4 posts tagged “culture”
What fictional character do you relate to most and why?
I don't know why I still feel that way as my life is certainly decidedly different that what this girl in turn of the 20th century America experienced.
I guess it is because I read this book when I was in junior high, and something about this character - her no-more-than-average looks, her love of reading and writing, her somewhat difficult relationship with her mother, her sensitivity to the beauty in life despite the harsh reality of where she lived and the things she experienced - spoke to me. I was enthralled with this book. And in many ways I still am. I've read it no less than 2 dozen times since then.
And every time I read it, the girl on the fire escape nibbling on peppermint candy and reading a book
looks just like me.
Show us a photo of a place you love.
Book: Show us a book you've read more than once.
Since most of the books I've already posted here fall into this category, I decided to post an old guilty pleasure: Flowers in the Attic.
I've read the whole series, at least twice, though it has been YEARS since I did so. I also read the Heaven series, and a few others, but lost interest about 10 years ago. The books published after Andrews' death but "in her name" were just not that good. It was like reading the same thing over just with different names and in different locales.
I do have paperback copies of this series still stashed away somewhere, though...
Today was my first day back in a classroom. I filled in for one of the high school teachers. There is a young man in one of her classes who is constantly bringing up race - whether to describe himself or to tease - mostly good-naturedly, but to tease nonetheless.
Today I called him on it.
"Why are you always bringing up the race thing? I really don't care what color you are and neither should you."
He looked a bit taken aback.
This got me to thinking (bet you saw that statement coming, eh?):
How much does race affect the things we do and the things we say?
When we lived in the Midwest, we lived in a community that I jokingly referred to as "so white it was clear". Then we moved to an area in another state with a very diverse population. Rob and I were excited to expose our kids to this. Even our church was full of racial diversity, and I loved it. Our friends were from varying backgrounds - socially, culturally, and yes, racially. We found this to be a benefit to our children and our family. Our daughter went to a school where she was a minority - and I taught there, many times being the only blond-haired, blue-eyed face in the room. But we didn't mind.
Where we live now, it is different, and considering that it is further north, that has surprised me. There is an undercurrent of disdain - or perhaps it is a bit of mistrust - for folks of a different hue. I don't like it - but sometimes I wonder if I am really as open and tolerant as I think I am.
When you are asked to describe a person who is of a different race, is the first adjective race-related? Do you find that, though you sincerely believe race is not an issue or a determination in the things you do or the people you socialize with, are your relationships really a reflection of that?
I don't mean this as a pointing-of-fingers in anyway (except for maybe at myself); I am sincerely curious. For example, I think that it can be difficult to describe someone of a different race without bringing a racial description into the picture. And if we do, is it, or should it be, offensive? Or are there just certain terms that are inappropriate or unnecessary? Is it possible to take the "being color-blind" thing too far?
So, Vox friends - where are you on this?
(I will try to expound more eloquently about this next time around. I am feeling a bit brain dead at the moment - today's Latin class about killed me. For now...it's your turn!)
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