Today we prepared for our immersion into Chinese culture by discussing how to respect the world's differing belief systems, and empathize with others. We began the J-Term by sharing stories about winter holidays, and reviewing our busy, yet exiting schedule. After this, we read about the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and outcomes associated with intercultural competence, and discussed how this relates to our upcoming outings. For example, it is important for people to be aware about their identities because family backgrounds, upbringings, challenges, and relationships strongly influence people's views of the world, and their resulting ideologies. Also, I found it interesting that a person's ability to perceive cultural relativism does not develop after a single experience, instead it takes a lifetime.
Following this, we read an article about an American teen who wore a qipao dress to prom, and the variations of backlash and support she received. It was intriguing to learn that Chinese-Americans felt that their culture was being appropriated, while Chinese citizens we proud of the recognition. Although this may not be true in every case, it is possible that Chinese people living in American feel more vulnerable as a minority, and feel more defensive about how others interact with their culture. We also discussed how traditions from other countries have been dispersed across the world, and how the value of engaging with a different culture is based on intent. Afterward, we watched some animated videos to get an overarching sense of Chinese history, and how current ideas of unity originated thousands of years ago. We also began individual research about the history of China's politics, culture, immigration, wars, and the identities of Taiwan and Hong Kong.
In the afternoon, we watched a documentary called American Factory which is about a Chinese billionaire establishing a glass factory called Fuyao in Dayton, Ohio, and the ideological clashes between Chinese and American workers. This documentary highlights the Chinese belief in constant improvement and discipline in workplaces, and the American belief in securing human rights through worker's unions. American Factory also shows the similarities of Chinese and American workers, as people from both cultures make sacrifices to provide for their families. Overall, today was a great start to the J-Term, which will continue with a guest speaker, and a visit to the Chung Mai Temple tomorrow.
By Callista Wilson
Following this, we read an article about an American teen who wore a qipao dress to prom, and the variations of backlash and support she received. It was intriguing to learn that Chinese-Americans felt that their culture was being appropriated, while Chinese citizens we proud of the recognition. Although this may not be true in every case, it is possible that Chinese people living in American feel more vulnerable as a minority, and feel more defensive about how others interact with their culture. We also discussed how traditions from other countries have been dispersed across the world, and how the value of engaging with a different culture is based on intent. Afterward, we watched some animated videos to get an overarching sense of Chinese history, and how current ideas of unity originated thousands of years ago. We also began individual research about the history of China's politics, culture, immigration, wars, and the identities of Taiwan and Hong Kong.
In the afternoon, we watched a documentary called American Factory which is about a Chinese billionaire establishing a glass factory called Fuyao in Dayton, Ohio, and the ideological clashes between Chinese and American workers. This documentary highlights the Chinese belief in constant improvement and discipline in workplaces, and the American belief in securing human rights through worker's unions. American Factory also shows the similarities of Chinese and American workers, as people from both cultures make sacrifices to provide for their families. Overall, today was a great start to the J-Term, which will continue with a guest speaker, and a visit to the Chung Mai Temple tomorrow.
By Callista Wilson
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