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

Hanukkah Gelt



Hanukkah gelt refers to either money given as a gift on Hanukkah, or more commonly today, to a coin shaped piece of chocolate. Usually the chocolate coin is wrapped in gold or silver foil and given to children in small mesh bags on Hanukkah.The word "gelt" is actually the Yiddish word for money. It's unclear when the tradition of giving children money on Hanukkah began and there are several competing theories. The most likely source for the tradition comes from the Hebrew word for Hanukkah.

Description pulled from  http://judaism.about.com/od/holidays/a/What-Is-Hanukkah-Gelt.htm 

Tallit



 In the Jewish tradition the tallit is worn over the outer clothes during the morning prayers

Jewish chair dance

This is a tradional Jewish chair dance that couples do at a Jewish wedding. The bride and groom get put in chairs and hoisted up and danced around so everyone can share in their joy.

Mezuzah

A Mezuzah is hung by the front door of a Jewish home.

Every time you pass through a door with a mezuzah on it, you touch the mezuzah and then kiss the fingers that touched it, expressing love and respect for G-d and his mitzvot and reminding yourself of the mitzvot contained within them.

Description pulled from http://www.jewfaq.org/signs.htm

Yahrzeit Candle

A yahrzeit candle also spelled yahrtzeit candle or called a memorial candle is a type of candle that is lit in memory of the dead in Judaism.


A line of memorial candles that burn for 26 hours.




The use of a yahrzeit candle is a widely practiced custom, where mourners light a yahrzeit candle that burns for 24 hours, on the anniversary of the death on the Hebrew Calendar.  

Yarmulke

Yarmulke also known as a kippah or yamaka is worn by Jewish men as they enter Synagogue. Orthodox Jews wear the Yarmulke all the time.

What is the Identity


I can relate to age identity. Growing up I was always the smallest child so people thought I was younger then I really was. I had a friend in high school whose mother said I was immature for my age because of the way I acted when I watched sporting events. In my culture turning age thirteen means you become a man or a woman. To this day I sometimes get carded when I buy lottery tickets. I guess that is a good thing when I am sixty I will look like I am forty. I have to admit it sometimes bothers me that people look at me like a kid, but I am who I am.

How did you learn that having this identity was different from having another identity? When you learned this, how did you feel?

I would say that having age identity is different from having physical ability identity because though I am small for my size it never stopped by ability to do the things I wanted to do. When I was a child I played soccer for seven years and was always the smallest kid on the team, but I never let that stop me. I always held my own with the kids that were bigger and more superior then me. I might have looked younger then everybody else but played like a champ when I got on that field. In high school my freshman year we had a three week period where we played basketball. Nobody chose me because of my small stature but I nailed those three pointers when I got the ball in my hands, I was a mini Jeff Hornacek. I felt great knowing that someone my size was taking charge in the games I played. Even though my opponents tried I was not to be denied on the soccer field or the basketball court.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of having this identity for you personally?

For me personally there is only one advantage to having age identity I can get things at a cheaper price because I look younger then I really am. I believe there are more disadvantages to have age identity. You get carded all the time. When I was in my twenties I had trouble meeting girls because I looked a lot younger then I really was girls shied away from me. Overall I made my disadvantages into advantages whatever I do or have done in life I do with such a confidence that except for things I have no control over I am successful.

How does this identity influence you in school or at work?



This identity always had a negative influence on me in school. When I was in the fifth grade on the first day of school the teacher walked up to me in line and told me that kindergarten through third grade met on the other playground that this area was for fourth through sixth graders. When I told her I was in the correct line and I was a fifth grader, she apologized and you can tell was really embarrassed. I was even held back in elementary school not only for my grades, but the teacher told my parents one more year of the same grade would not only help my school work but it might give me a chance to grow to look more like the kids in my age range and grade.

How does your identity influence the way you communicate with people from your own and other identities?




I communicate fine from with people from all identities. I am a people person very friendly and outgoing. When I talk to people I control the conversation and talk with such confidence. I sometimes can talk very fast and jump from one subject to another. It must be the New York in me. My age identity does not slow me down one bit.

Conclusion

I have age identity and would not have it any other way. I might be small for my age, but I am a unique individual who has a lot to give to the world. As Martin and Nakayama, (2011) states “as we age, we tap into cultural notions of how someone our age should act, look, and behave; that is, we establish an age identity.” Just because you’re a certain age does not mean you will be big or small or behave a certain way. I will be forty years old next year people take me for in my twenties. Not only do I look young I feel great. According to communicationencyclopedia.com (2008) “Communication plays a substantial role in influencing understandings and self-presentations with regard to age. While the immutable passing of time (and rising chronological age) is at the heart of life-span development issues, our age group identifications and the age groups into which we are categorized are not deterministically organized by chronological age.” Being that I look younger then I really am, I hope that means long Gevity of life. As reported by health.usnews.com, (2011) “People who look younger than their age tend to live longer than those who look older than their years, a new study suggests. The finding came from research that involved 1,826 Danish twins, aged 70 and older, who were given physical and cognitive tests and then had their faces photographed. Three groups of volunteers looked at the photos and indicated the age they perceived the participants to be. Twins were assessed individually, and on different days.”





Reference

Communicationencyclopedia.com (2008) Age identity and communication

http://www.communicationencyclopedia.com/public/tocnode?query=cognitions&widen=1&result_number=354&from=search&id=g9781405131995_yr2012_chunk_g97814051319956_ss34-1&type=std&fuzzy=0&slop=1

Health.usnews.com (2011) Looking Younger than Your Age May Mean Longer Life

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/boomer-health/articles/2009/12/14/looking-younger-than-your-age-may-mean-longer-life



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

Jewish Cantor

In Judaism, a cantor - also known as a "chazzan" or "hazzan" - is the person who leads the congregation in prayer along with the rabbi. The position of cantor is significant because music plays a major role in Jewish prayer services.

Definition pulled from http://judaism.about.com/od/glossary/g/What-Is-A-Cantor.htm

The hebrew and Yiddish languages are composed of an alphabet different to that than the one used in english. Hebrew is also written from right to left rather than left to right. So in the below picture Alef is the first letter and Tav is the last.

Shofar

A shofar is an instrument traditonally made from the horn of a ram or another kosher animal. It was used in ancient Israel to announce the New Moon (Rosh Chodesh) and to call people together. It was also blown on Rosh Hashanah, to mark the beginning of the New Year.


Information from http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/shofar.html

Hebrew School

Hebrew School can be either one of two things.

• The Jewish equivilant to Sunday School.
• An educational leaning environment separated from public schools where children learn Jewish History and to read in Hebrew

Hebrew School also prepares children for their bar or bat mitzvah.

In jewish culture one popular type of bread is Challah (hal-lah) and is commonly eaten during Sabbath and and Holidays. The bread contains large numbers of eggs, white flour, water, yeast, and sugar it also does not contain any milk or butter. During preparation Challah is braided for looks and tradition.

This is an image of challah dough before it is cooked but after it is braided.


The is an image of the finished product.

Dreidel
A Tradition Game of Hannukah

The four sides of the dreidel, from right: nun, gimmel, hey, and shin

Playing with the dreidel is a traditional Hanukkah game played in Jewish homes all over the world, and rules may vary. Here's how to play the basic dreidel game:



1. Any number of people can take part in this great game.



2. Each player begins the game with an equal number of game pieces (about 10-15) such as pennies, nuts, chocolate chips, raisins, matchsticks, etc.



3. At the beginning of each round, every participant puts one game piece into the center "pot." In addition, every time the pot is empty or has only one game piece left, every player should put one in the pot.



4. Every time it's your turn, spin the dreidel once. Depending on the outcome, you give or get game pieces from the pot:



a) Nun means "nisht" or "nothing" [in Yiddish]. The player does nothing.

b) Gimmel means "gantz" or "everything" [in Yiddish]. The player gets everything in the pot.

c) Hey means "halb" or "half" [in Yiddish]. The player gets half of the pot. (If there is an odd number of pieces in the pot, the player takes half of the total plus one).

d) Shin (outside of Israel) means "shtel" or "put in" [in Yiddish]. Peh (in Israel) means "pay." The player adds a game piece to the pot.



5. If you find that you have no game pieces left, you are either "out" or may ask a fellow player for a "loan."



6. When one person has won everything, that round of the game is over!

Instructions to play Dreidel originally from http://www.myjewishlearning.com/holidays/Jewish_Holidays/Hanukkah/At_Home/Dreidel/How_To_Play.shtml

During the initial ceremony of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah the boy/girl turning thirteen reads passages from the Jewish scripture "Torah".

Historical Examination

1. Why would it be important to examine the role of history in Intercultural Communication?



It is important to examine the role of history of Intercultural Communication because you need to know what makes up Intercultural Communication when dealing with people from diverse backgrounds. When you are communicating with someone of a different culture you want to make sure you don’t offend them in any way. Different cultures’ have different customs so you want to make sure you study up that culture before you interact with that person of a different background. For example according to Martin & Nakayama (2011) “when President George W. Bush was about to go to war in Iraq, he referred to this War as a “crusade.” The use of this term evoked strong negative reactions in the Islamic world, due to the history of the Crusades nearly1,000 years ago. Even if the Crusades carry little or no historical weight in the United States, this may not be true among other cultural groups around the world. The Crusades are a very important historical event in the religious identity of Muslims.”

As stated by kwintessential.co.uk (nd), “as business becomes more and more international, many companies need to know how best to structure their companies, manage staff and communicate with customers. Intercultural communication gives them an insight into the areas they need to address or understand. Intercultural communication theories are now also used within the education, health care and other public services due to growing multicultural populations.” By knowing the history a person will be better prepared to deal with situations in the business world. Because there are a lot of people with different back grounds working in all sorts of different fields all over the world so if you know the history of the different cultures you will be better prepared to deal with all sorts of situations. As told by faculty.buffalostate.edu (nd) “Nations and people of the world are increasingly interconnected and mutually interdependent. Globally, most cities and countries are becoming more diverse internally, with citizens and residents of varying races, religions, ethnicities and national backgrounds.”

2. What are hidden histories and how might hidden histories affect intercultural interactions?



According to Martin & Nakayama (2011) “hidden histories are histories that typically are not conveyed in a widespread manner. These histories include gender, sexual orientation, race and ethnicity, migration, colonialism, and socioeconomic class.” If someone hid their sexual orientation with the fear they wouldn’t be accepted that might affect the way they act toward other people. If a family member dates outside their religion or race with the fear that they might not be accepted by family or friends that would affect the way they interact with people.

I know people that have lived that way and it made their lives really tough, trying to hide who they really were. I have a friend who is Caucasian, and he married an African American woman. For the longest time hid this big piece of his life from his family. If there was a family gathering he either went alone or had a female friend of his race go with him because he did not know how his family would react to him dating an African American. He finally broke down and told them because he was tired of living a lie to his family. He was in love and his family needed to know. His family was fine with it and he realized he was just lying to himself and nobody else.

3. Compare and contrast family histories with national histories.



The comparisons of family and national histories are the same as when it comes to people. As reported by Martin & Nakayama (2011) “family histories occur the same as other histories but on a more personal level. Some people do not know which countries or cities their families emigrated from, or what tribes they belonged to, or where they lived in the United States. But other people place great emphasis on knowing that, say, their ancestors arrived on the Mayflower, or migrated to Utah with Brigham Young, or survived the Holocaust.” As told by Martin & Nakayama (2011) “the national history of any nation-its great events and figures-is important to the people of the nation.” They both have figures that are important to them because the people in each history are an important part of that particular history.

The contrasts are, in family history the people that are an important part are ancestors to that history. It might tell you where your family originally came from. According to Martin & Nakayama (2011) “hidden histories of families are revealed through DNA testing.” DNA testing can show who your likely descendants are. “In National histories people are expected to recognize the great events and the so called people who were influential in the development of our country.” Martin & Nakayama (2011) National history is more about people that made this country compared to people you are related to with family history. 4. How is the history of gays and lesbians relevant to intercultural communication?

4. How is the history of gays and lesbians relevant to intercultural communication?



The history of gays and lesbians date back many years. According to Martin & Nakayama (2011) “stories of the treatment of gays and lesbians during World War II promote a common history and influence intercultural communication among gays and lesbians in France, Germany, the Netherlands, and other nations. Today, a monument in Amsterdam marks that history, helping to ensure that we remember that gays and lesbians were victims of the Nazi Holocaust as well.” People have always treated gays and lesbians differently, like it is a crime. People cannot help who they are and who they are attracted to. According to Martin & Nakayama (2011) it said that President Abraham Lincoln might have been gay. If he was, who cares, it didn’t change the way he ran the country.

If it wasn’t for famous people coming out, then I think a lot of people would still be very close minded. Some beloved people have come out recently like Rosie O’Donnell, Ellen DeGeneres, and Lance Bass to name a few. I think by these beloved celebrities coming out it helped a lot more people that feel trapped come out. I do not believe that by being gay or lesbian it should make any difference, whether it is in the military or running the country. I know me personally, I want the best person doing the job and that has nothing to do with their sexual preference.

5. How can we negotiate histories in interactions?



Throughout history people of different races and religions have always been treated differently. I have a friend who is a teacher with a Masters degree in Education. She was at a conference with a colleague who also had a Masters in early childhood. My friend is Caucasian and her colleague is Native American. At the conference my friend was asked if she would like to take this book with her to share with her aide. Just because her colleague was of Native American decent she was looked down on. Years ago when a neighbor of mine found out we were Jewish through the course of a conversation, her disposition toward us changed. She really never talked to us again and when she did you can tell she was very cold. Just because of our Jewish heritage she treated us like common garbage. You would have thought we were in the holocaust.

Treating people differently because of something they have no control over is just prejudice and outright wrong. I have known African Americans and people of other races that are smarter and more intelligent than my race which is Caucasian. People need to be more aware of the way they treat people. Like I always say “treat people the way you want to be treated”. Besides hurting someone, you never know when your actions and the way you treat people might come back and bite you on the backside.



Reference page

Faculty.buffalostate.edu (nd) Intercultural Communication

http://faculty.buffalostate.edu/smithrd/UAE%20Communication/Unit5.pdf

Kwintessential.co.uk (nd) What is Intercultural Communication

http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/articles/definition-of-intercultural-communication.html

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

This is a traditional Jewish dance that is performed at weddings and Bar/Bat Mitzvahs.

Judaism

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I chose Judaism to represent my culture because I was born into, and was raised into the Jewish faith.