wk4

Honestly, this assignment is now repetitive. it's the third time we've had to describe a scenario. I dont feel that this is helpful any longer to our learning and is very forced. soooooo here's the assignment...

I am regularly microinsulted. It often happens with my religion. At a party last night, in fact, we were playing a game  (similar to Apples to Apples) which I was continuously a target of. A "subject" card is selected, such as "If I had ____ I would be ____". then the rest of the group selects cards from their hand to be the best suited for the blanks on the subject card. person who's turn it is chooses the fitting card out of these options. I this senario, I always got the jewish-oriented cards when it was my turn to pick. Although some of it is the 'luck' of the draw of the hands' dealt, it was not uncommon for me to have to pick through cards such as Ashuwitz, The Jews, and Penny Pincher as the options given to me. So in this case, "If i had The Jews I would be a Penny Pincher". Of course, I would not have to pick these options, and sometimes they did not make sense. my friends also did not create these cards. generally things like this do no bother me, especially among friends who are not intending harm. but to many this can be very insulting.

i discussed this week's video with my friends, and they laughed. maybe it is because their banter and pokes do not bother me.

wk 3

the three people which ive spoken with all revolve their diversity around ethnicity or religion. it is interesting that their culture definitions are specific to religion, versus their diversity relates to ethnicity. In this course, we have greatly expanded on the ways which diversity and culture can be defined. although one of the people i spoke with is handicapped, this did not come up in the conversation concerning diversity, which it plays a huge role in her life and she continuously advocates for disabled people.

wk 2

The first item i would choose would be a family photograph of us on vacation, the second would be a necklace with a Jewish star on it, and the third would be a special blanket.

the photograph shows how our family is close and had a regular vacation together, a tradition. It also shows the way we like to dress, and the environment we enjoyed. 

The necklace represents a gift which my parents gave me in celebration of a milestone achieved in my religious process. It is a gold necklace, which can represent the money spent and the worth it plays in supporting this accomplishment. In addition to it's symbolic representation, the Jewish star is rooted in the religion and shows our beliefs. 

The third item may seem very strange for most people,but for me it is a representation of belonging. Family friends gave me the blanket when i was born, I was swaddled in it. This closeness and feeling of being surrounded  is always present when I have the blanket with me. It is a comforting item. It also shows how our family and friends celebrated the birth of a child (me) and how the symbol of the blanket has stayed with me through adulthood. It provides warmth, comfort, and memories. 

If i could only keep one personal item, that would be ok. Each of these items are representations of things, and the memories attached will live on beyond having the item present. 

I am surprised that these items are the ones which I would keep. interestingly, i am ok with having none of these items as well. knowing who I am and remember how my family lived would be enough.