Writing Homework Help

DISCUSSION ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS

In your replies, please respond to classmates who explored a different culture.

The student must then post 2 replies of at least 200-300 words. Any articles cited must have been published within the last five years. Acceptable sources include the course textbooks, the Bible, course presentations, course resources, and articles published in peer reviewed journals. Sources should be cited in APA format, current edition.

Please respond please to the following 2 posts separately.

1. K J Posted

For the cultural immersion project, I chose the Mexican American population. In addition to conducted research, I watched Mexican-Americans: The Invisible Minority (Dennis, 2018), a documentary about this cultural subgroup during the 1960s. In my reading, I was able to learn more about the history of the Mexican population in the United States. I think that one of the most interesting pieces of history is the Mexican American Civil Rights Movement also called the Chicano Movement, which began in 1968 (Muñoz, 2018). While the movement was touched on briefly at different points during the video, there was also additional demographic information. During this time, over one-third of the Mexican American population was living in poverty and there was an unemployment rate two times higher than that of White Americans (Dennis, 2018). It was also disheartening to learn that the education of this group was not encouraged by the majority population. Most Mexican Americans worked low-income jobs that had low skill requirements, such as agricultural work. When agricultural work was at its peak, larger families were able to bring in more income, but changes in technology and the economy eventually lessened the demand for agricultural workers over time (Dennis, 2018).

While some strides have been made for this population over the last several decades, there is still progress to be made. Currently, in Mexican American families, more women are taking on roles outside of the home to enter the workforce (McGoldrick et al., 2005). Unfortunately, there is still a significant pay gap for Latina Americans, with only a three-cent increase from thirty years ago (Connley, 2020). I was surprised to learn this. I also watched Under the Same Moon (Riggin, 2007), which depicted the struggles of a single mother living and working in America in hopes of her son joining her when she is more financially stable. Overall, I found the story quite sad as it showed many of the obstacles that are faced, particularly by those that are not yet U.S. citizens. While adults may come to the United States before their children hoping to earn a better living before reuniting, according to Shoichet (2021), the number of children traveling to America without their parents is increasing as immigration remains high. While I found the history and stories of Mexican Americans showing resilience and determination, learning more about what they have and still work to overcome was saddening at times.

I look forward to the interview portion of this project and getting to hear about the viewpoints and experiences of someone from my chosen population. After watching the videos and completing the research portion of the assignment, I am concerned with the possibility of asking questions that may bring up difficult feelings for the interviewee. After reviewing the instructions, I see that we are to conduct our interview based on the interviewee’s reactions, which I feel is an important reminder. I will do my best to respect their comfort levels and remain sensitive to their responses and shared experiences.

References

Connley, C. (2020). Latinas earn $0.55 for every dollar paid to White men, a pay gap that has barely moved in 30 years. CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/29/latinas-face-an-ongoing- pay-gap-that-has-barely-moved-in-30-years.html.

Dennis, M. [reelblack]. (2018, July 31). Mexican-Americans: The invisible minority. [Video] YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-mzSz6xdG4

McGoldrick, M., Giordano, J., & Garcia-Preto, N. (2005). Ethnicity & family therapy (3rd ed., pp. 229-239). Guilford Press.

Muñoz, C. (2018). The Chicano movement: Mexican American history and the struggle for equality. Perspectives on Global Development and Technology, 17(1-2), 31-52. https://doi.org/10.1163/15691497-12341465

Riggin, P. (Director). (2007) La misma luna [Under the same moon] [Film]. Weinstein Company.

Shoichet, C. (2021). Why so many kids cross the border alone. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/17/us/border-why-children-cross-alone/index.html.

2. E P posted

For my cultural immersion project, I chose to research the Russian Orthodox Church and religion. I chose this for my project mainly because I have lived in the same area for about twenty five years and have driven by the church numerous times a week for most of that time. The architecture and bright colors on the buildings is enough to catch anyone’s eye. Add in the fact they host an annual festival as a fundraiser that I have never attended and the decision was an easy one for me.

I was actually able to attend the festival and a church service. Both of which were not only amazing experiences, but eye-openers as well. First, the festival provided me a chance to sample traditional foods and observe performances by dancers and musicians in traditional garments. As a visitor to the festival, everyone was extremely welcoming and friendly. I was able to tour the church as well as listen to the guide explain the history of the religion as it relates to splitting from the Roman Catholic Church. This was known as the Great Schism and happened due to a mix of religious disagreements and politics (Russian Orthodox Church, 2019). I did learn from this tour that one of many religious disagreements between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church was whether or not it was acceptable to use unleavened bread for communion. One of the main things at the festival that I found surprising was one of their largest fundraisers was a vodka ice bar. People also did not see any problem with walking into the church with a mixed drink or beer in their hands. I later found out that these were not just visitors or festival goers, but regular attendees as well. For someone that was raised in the South as Presbyterian and now attends a Methodist church, this is unheard for me.

The second event I was able to attend was an actual church service itself. I almost asked a friend to go with me as I was a bit apprehensive but it occurred to me that simply having a buddy with me would take away from the experience. As soon as I entered the church, I did not feel as welcome as I had been at the festival. For example, I chose to wear dress pants as I normally would instead of a dress or skirt. This earned me some stares from members of the church. I did remember to bring my head scarf with me as they expect women in attendance to wear a head cover, known as a babushka (Russian Orthodox Church, 2019). I was a little taken aback when it was explained that I had to sit in the rear of the church but it did give me time to observe. I noted the men and women were separated in seating and physical location and there was very little time spent sitting down throughout the service. I felt a bit lost when it came to the service itself as a good bit was not conducted in the English. But in all it was a good experience and I look forward to continuing with immersion project.

I am not anticipating too many issues with the final portion of the project as I have already arranged to meet with two different members of the church that are in different age groups. When I explained what I was doing for class, they were excited to be able to share information about the culture and religion with me. Because of their response to my, most likely, unusual request to interview them, I am reminded of one of my grandmother’s favorite Bible verses. Hebrews 13: 2 says “do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it” (NIV, n.d.). Please do not mistake my quoting this verse as insinuating that I am even remotely close to being an angel, but it does remind me that we should treat everyone as if they could be.

References:

New International Version Bible. (n.d.). New International Version Bible. Retrieved from: https://www.biblegateway.com

Russian Orthodox Church. (2019). Facts and details. Retrieved from: http://factsanddetails.com/russia/People_and_Life/sub9_2b/entry-5000.html