said.
This idea of Prejudice basically has to be in everyone’s head constantly. Who are we to think that what we grew up with is the only way to go? There are so many different cultures and groups where people are just trying to get by and do what they have to do. Who are we to even attempt to make these people feel uncomfortable?
One must understand that the idea of Prejudice is really apart of our world today in an Intentional and an Unintentional way. The way a person can get by is by doing what the student did above. Find that sense of security with a group of people so that the confidence is there. Once the person has the sense of confidence on what they are doing is okay, then the perceptions of those around them will never matter.
This is basically the concept of being Prejudice, and the outcome of being affected by someone that is Prejudice. Prejudice is translated as a type of attitude or unfavorable opinion that is formed without having enough knowledge on what is going on.
The problem with the concept of Prejudice is that there are times where it can happen without you even having the knowledge of yourself doing it. What happens is, when a person is going about their day, they are not being aware of what they are doing or saying. They see something that is different from what they are used to and all they have to do is look at the person in a certain way. This concept is basically termed as being Unintentionally Prejudice. You don’t say much to make the person feel uncomfortable, however, you view them in a certain way that will cause them to feel a certain way without anything being said.
This idea of Prejudice basically has to be in everyone’s head constantly. Who are we to think that what we grew up with is the only way to go? There are so many different cultures and groups where people are just trying to get by and do what they have to do. Who are we to even attempt to make these people feel uncomfortable?
One must understand that the idea of Prejudice is really apart of our world today in an Intentional and an Unintentional way. The way a person can get by is by doing what the student did above. Find that sense of security with a group of people so that the confidence is there. Once the person has the sense of confidence on what they are doing is okay, then the perceptions of those around them will never matter.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Reflection Paper Number 9
The personality of a person is a very difficult concept to grasp. Freud though, worked very hard to understand and come up with a Theory of The Personality. The theory states that every human was born with an ID. The ID is basically translated as selfishness. The child wants something and they want it now. The next stage is the EGO. In this stage, reality begins to set in for the child. They realize that they cannot get what they want right away. The gratification must wait. They are able to get what the ID wants, but it must be in a realistic way. The final stage is the SUPEREGO. In this stage, morality comes in. This is where the person wants what he or she wants but they begin to think if it is moral or not to get what they want in that moment in time.
I definitely agree with this process that Freud came up with. It is something very important for people to understand so that they can understand why certain people are the way they are. To apply this to my future though, I would like to take his theory a step further.
When a person does something in life, they can either do it just to do it, or they can create what they are doing to have a certain type of meaning to them specifically. This meaning that is being created through the person is not just something that goes away just like that. This meaning actually gives that feeling to the person to want to do the right thing. This feeling can cause each and every person to change things inside of themselves, to then apply that change in their future actions, which will hopefully change things in this world today.
When I am teaching, I want to understand exactly where these students are in regards to their personality. To do this, I will definitely be using Freud's theory. However, it cannot stop there. I want to be able to instill that meaning into these students. This will then give them the ability to want to do more and be more. It will give them a certain self esteem that they would not be able to get anywhere else. It will give me that certain meaning that I need as well. G-d willing this meaning will be created within myself, and my students as well.
I definitely agree with this process that Freud came up with. It is something very important for people to understand so that they can understand why certain people are the way they are. To apply this to my future though, I would like to take his theory a step further.
When a person does something in life, they can either do it just to do it, or they can create what they are doing to have a certain type of meaning to them specifically. This meaning that is being created through the person is not just something that goes away just like that. This meaning actually gives that feeling to the person to want to do the right thing. This feeling can cause each and every person to change things inside of themselves, to then apply that change in their future actions, which will hopefully change things in this world today.
When I am teaching, I want to understand exactly where these students are in regards to their personality. To do this, I will definitely be using Freud's theory. However, it cannot stop there. I want to be able to instill that meaning into these students. This will then give them the ability to want to do more and be more. It will give them a certain self esteem that they would not be able to get anywhere else. It will give me that certain meaning that I need as well. G-d willing this meaning will be created within myself, and my students as well.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Reflection Paper Number 8
In the article, Beliefs Values and Attitudes, there was a particular sentence that stood out to me. The sentence states, when there are two or more different cultures that come in contact, a relationship is then created and established by the two. This particular relationship is only created through the work and effort that these two cultures bring into the equation.
One can understand this through an analogy. When one creates a plant, there is a certain process that comes with this creation. The process is as follows; the seed in its peculiar shape is taken to then be planted into the ground. The ground consists of dirt that in its own entity is different than this seed. Once the seed is planted, one then takes water in its specific form to nourish the seed to grow to become this beautiful plant. The plant is the creation that comes from the seed, dirt, and water. This creation is special in its own right; because this creation was created by three different entities that are in three completely different forms. Through the union of these three entities comes one creation of the plant.
The seed is one of the cultures and the dirt is the other. The water is the work and effort that each culture gives to create this relationship which is viewed as the plant.
If one were to really try to understand this concept, they would notice that it is really not as simple as it looks. Every human is accustomed to their own beliefs, values, and traditions. These ideas were put into this being at a very young age and created them to be who they are today. When another entity comes into the picture, with different beliefs and values, the humans must figure out a way to give and take to create something very special between the two.
This can really only be done through changing oneself. Because if one were to go about their life not changing and understanding the different cultures around them, they would never learn and grow to achieve different goals in life. Only through the concept of change can one actually accomplish something in this world.
One can then ask where change comes into the analogy. The concept of change comes in only through the process from when the seed is transforming out of its peculiar form to then becoming this amazing plant. Once the change and the combination of the entities is done, the plant can then accomplish what it’s supposed to be accomplishing in this world.
One can understand this through an analogy. When one creates a plant, there is a certain process that comes with this creation. The process is as follows; the seed in its peculiar shape is taken to then be planted into the ground. The ground consists of dirt that in its own entity is different than this seed. Once the seed is planted, one then takes water in its specific form to nourish the seed to grow to become this beautiful plant. The plant is the creation that comes from the seed, dirt, and water. This creation is special in its own right; because this creation was created by three different entities that are in three completely different forms. Through the union of these three entities comes one creation of the plant.
The seed is one of the cultures and the dirt is the other. The water is the work and effort that each culture gives to create this relationship which is viewed as the plant.
If one were to really try to understand this concept, they would notice that it is really not as simple as it looks. Every human is accustomed to their own beliefs, values, and traditions. These ideas were put into this being at a very young age and created them to be who they are today. When another entity comes into the picture, with different beliefs and values, the humans must figure out a way to give and take to create something very special between the two.
This can really only be done through changing oneself. Because if one were to go about their life not changing and understanding the different cultures around them, they would never learn and grow to achieve different goals in life. Only through the concept of change can one actually accomplish something in this world.
One can then ask where change comes into the analogy. The concept of change comes in only through the process from when the seed is transforming out of its peculiar form to then becoming this amazing plant. Once the change and the combination of the entities is done, the plant can then accomplish what it’s supposed to be accomplishing in this world.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Arizona Goddam
This man who is speaking through the poem must have experecienced racism. He then I guess states that really the Arizonians can't understand the affect that it is having on them because they are actually not in it as he is or was.
I guess the poem is trying to say that you really cannot understand what a person or people are going through or have gone through without being in their shoes.
I guess the poem is trying to say that you really cannot understand what a person or people are going through or have gone through without being in their shoes.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Reflection Paper Number 7
Before a painter begins his masterpiece, he has a vision in his head of what he wants it to look like. Once the vision is there, the painter then faces a blank landscape where he begins to create this masterpiece that he envisions. As the painter paints, he controls exactly what he wants to use with the many different color schemes that are placed before him. It is his job to use every color in their own particular way to create this wonderful masterpiece. If the painter missteps or confuses two of the colors, it is his responsibility to work with each color so that each color has its own essence in the masterpiece. The only way that the painter can reach this particular piece, will only be through the inclusion of every aspect and color that will eventually create this piece.
The painter is synonymous with a teacher running a classroom. The masterpiece is every teachers view and goal of what they envision their classroom to be. The landscape is the room that the teacher has to work with in order to create that goal, and the different color schemes are the many different students that are integrated into that one room.
When a teacher is put into a classroom setting, that particular setting is their landscape that they can do anything they want with it. This landscape should include the importance of including every single individual that is in that particular environment.
The teacher must do this through many different aspects of the classroom. As the teacher begins he should attempt to understand each individual from the beginning, because each student is coming into this new environment that they are not accustomed to. It is the teacher’s duty to create a certain atmosphere for each student to feel that comfortability.
The way the teacher can attempt to do this, should be through the understanding exactly what stereotyping is. The knowledge of understanding that each child is their own entity without any strings attached is crucial to the teacher especially in the classroom, and this will eventually be the type of atmosphere that each student will have towards each other. The classroom though, should definitely never have this idea of stereotyping because there is no good that comes from it.
In order to have this idea of stereotyping out of the picture, the teacher must attempt to create a feeling of acceptance to each particular student in the classroom. This idea of acceptance only comes through the inclusion of each student in every aspect of the classroom. This feeling that the teacher will hopefully create will affect the environment of how the material is learned and the ability to have that type of control that is required to have in the classroom. This idea of setting up rules and regulations and not having this idea of stereotyping is crucial for each and every student so that the idea of acceptance is there. Once the student has this feeling of acceptance, then the student will not feel limited to accomplish their goal in life. This just stresses the importance of a good teacher. Just as the painter needs to have the understanding and knowledge to be able to create an unbelievable masterpiece that people can benefit from in the future, so too the teacher needs to be able to have this same type of concept to send out students into the world to accomplish what they are supposed to be accomplishing.
The painter is synonymous with a teacher running a classroom. The masterpiece is every teachers view and goal of what they envision their classroom to be. The landscape is the room that the teacher has to work with in order to create that goal, and the different color schemes are the many different students that are integrated into that one room.
When a teacher is put into a classroom setting, that particular setting is their landscape that they can do anything they want with it. This landscape should include the importance of including every single individual that is in that particular environment.
The teacher must do this through many different aspects of the classroom. As the teacher begins he should attempt to understand each individual from the beginning, because each student is coming into this new environment that they are not accustomed to. It is the teacher’s duty to create a certain atmosphere for each student to feel that comfortability.
The way the teacher can attempt to do this, should be through the understanding exactly what stereotyping is. The knowledge of understanding that each child is their own entity without any strings attached is crucial to the teacher especially in the classroom, and this will eventually be the type of atmosphere that each student will have towards each other. The classroom though, should definitely never have this idea of stereotyping because there is no good that comes from it.
In order to have this idea of stereotyping out of the picture, the teacher must attempt to create a feeling of acceptance to each particular student in the classroom. This idea of acceptance only comes through the inclusion of each student in every aspect of the classroom. This feeling that the teacher will hopefully create will affect the environment of how the material is learned and the ability to have that type of control that is required to have in the classroom. This idea of setting up rules and regulations and not having this idea of stereotyping is crucial for each and every student so that the idea of acceptance is there. Once the student has this feeling of acceptance, then the student will not feel limited to accomplish their goal in life. This just stresses the importance of a good teacher. Just as the painter needs to have the understanding and knowledge to be able to create an unbelievable masterpiece that people can benefit from in the future, so too the teacher needs to be able to have this same type of concept to send out students into the world to accomplish what they are supposed to be accomplishing.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Reflection Paper Number 6
There are many different ways that one can become educated. Each person and culture has their own specific way that they take and use for future generations. In every culture though, there is this idea of Rites of Passages. Rites of Passages are a sort of ritual event that marks a person’s status or progression over time. This idea becomes very important in different cultures and religions because they have many different ceremonies for each progression. For instance, there is the idea of puberty, marriage, etc.
In the article Sitting Quietly, you see how the boys in that particular culture were brought up to get that stature of becoming men. They did this by fighting off this Forest Thing. I guess the idea was they trained when they were younger by their father to then be thrown in the forest to see if what they learned would actually apply to their task. In the end though, the task was completed and they had their own Rite of Passage by having their names changed and becoming known as men.
In the book Facing Mt. Kenya, Jomo Keyatta spends his time trying to establish the history and tradition of the Gikuyu society. The book continued to explain how oral tradition was very important for the children in this society. This tradition gave the children a hand on experience to learn exactly what they would have to be doing in the future.
By the article of The Sambia, the culture in New Guinea was basically these farmers that move around a lot. Their main focus was to train young boys the importance of becoming men to then have sex with women to produce children. This would then start the cycle again. They would do this by teaching the boys the ritual secret to success in this area. This was done by focusing on the men’s private parts, by putting it in their mouths to grasp exactly what they were supposed to understand, and threatening the children to keep it a secret; this was all done to gain the knowledge of importance it was to have those relations with the women.
These four concepts are very different than formal education. When one is formally educated they are taught different types of skills and tasks in a formal atmosphere. It is more of a black and white picture. But in these cultures, the formality is basically not found because each one has their own way of teaching and supplying the knowledge of that particular culture to those particular children.
In a classroom though, I hope to have that sense of formal education, but my personal Rites of Passage as well.
In the article Sitting Quietly, you see how the boys in that particular culture were brought up to get that stature of becoming men. They did this by fighting off this Forest Thing. I guess the idea was they trained when they were younger by their father to then be thrown in the forest to see if what they learned would actually apply to their task. In the end though, the task was completed and they had their own Rite of Passage by having their names changed and becoming known as men.
In the book Facing Mt. Kenya, Jomo Keyatta spends his time trying to establish the history and tradition of the Gikuyu society. The book continued to explain how oral tradition was very important for the children in this society. This tradition gave the children a hand on experience to learn exactly what they would have to be doing in the future.
By the article of The Sambia, the culture in New Guinea was basically these farmers that move around a lot. Their main focus was to train young boys the importance of becoming men to then have sex with women to produce children. This would then start the cycle again. They would do this by teaching the boys the ritual secret to success in this area. This was done by focusing on the men’s private parts, by putting it in their mouths to grasp exactly what they were supposed to understand, and threatening the children to keep it a secret; this was all done to gain the knowledge of importance it was to have those relations with the women.
These four concepts are very different than formal education. When one is formally educated they are taught different types of skills and tasks in a formal atmosphere. It is more of a black and white picture. But in these cultures, the formality is basically not found because each one has their own way of teaching and supplying the knowledge of that particular culture to those particular children.
In a classroom though, I hope to have that sense of formal education, but my personal Rites of Passage as well.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Reflection Paper Number 5
When someone is alone they are isolated from the world around them. They are usually not involved with the surroundings that they are put in. They are basically stuck in their own world while everyone around them is going about their day to day schedule. When someone is alone they are excluded from what is surrounding them. This may be the outcome of a person that is alone; however, every human has the choice if they want to be alone or not. There are times though, where people are forced to be alone. In this case, these people who are alone get ridiculed and tortured for who they are. They get bullied and pushed around because of a category that someone else put them in.
In the case of the Little Rock Nine, these students were excluded and alone, but at the same time were ridiculed, tortured, and abused by the people they were surrounded by. These students were forced to be in the category of being alone. They had no choice in the matter.
Nowadays, it is very difficult to even attempt to put myself in the shoes of one of the students of the Little Rock Nine. I grew up without having restrictions; so to try to understand exactly what they went through, how they felt, and how I would act is very difficult to do. However, I will attempt to try through a parable.
Imagine getting up in the morning and having someone standing over you. Then picture yourself using the bathroom or taking a shower and having that same person watch your every move. You begin to feel like your space is being invaded. You begin to understand that you will never be able to just be. You begin to understand that you can never have that sense of comfortability that you desire for. You then look at the person lying next to you in bed. You see them get up, use the bathroom, take a shower etc. You see them doing this without having someone watching their every move. They can act and be and do things freely without the restriction of having someone watching over them.
After you get ready you then begin your day by attending school. You are walking to the building with that same person that invaded your privacy in the morning. On the way you are surrounded with people that begin to shout at you and to throw things at you like you are there, but not there at the same time. You hear the name calling and the shouting, but what can you do? This is how it is; Day in and day out. This is who you are and this is what you have to expect on a daily basis. You just continue the same process from beginning to end until something eventually changes and you can be free to be you.
As you can see, if I were ever put into the Little Rock Nine’s shoes, I would basically not do anything. Because really, there is nothing for me to do. I can try to rally and fight back, but in the end I do not have the power to gain that freedom that I desire for. If a situation came up where change was able to be taken place, and I would be able to gain that freedom that I wanted, then I would have nothing to lose. But until that day comes, I believe I would probably be going through that daily schedule until I get that sense of hope that change can occur. And when that day comes, I will definitely do what I have to do to gain the freedom that I desire for.
In the case of the Little Rock Nine, these students were excluded and alone, but at the same time were ridiculed, tortured, and abused by the people they were surrounded by. These students were forced to be in the category of being alone. They had no choice in the matter.
Nowadays, it is very difficult to even attempt to put myself in the shoes of one of the students of the Little Rock Nine. I grew up without having restrictions; so to try to understand exactly what they went through, how they felt, and how I would act is very difficult to do. However, I will attempt to try through a parable.
Imagine getting up in the morning and having someone standing over you. Then picture yourself using the bathroom or taking a shower and having that same person watch your every move. You begin to feel like your space is being invaded. You begin to understand that you will never be able to just be. You begin to understand that you can never have that sense of comfortability that you desire for. You then look at the person lying next to you in bed. You see them get up, use the bathroom, take a shower etc. You see them doing this without having someone watching their every move. They can act and be and do things freely without the restriction of having someone watching over them.
After you get ready you then begin your day by attending school. You are walking to the building with that same person that invaded your privacy in the morning. On the way you are surrounded with people that begin to shout at you and to throw things at you like you are there, but not there at the same time. You hear the name calling and the shouting, but what can you do? This is how it is; Day in and day out. This is who you are and this is what you have to expect on a daily basis. You just continue the same process from beginning to end until something eventually changes and you can be free to be you.
As you can see, if I were ever put into the Little Rock Nine’s shoes, I would basically not do anything. Because really, there is nothing for me to do. I can try to rally and fight back, but in the end I do not have the power to gain that freedom that I desire for. If a situation came up where change was able to be taken place, and I would be able to gain that freedom that I wanted, then I would have nothing to lose. But until that day comes, I believe I would probably be going through that daily schedule until I get that sense of hope that change can occur. And when that day comes, I will definitely do what I have to do to gain the freedom that I desire for.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Reflection Paper Number 4
If someone were to analyze a human being, they would notice that that one human being is very difficult to understand. There can be thousands of tests and scientific experiments on that particular person, but to completely understand that human is impossible to do. The reason why it is impossible to understand that particular person no matter what you do, is because one can only understand someone in a particular situation by being in their shoes and experiencing exactly what they are experiencing. The tests can give us an idea of what that person is feeling, but it will never give us the complete picture. This concept shows how there will never be two people in this world that are exactly the same. They may be similar, but they will never be exactly the same.
In this world today, there are many different people with many different cultures. The word ‘culture’ is a very difficult word to understand; because culture means something different to every single human being. As described above, there is not one human being that is exactly the same. There may be a group of people that have a similar background, but no matter how similar they are, there is not one of them that are the same. For instance, let us say there is a group of Jews standing around. Typically, if these Jews were religious, they would all look similar to a person standing outside of the group. However, each Jew in that group is completely different from one another. Even though they have the same ‘culture’ as people would say, there is still something different with each one of them.
The person standing outside the group may view the situation by stereotyping the group. However, this is not valid. For when one stereotypes, they are only going by a few characteristics of a person. They are not viewing and understanding the entire person, and it is almost impossible to understand the person because we are not and will never be in their shoes.
Now since the understanding of culture being specific to each person is there, you can now understand how difficult it is to actually attempt to be an intercultural competent person. To be an intercultural person you have to have the ability to actually live in a certain area where the culture is different than your own. This is not as easy at it seems anymore. Because not only are you in an area that is completely different than you are used to; but each person in that area is different even though they grew up in the same environment and have a similar religion etc.
These ideas are actually very new to me to a certain extent. I went away for a year in Israel and everyone looked the same and spoke the same and had similar ideas. This then made me categorize them in a certain way. However, after reading these articles I feel awful for how I viewed these people. Each person that I put in that specific group I was basically stereotyping because I thought they were the same because of their ‘culture’ and background. Now I know if I ever go away to a place that is different than what I’m used to- I can actually attempt to understand to the best of my ability who these people are and where they specifically come from, and G-d willing I can eventually become a intercultural person.
In this world today, there are many different people with many different cultures. The word ‘culture’ is a very difficult word to understand; because culture means something different to every single human being. As described above, there is not one human being that is exactly the same. There may be a group of people that have a similar background, but no matter how similar they are, there is not one of them that are the same. For instance, let us say there is a group of Jews standing around. Typically, if these Jews were religious, they would all look similar to a person standing outside of the group. However, each Jew in that group is completely different from one another. Even though they have the same ‘culture’ as people would say, there is still something different with each one of them.
The person standing outside the group may view the situation by stereotyping the group. However, this is not valid. For when one stereotypes, they are only going by a few characteristics of a person. They are not viewing and understanding the entire person, and it is almost impossible to understand the person because we are not and will never be in their shoes.
Now since the understanding of culture being specific to each person is there, you can now understand how difficult it is to actually attempt to be an intercultural competent person. To be an intercultural person you have to have the ability to actually live in a certain area where the culture is different than your own. This is not as easy at it seems anymore. Because not only are you in an area that is completely different than you are used to; but each person in that area is different even though they grew up in the same environment and have a similar religion etc.
These ideas are actually very new to me to a certain extent. I went away for a year in Israel and everyone looked the same and spoke the same and had similar ideas. This then made me categorize them in a certain way. However, after reading these articles I feel awful for how I viewed these people. Each person that I put in that specific group I was basically stereotyping because I thought they were the same because of their ‘culture’ and background. Now I know if I ever go away to a place that is different than what I’m used to- I can actually attempt to understand to the best of my ability who these people are and where they specifically come from, and G-d willing I can eventually become a intercultural person.
Reflection Paper Number 4
If someone were to analyze a human being, they would notice that that one human being is very difficult to understand. There can be thousands of tests and scientific experiments on that particular person, but to completely understand that human is impossible to do. The reason why it is impossible to understand that particular person no matter what you do, is because one can only understand someone in a particular situation by being in their shoes and experiencing exactly what they are experiencing. The tests can give us an idea of what that person is feeling, but it will never give us the complete picture. This concept shows how there will never be two people in this world that are exactly the same. They may be similar, but they will never be exactly the same.
In this world today, there are many different people with many different cultures. The word ‘culture’ is a very difficult word to understand; because culture means something different to every single human being. As described above, there is not one human being that is exactly the same. There may be a group of people that have a similar background, but no matter how similar they are, there is not one of them that are the same. For instance, let us say there is a group of Jews standing around. Typically, if these Jews were religious, they would all look similar to a person standing outside of the group. However, each Jew in that group is completely different from one another. Even though they have the same ‘culture’ as people would say, there is still something different with each one of them.
The person standing outside the group may view the situation by stereotyping the group. However, this is not valid. For when one stereotypes, they are only going by a few characteristics of a person. They are not viewing and understanding the entire person, and it is almost impossible to understand the person because we are not and will never be in their shoes.
Now since the understanding of culture being specific to each person is there, you can now understand how difficult it is to actually attempt to be an intercultural competent person. To be an intercultural person you have to have the ability to actually live in a certain area where the culture is different than your own. This is not as easy at it seems anymore. Because not only are you in an area that is completely different than you are used to; but each person in that area is different even though they grew up in the same environment and have a similar religion etc.
These ideas are actually very new to me to a certain extent. I went away for a year in Israel and everyone looked the same and spoke the same and had similar ideas. This then made me categorize them in a certain way. However, after reading these articles I feel awful for how I viewed these people. Each person that I put in that specific group I was basically stereotyping because I thought they were the same because of their ‘culture’ and background. Now I know if I ever go away to a place that is different than what I’m used to- I can actually attempt to understand to the best of my ability who these people are and where they specifically come from, and G-d willing I can eventually become a intercultural person.
In this world today, there are many different people with many different cultures. The word ‘culture’ is a very difficult word to understand; because culture means something different to every single human being. As described above, there is not one human being that is exactly the same. There may be a group of people that have a similar background, but no matter how similar they are, there is not one of them that are the same. For instance, let us say there is a group of Jews standing around. Typically, if these Jews were religious, they would all look similar to a person standing outside of the group. However, each Jew in that group is completely different from one another. Even though they have the same ‘culture’ as people would say, there is still something different with each one of them.
The person standing outside the group may view the situation by stereotyping the group. However, this is not valid. For when one stereotypes, they are only going by a few characteristics of a person. They are not viewing and understanding the entire person, and it is almost impossible to understand the person because we are not and will never be in their shoes.
Now since the understanding of culture being specific to each person is there, you can now understand how difficult it is to actually attempt to be an intercultural competent person. To be an intercultural person you have to have the ability to actually live in a certain area where the culture is different than your own. This is not as easy at it seems anymore. Because not only are you in an area that is completely different than you are used to; but each person in that area is different even though they grew up in the same environment and have a similar religion etc.
These ideas are actually very new to me to a certain extent. I went away for a year in Israel and everyone looked the same and spoke the same and had similar ideas. This then made me categorize them in a certain way. However, after reading these articles I feel awful for how I viewed these people. Each person that I put in that specific group I was basically stereotyping because I thought they were the same because of their ‘culture’ and background. Now I know if I ever go away to a place that is different than what I’m used to- I can actually attempt to understand to the best of my ability who these people are and where they specifically come from, and G-d willing I can eventually become a intercultural person.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Reflection Paper Number 3
When a child is born, there is a sense of innocence and purity that comes with that specific child. As time goes on, the child grows and starts viewing and understanding the world around them. In the beginning, the world is viewed in a certain way; but as time passes, that view changes as the child begins to grow. When the child first starts viewing the world in his or her own perspective, this view is translated as a paradigm. Once the child begins to understand more about life then that paradigm begins to shift as his or her perspective begins to change. This shift is exactly what life is all about. The child is not a robot that works mechanically, the child is a human being with feelings and emotions that change often which is why this shift is significant to the child’s growth.
This process that the child goes through is exactly what I go through daily. Growing up I had this innocence that has lasted until now, and will most probably continue to last in the future. However, even though I still have this innocence, it does not mean that it hasn’t changed or will not change overtime. When I was younger, this innocence was so pure. It was not tainted with the disgusting things that go on in this world today. I was in my little world trying to do exactly what I needed to do. However, time went by, and I had to go through different experiences daily. The experiences included dealing with people who were not trustworthy, or viewing those who acted dishonestly etc. After experiencing and viewing different people and understanding things in a more realistic way, my innocence began to change a bit more. For instance, viewing everyone as good did not apply as much as it did before.
As I continue to grow and learn I definitely understand why my specific paradigm had to shift. If I stayed in my little world, I probably would have never been able to continue to learn and grow with the surroundings that I was in. without this shift that occurred and will continue to occur; I probably would not have been able to view myself as an actual teacher who must deal with these paradigms and shifts daily.
A teacher runs a classroom with many students that have many different paradigms. As the teacher continues to teach, the student’s paradigms shift according to the lessons and understandings that the teacher is giving off. It’s the teacher’s duty to guide these students who have that sense of purity and innocence on the right track to accomplish exactly what they are supposed to be accomplishing. This is exactly where I have to come in. If I had viewed everything exactly the way I had when I was younger then I would never be able to take on this profession and guide these kids where they’re supposed to be going.
This is exactly what I learnt from the article. That paradigm’s are specific to each and every person because there is no one that is the same. However, these paradigms must shift over time, and I hope as mine shifts I will be able to help others during their shift as well.
This process that the child goes through is exactly what I go through daily. Growing up I had this innocence that has lasted until now, and will most probably continue to last in the future. However, even though I still have this innocence, it does not mean that it hasn’t changed or will not change overtime. When I was younger, this innocence was so pure. It was not tainted with the disgusting things that go on in this world today. I was in my little world trying to do exactly what I needed to do. However, time went by, and I had to go through different experiences daily. The experiences included dealing with people who were not trustworthy, or viewing those who acted dishonestly etc. After experiencing and viewing different people and understanding things in a more realistic way, my innocence began to change a bit more. For instance, viewing everyone as good did not apply as much as it did before.
As I continue to grow and learn I definitely understand why my specific paradigm had to shift. If I stayed in my little world, I probably would have never been able to continue to learn and grow with the surroundings that I was in. without this shift that occurred and will continue to occur; I probably would not have been able to view myself as an actual teacher who must deal with these paradigms and shifts daily.
A teacher runs a classroom with many students that have many different paradigms. As the teacher continues to teach, the student’s paradigms shift according to the lessons and understandings that the teacher is giving off. It’s the teacher’s duty to guide these students who have that sense of purity and innocence on the right track to accomplish exactly what they are supposed to be accomplishing. This is exactly where I have to come in. If I had viewed everything exactly the way I had when I was younger then I would never be able to take on this profession and guide these kids where they’re supposed to be going.
This is exactly what I learnt from the article. That paradigm’s are specific to each and every person because there is no one that is the same. However, these paradigms must shift over time, and I hope as mine shifts I will be able to help others during their shift as well.
Reflection Paper Number 2
Transformation is not just a word. Transformation is a process. When someone transforms, they are attempting to do something out of their comfort zone. They are trying to do something differently than what they are used to. They are trying to actualize the idea of growth.
If someone were to go about their life day in and day out without applying this idea of transformation; then they are basically going about life like a vegetable. What exactly does it mean to go about this world as a vegetable? Well, let us analyze what a vegetable is. A vegetable is something that just sits there waiting for someone to come pick it up to do something with it. Even when someone finally picks it up, the vegetable does not go on its own, but it continues to wait around until that human comes and continues to do something with it. You can actually label the vegetable by saying that it is lifeless.
When someone transforms, they are actually doing something. Unlike the vegetable that is waiting around, the person is actually trying for something in his or her life. This idea brings in the concept that we spoke about in class today. If a person wants to do something in life, and to do something I mean actually doing something not just doing it for one or two moments in their life, then they must master the skill in that particular profession that they are doing. You can only master that profession once a skill is created. That particular skill can really only be created through a sense of transformation; because truthfully, the transforming is causing that person to come out of their comfort zone to actually accomplish what they want to accomplish.
Some people think that they can just sit around and something will eventually come to them. In reality, this is not so. As Professor Joseph D. McNair states, he enjoys speaking with grownups. Not with people who just listen to what their parents say to them; but people who think and do for themselves. This is something that can really only be done through transformation. Why is this so? Because to master a skill a person has to go through many different people, cultures, ideas, characteristics etc. In order to do well in these many situations, a person must transform to each particular one in their particular setting. Once you attempt to do this, then the skill will eventually come and the person can complete exactly what they desire to do.
If someone were to go about their life day in and day out without applying this idea of transformation; then they are basically going about life like a vegetable. What exactly does it mean to go about this world as a vegetable? Well, let us analyze what a vegetable is. A vegetable is something that just sits there waiting for someone to come pick it up to do something with it. Even when someone finally picks it up, the vegetable does not go on its own, but it continues to wait around until that human comes and continues to do something with it. You can actually label the vegetable by saying that it is lifeless.
When someone transforms, they are actually doing something. Unlike the vegetable that is waiting around, the person is actually trying for something in his or her life. This idea brings in the concept that we spoke about in class today. If a person wants to do something in life, and to do something I mean actually doing something not just doing it for one or two moments in their life, then they must master the skill in that particular profession that they are doing. You can only master that profession once a skill is created. That particular skill can really only be created through a sense of transformation; because truthfully, the transforming is causing that person to come out of their comfort zone to actually accomplish what they want to accomplish.
Some people think that they can just sit around and something will eventually come to them. In reality, this is not so. As Professor Joseph D. McNair states, he enjoys speaking with grownups. Not with people who just listen to what their parents say to them; but people who think and do for themselves. This is something that can really only be done through transformation. Why is this so? Because to master a skill a person has to go through many different people, cultures, ideas, characteristics etc. In order to do well in these many situations, a person must transform to each particular one in their particular setting. Once you attempt to do this, then the skill will eventually come and the person can complete exactly what they desire to do.
Reflection Paper Number 1
There are many things in life that are very different yet connect at the same time. I believe the three articles: the prehistoric use of fire, the invention of the wheel, and the history of writing are three completely different topics yet have this amazing connection as well. Not only do these three diverse topics differentiate in their own special way, but each one connects to the concept of education as well.
The prehistoric use of fire discusses how the homo erectus who are also known as the upright men were the first creatures to stand upright and start the use of fire that is needed in many aspects of our lives today. There was one point in the article with the australopithecine creatures that I would personally like to focus on. At that point in the article, these creatures were described as chimpanzees because the way they looked. Their features were supposedly not ‘normal’ to what we are used to nowadays. This to me is very important for interns to take into account before entering a classroom. There are going to be many different students with many different characteristics; but there must not be that sense of judging that particular student. Each student must be treated equally no matter what the case. If you were to single out that one student for a specific characteristic they may have, this one action may cause a lot of damage to this one student that could have been avoided from the beginning.
The invention of the wheel is a completely different article yet connects as well. In it, the article explains the process of how the wheel was created. The wheel first started as something round, which then lead to a sledge, and then a row, and then a groove etc. This simple concept can be transformed into something unbelievable. If the wheel did not begin with the sledge or the row then it would have never lead to the grooves or the carts. It had to go through each specific process in order to get to the wheel that we use today. This connects to education as well. When a student begins to get educated, the teacher has to begin at a and end at z. If the teacher were to start at h and then went back to a to then go to z, the process would never get anywhere. If you were to really understand a certain depth to this article you can see how important certain topics need to be taught so that a student would be able to comprehend what is going on.
The last article, the history of writing, discusses the different ways that things are written. For instance, the Hebrews had a completely different way of writing than the Greeks and the Greeks had a different way of writing than the Samaritans etc. This is important knowledge for interns to know as well because every student that walks into a teacher’s classroom is going to have some particular background that pertains to them. Their background can cause them to speak a different language or to write a certain way, but there has to still be that sense of acceptance to each and every individual in their own specific case.
So all in all, there are many things in life that are very different yet very similar at the same time. After reading these three articles the connection to interns can be found in many ways. If you really attempt to read and understand the depth behind each particular case, the insights of the way a classroom should work begins to flow through each particular topic.
The prehistoric use of fire discusses how the homo erectus who are also known as the upright men were the first creatures to stand upright and start the use of fire that is needed in many aspects of our lives today. There was one point in the article with the australopithecine creatures that I would personally like to focus on. At that point in the article, these creatures were described as chimpanzees because the way they looked. Their features were supposedly not ‘normal’ to what we are used to nowadays. This to me is very important for interns to take into account before entering a classroom. There are going to be many different students with many different characteristics; but there must not be that sense of judging that particular student. Each student must be treated equally no matter what the case. If you were to single out that one student for a specific characteristic they may have, this one action may cause a lot of damage to this one student that could have been avoided from the beginning.
The invention of the wheel is a completely different article yet connects as well. In it, the article explains the process of how the wheel was created. The wheel first started as something round, which then lead to a sledge, and then a row, and then a groove etc. This simple concept can be transformed into something unbelievable. If the wheel did not begin with the sledge or the row then it would have never lead to the grooves or the carts. It had to go through each specific process in order to get to the wheel that we use today. This connects to education as well. When a student begins to get educated, the teacher has to begin at a and end at z. If the teacher were to start at h and then went back to a to then go to z, the process would never get anywhere. If you were to really understand a certain depth to this article you can see how important certain topics need to be taught so that a student would be able to comprehend what is going on.
The last article, the history of writing, discusses the different ways that things are written. For instance, the Hebrews had a completely different way of writing than the Greeks and the Greeks had a different way of writing than the Samaritans etc. This is important knowledge for interns to know as well because every student that walks into a teacher’s classroom is going to have some particular background that pertains to them. Their background can cause them to speak a different language or to write a certain way, but there has to still be that sense of acceptance to each and every individual in their own specific case.
So all in all, there are many things in life that are very different yet very similar at the same time. After reading these three articles the connection to interns can be found in many ways. If you really attempt to read and understand the depth behind each particular case, the insights of the way a classroom should work begins to flow through each particular topic.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
About Me
Hey,
My name is Jacqueline Saka. I am twenty years old. I grew up in Miami Beach Florida all my life. I have ten siblings. Six sisters and four brothers. I have around twenty two nieces and nephews and I love each one of them to death.
My hobbies include cooking, baking, playing piano, listening to music, and dancing.
I am attempting to major in teaching. I would love to start off with Elementary School kids and then work my way up to Highschool to eventually become a public speaker.
At the moment I'm working full time in a Credit Card Processing Business and taking four classes in Miami Dade. This is actually my first semester in the North Campus. I just switched from South- so wish me luck ;)
I'm the type of person that constantly expresses myself through different types of feelings that I have. To me this is really the best way to go. Why you may ask? Because everything is just real when the feelings come into play. Unless your playing a role in a movie- it is very difficult to fake expressing emotion.
Growing up I attended a religious school. In it I learned and grew in many ways that I never thought was possible. Thank G-d I created lasting friendships that will last a lifetime.
To me, everyday presents a new experience and challenge that G-d puts infront of me to accomplish. I definietly try my best to do the best that I can, but there are those days that you are just not in the mood. To me those are the days that really become the challenge, because it's something that is not easy which once accomplished creates tremendous growth.
Recently, I just discovered that I have a love for reading. It's really funny, because I grew up saying I hated to read, yet I never tried it out. One night I decided to shut the tv off and started reading a book I was interested in. After that night, putting that book down become literally impossible. I took it with me to school and work. It became very addicting. When I was finished I sort of laughed at myself. Because I spent my whole life until now saying that I don't like to read and then look how everything changed once I actually tried picking up the book. The lesson I learnt was, when something in life presents itself infront of you- try it out. You really have nothing to lose. And in the end you may just be surprised with the outcome.
To end this off I guess I'll express my ultimate goal in life. Teaching is a huge part, but in the end I would love to get married, raise a family, and be an amazing housewife.
-Jacqueline Saka-
My name is Jacqueline Saka. I am twenty years old. I grew up in Miami Beach Florida all my life. I have ten siblings. Six sisters and four brothers. I have around twenty two nieces and nephews and I love each one of them to death.
My hobbies include cooking, baking, playing piano, listening to music, and dancing.
I am attempting to major in teaching. I would love to start off with Elementary School kids and then work my way up to Highschool to eventually become a public speaker.
At the moment I'm working full time in a Credit Card Processing Business and taking four classes in Miami Dade. This is actually my first semester in the North Campus. I just switched from South- so wish me luck ;)
I'm the type of person that constantly expresses myself through different types of feelings that I have. To me this is really the best way to go. Why you may ask? Because everything is just real when the feelings come into play. Unless your playing a role in a movie- it is very difficult to fake expressing emotion.
Growing up I attended a religious school. In it I learned and grew in many ways that I never thought was possible. Thank G-d I created lasting friendships that will last a lifetime.
To me, everyday presents a new experience and challenge that G-d puts infront of me to accomplish. I definietly try my best to do the best that I can, but there are those days that you are just not in the mood. To me those are the days that really become the challenge, because it's something that is not easy which once accomplished creates tremendous growth.
Recently, I just discovered that I have a love for reading. It's really funny, because I grew up saying I hated to read, yet I never tried it out. One night I decided to shut the tv off and started reading a book I was interested in. After that night, putting that book down become literally impossible. I took it with me to school and work. It became very addicting. When I was finished I sort of laughed at myself. Because I spent my whole life until now saying that I don't like to read and then look how everything changed once I actually tried picking up the book. The lesson I learnt was, when something in life presents itself infront of you- try it out. You really have nothing to lose. And in the end you may just be surprised with the outcome.
To end this off I guess I'll express my ultimate goal in life. Teaching is a huge part, but in the end I would love to get married, raise a family, and be an amazing housewife.
-Jacqueline Saka-
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