Reflective essay

Identify and explain interpersonal, collective and/or institutional discrimination.

     Interpersonal and collective discrimination are somewhat the same thing with few differences. Interpersonal discrimination is where a person is excluded from a job, activity, conversation or discussion based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation or national origin. An example of interpersonal discrimination is an African American might not get the job that was interviewed for because of his race. A Jew might not get the promotion because of religion or a woman might not even get an interview because of her gender. Collective discrimination is where a whole group of people are excluded from an event, conversation or discussion based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation and national origin. An example of collective discrimination is people of Arabic decent being avoided because of the events of 9/11.

How do the choices we make about popular culture influence the formation of our cultural identity?
    Popular culture choices include movies, music, cars we drive  and the way people dress. According to culturalpolitics.net (2012) “various forms of popular culture, including music, film, television, advertising, sports, fashion, toys, magazines and comic books, and the medium in which this message moves, cyber culture.” Back in 1993 I was a big fan of the actor Joey Lawrence. The way he dressed was definitely pop culture. He wore ripped jeans and a flannel shirt around his waist with a leather jacket. During that time period I started dressing that same way and that shaped my cultural identity during that time. I even let my hair grow out like Joey had his hair. I had a friend in high school that was a huge fan of the Dukes of Hazard TV show, and when he became of age to drive he just had to get a Dodge Charger just like the General Lee, the car driven in that show. There are plenty of times I will be watching the Food Network and try to emulate a recipe I just saw on TV. Popular culture molds and shapes everyone in different ways.

How might different attitudes toward work lead to intercultural communication conflicts?

   Different cultures have different customs that can lead to intercultural conflicts. If a person is late to work that might constitute rudeness. If a person is talking with friends that might constitute dallying and coming in too early might constitute inconsideration. If people are from different backgrounds they need to learn how to co-exist so there are not any problems in the work place.

   When two or more different cultures mix, it is easy for small etiquette mistakes to be made that could have negative consequences. Just as you may have felt annoyed when a foreign businessman did not shake your hands upon greeting you, imagine how your Chinese client must have felt when you wrote on his business card or your Indian colleague reacted when you flatly rejected an offer of a meal. Sometimes, not understanding the etiquette of another culture means you show a lack of manners and as Lawrence Sterne said, a lack of deference. This can and does lead to soured relationships, lost deals and in the end poor business results. Anyone working on the international stage needs to understand international business etiquette. (kwintessential.co.uk 2006)

” Different cultures have different ways of communicating so it is easy to have conflicts if the people involved are not careful the way they speak. As told by kwintessential.co.uk (2006) “Some cultures like to talk loudly (US and Germany), some softly (India and China); some speak directly (Holland and Denmark) others indirectly (UK and Japan); some tolerate interrupting others while speaking (Brazil) others not (Canada); some are very blunt (Greece) and some very flowery (Middle East). All will believe the way they are communicating is fine, but when transferred into an international context this no longer applies. Without the right international business etiquette it is easy to offend.”

Describe your plan to become more interculturally savvy in communication.

     To become more interculturally savvy I plan to learn about different customs and cultures throughout the globe because you never know when you might be in a situation where knowing how a certain country acts or behaves will come in handy.

    In the global marketplace, knowledge and skills not only mean power, it can also mean survival. Understanding the need for cultural savvy is just the ante to get into the game of global business. How well you play depends upon your level of cultural competence and intelligence. It is estimated that more than half of all international joint ventures fail within two or three years. The reason most often given is cultural myopia and lack of cultural competency - not the lack of technical or professional expertise. In today’s global marketplace, being culturally savvy is no longer just “nice to have” but mission critical for building and maintaining a competitive global advantage. The “one size fits all, off the shelf initiatives is not an effective approach.(culturalsavvy.com, 2012)

Is it possible for two people to communicate effectively if they don't speak the same language? How?

  It is definitely possible for two people who do not speak the same language to communicate effectively in the form of non verbal communication. In the world today non verbal communication is very important. Also another way for two people to communicate who do not share the same language is to have an interpreter present to help with the language barrier.

      Today computer programs are equipped with the ability to change words from one language to another. That is a powerful tool to help two people that do not understand the same language communicate better with each other. Non verbal communication is still one of the better ways to communicate especially if there is no interpreter or computer around to help. The facial expressions you make can go a long way in communication. Depending on what country the person is from you are communicating with, certain body movements like the way you move your arms or legs can be forms of communication. The way you present yourself with a strong handshake can be a positive form of communication if two people do not share the same language.

    We communicate with each other in far more ways beyond talk and speech. Body language helps to enhance meaning of what we say and impress upon others emotion, feeling, context, and all sorts of communicable expressions. Using facial expressions, gestures, and posture are nonverbal communication tips that can be useful for effective discussion with others. An open posture is important. By sitting straighter or standing tall, we display a more open impression to others, inviting conversation and interaction. Avoiding a hunched position or a bent one is best to show that we welcome others. We also feel better, as our posture can affect our mood. (lifescript.com,2007)

                                        Conclusion

       Overall Intercultural communication comes in many forms. Whether it is the way someone dresses, the way someone communicates with other people when there is a language barrier. Non verbal communication is the best way but other forms will always come in handy. In today’s world you might always be dealing with people from different cultural backgrounds, so it is good to know that you understand that every country is different and that it is wise to know a lot of the customs so you are able to make sure your communication with that person is always a good one.






References



Cultural Politics (2012) Popular Culture

http://culturalpolitics.net/popular_culture

Cultural Savvy (2012) Cultural Savvy is Smart Business

http://www.culturalsavvy.com/index.htm

International Business Etiquette (2006) Kwintessential

http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/articles/international-business-etiquette.html

Lifescript (2007) Nonverbal Communication Tips That Get Your Point Across

http://www.lifescript.com/soul/self/growth/nonverbal_communication_tips_that_get_your_point_across.aspx

Israel



Homeland of the Jews

The flag of The State of Israel includes two blue stripes on white background with a Shield (Star) of David (in Hebrew: Magen David) in the center. This design was first displayed in Rishon-LeZion in 1885 and was also used at the First Zionist Congress in 1897 (Encyclopaedia Judaica, 1971). It was inspired by the tallit (the prayer shawl with blue stripes worn by Jews during prayer) as a symbol. The Star of David is a common symbol of the People of Israel from Biblical times. The flag was adopted officially on October 28, 1948 (25 Tishre, 5709) by the Speaker of the Provisional Council of State.

Definition pulled from http://www.science.co.il/Israel-flag.php

Holocaust

           The Holocaust was the systematic, bureaucratic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of approximately six million Jews by the Nazi regime and its collaborators. "Holocaust" is a word of Greek origin meaning "sacrifice by fire." The Nazis, who came to power in Germany in January 1933, believed that Germans were "racially superior" and that the Jews, deemed "inferior," were an alien threat to the so-called German racial community.  My Aunt's mother-in-law was in the Holocaust and survived, unfortunately she passed a few years ago.

Description pulled from http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005143

School Ties (1992)

School Ties is a movie made in 1992 about a high school football player who had to hide his Jewish heritage just to fit in. The movie took place in the 1950's at a prep school where the head master brings in a Jewish student to play quarterback to beat their rivals. Unknown to David Green all the other students at the school are racist towards Jews. David Green needs to be someone he is not just to be accepted. When the secret is revealed David Green needs to fight back to protect his Honor. Starring  Brendan Fraser and Matt Damon. If you haven't seen the movie I highly recommend it. I give it two thumbs up!!!!!!

Jewish macaroons

One of the desserts that are kosher for the holiday of Passover and they are delicious!!!!





Shalom



Most know that the Hebrew word shalom is understood around the world to mean "peace." However, "peace" is only one small part of the meaning. "Shalom" is used to both greet people and to bid them farewell, and it means much more than "peace, hello or goodbye"....

Description pulled from http://www.therefinersfire.org/meaning_of_shalom.htm

Gran Torino

Introduction


Racism and prejudice are something that will never go away unfortunately, and for Walt Kowalski, he lived it. He lived in a tough Michigan neighborhood. He was the only Caucasian left in his neighborhood and he did not like the people that were moving in. The Asian neighbors that moved in next door felt the same way about him. Throughout the movie you see the change in the way Walt Kowalski started to feel about his neighbors and how he wanted to help out and clean up his neighborhood.

Cultural Conflicts

In the beginning of the movie they are in a church at Walt’s wife’s funeral. According to Walt, his wife was a church-going person and he went strictly for her. Father Janovich told Walt that he made a promise to his wife to look out for him and that she told him she wanted Walt to go to confession. The conflict is where Walt’s wife was religious, Walt was not. Walt says to Father Janovich “I confess that I have no desire to confess to a boy who is just out of the seminary.” (Gran Torino, 2008) This is apparent throughout the movie as Father Janovich tries several times to reach out to Walt and get him to go to confession.

The other conflict is between Walt and the Hmongs. The neighbors have obvious dislike for one another. He uses racial slurs like “gook” or “zipper head” when he refers to his neighbors. Walt then finds himself fending people off of his lawn while at the same time helping the boy next door by protecting him from a gang. He is then looked upon as a hero in the neighborhood. The neighbors start bringing him gifts and Walt just wants to be left alone. This starts his journey in learning to understand the Hmong culture. According to Martin and Nakayama (2011) “Cultural differences between groups often cause conflicts and misunderstandings.”



Pop Culture

One example of pop culture is Walt’s like for American vehicles. Walt worked for years in the Ford factory and his son sells foreign models. As his son is leaving driving away to go home after the funeral Walt says, “Would it kill you to buy American?” (Gran Torino, 2008) I believe this is an example of pop culture because a lot of people feel it is better to buy American. It supports America where buying foreign does not.

Another example of pop culture is when Sue Lor was walking with her Caucasian friend. The two were walking along and talking when they ran into a gang. Suddenly he was talking like he was in a gang with phrases like, “It’s cool dawg” and “It’s all good bro”. These are popular phrases among young people and a part of pop culture today.



Conclusion of film

Of course there could have been different ways to end the film, but this made the most sense. In the film Walt kept spitting up blood and he went to the doctor. Though they never said in the film I assumed he was told he was dying, possibly of cancer. Walt knew the only way to get the gang away from Sue and Thao was to make sure they were locked up for a very long time. I watched how Walt finally went to confession, bought a new tailor made suit and got a straight edge shave at the barber. Walt knew he was going to die to help his neighbors have a better life. So after he locked Thao in his basement he drove down to where the gang lived. Walt made sure that was a lot of witnesses and after talking to the gang for a few minutes he went into his jacket for a light for his cigarette. The gang thought he was drawing for a weapon and shot him dead. Walt sacrificed his own life so Thao can have one.

Even though I would have not re-written the ending my conflict management strategy would have been that I would have done my best to try to talk to the gang directly to try to solve any issues, because unless somebody moved away that gang was not going away. In fact, that is what Walt was trying to do is discuss the problem with the gang only to be killed by gun fire. In a situation like the neighborhood was in sometimes maybe its best just to avoid the situation, but if you do that you will always be looking over your shoulder.

Feelings for film

Overall I thought Gran Torino was an excellent movie. Clint Eastwood showed Cultural conflict in many ways. I do think there are people that do live in that type of environment with the racism and the hatred and I do think that is really sad. What I liked about the film was how Walt changed throughout the movie and instead of feeling hatred for Thao and his family he was trying to help them. When the gang would try to start a fight Walt would be there to break it up. There was not much about the film I did not like. It bothered me every time Thao was bullied by that gang. Thao was trying to be a good person and trying to make a life for himself and the gang led by his cousin would not leave him alone and at one point put a lit cigarette to his cheek. I can best identify with Thao. Thao was a quiet person who just wanted to make a better life for himself. The character that best represented me was Father Janovich. I felt like Walt should have called the police for help. Though I am Jewish and Father Janovich is not, we both are religious people who believe in faith and God.













References



Martin & Nakayama, (2011) Experiencing Intercultural Communication. New York: McGraw-Hill



Schenk, N. & Eastwood, C. (2008). Gran Torino