1. I think what intrigues me most about culture is that it is such a tight knit community. No matter where you are in the world, everyone takes pride in their culture. Everyone cares about their own culture and the values that have been instilled in them. It seems quite obvious that someone would value their own culture, but yet it is still amazing to see it through pictures, music, and videos. That is one thing that everyone in the world has in common, valuing their culture and beliefs.
2. I guess I kind of realized that as Americans, we aren't the coolest. I guess I think that we normally are the coolest and have the best things, cultures, and traditions. However, I do realize now that that isn't so. There are so many cool things about all cultures. They are all so unique and different, yet alike in so many ways also. We don't just stand apart from everyone, there are a lot of similarities and there are a lot of cultures that have "cooler" things than we do.
3. This class has inspired me to learn more about the world. Before entering this class, I did not know a whole lot about different cultures or different places. I was so nervous when I had to pick somewhere to do my presentation on. I all of a sudden realized that I do know of that many places and the few I do are the ones that we are covering in our textbook. This has inspired me to learn of different places around the world and to get interested in what is going on and what they believe. It made me realize that life does exist for me outside of South Carolina and that I can turn some of my focus to other places and things.
I agree with your statement about America just not being as cool as you thought is was. I believe that there was a sense of closeness in some cultures that I have not really experienced much in my own culture. I also think that watching and seeing and listening to other cultures helped me to have a greater appreciation and interest in the cultures instead of indifference. It really makes you want to travel and live in some of these areas for an extended amount of time!
ReplyDeleteI agree with both your and Julia's assessment that we may not have as much going on for us in American musical culture as we had previously thought. I think in America we value the individual more than the group--and it is the reverse in other cultures, which is why they would seem more "close-nit". I would venture to say that one thing other cultures would value about American culture is (becuase we value the individual) our freedom of expression. This just goes to show that we are intrigued by those things different--and I guess the grass is always greener on the other side!
ReplyDeleteI love it that you have learned how to appreciate other cultures and their own "cool" qualities. I would say that that is one of the ethereal purposes of this class. It is meant to let us see ourselves and the world around us in a different light.
ReplyDeleteRelating to what Charlotte AND Julia AND you said, I went on a trip to Italy a few years ago. My tour guide, a native Italian, asked my American group what we thought was great about our country. I said I was proud that we have freedom. He said, "You don't think I have freedom?" And right then and there, I grew up a bit, and realized that every one and every culture has a different viewpoint of the world around them. We must learn to look through other's eyes as well. :)