My identity has many facets. There are many categories and subcategories that I could use to attempt to put the description of who I am into words. I feel, however, that the one that's been laid most heavily on my mind lately is the idea of my national identity. National identity is a person's place within a nation. People will often ask "what does it mean to be American?" The answers would make up that person's national identity; things such as rights and privileges, historical events and aspects of daily life. Personally, I think of my national identity by the way that people from other nations see us. I love asking non-Americans what they think of the American people and culture. The answers are always surprising, often humorous, and frequently true. To me, the view that we portray is our identity.
One of the characteristics of the American identity is that we are very loud, we tend to open up conversation to deep, personal things quite quickly in relationships, and we are very focused on ourselves and our own agendas. I don't always fall into those stereotypes, but I admit that at times I do. In contrast, the British people are very reserved, yet not unfriendly. They don't immediately delve into the deepest, most personal parts of who they are, and share their emotions sparingly. This, of course, does not apply to all Brits all the time. My host mom has spent many hours over tea and digestives telling me her thoughts and opinions with passion and emotion, although I've only known her for a few weeks.
The other night as I was spending time with a new group of friends I've made since arriving here in fair-weathered London I began sharing the way I'm going to look at America differently when I return home. Because I myself am more reserved I feel like I fit into the British culture very well. The already apparent difference between my personality and the American cultural norms will seem even more pronounced after spending so much time amongst the British culture. Also, I always feel more aware of our faults as a nation after returning from another country. Things such as the way we treat each other, our government, our cultural norms and what we place value in will seem skewed and out of place. I think I'll feel that we are constantly putting ourselves on pedestals as a nation, and I'll be constantly wanting to humble myself. I won't necessarily stand out to others, but I'll feel out of place. Being able to see these differences and perspectives will influence the way I think, feel and act. It will affect the things that I value, such as family and relationships, and eventually be modeled in the way I raise my family.
Taking time to examine one's own identity is vital. Everyone should be familiar with his or her own identity, and then allow themselves to see it from another culture's perspective. Where you are personally is almost irrelevant if you don't know how you fit in with, or stand out to, the rest of the world. It's only when you know your similarities and differences with the world around you that you can begin to solidify your own identity.
Friday 17 October 2008
Friday 10 October 2008
Experience for the Young
Having spent the last three weeks in London (I can't believe it's already been that long!) I've gotten to know my home-stay "mom", Ellen, quite well. Many evenings have been spend sharing tea and cookies, and talking about our pasts, presents and futures. When asked to interview an older member of the British community I knew I wanted to talk to her about her life experiences. She was very willing to answer my questions, provided I paid her with some of the home-made fudge I received from home, so with tea and chocolate in tow we headed towards the living room.
Although I've heard many stories of her childhood experiences over the last few weeks, I started out by asking her what kinds of things she did with her family as a child. They had no TV when she was young, so they would often gather around the radio to listen to their favorite ghostly radio show called Appointment With Fear. Every Sunday afternoon was spent playing board games, picnicking in the park, and sometimes going for a swim or seeing a film at the local cinema. As she's told me before, she had a very happy childhood with an extremely close-knit family. Her mother used to say that the dining room table was the most important piece of furniture in the house. It was where the family came together to share the experiences of their day and enjoy time together. She always has valued family above all else, and she talked in great detail about how she's worked hard to pass that along to her children and grandchildren. Times are changing, though, and she knows it.
I asked Ellen about the important social changes that have taken place over the years and how they've affected the culture. Her first response was that kids spend too much time in front of the TV and computer these days. Too much of life is planned out, with set times for everything. Family life is becoming more and more scattered. Besides family, she said that neighbors aren't friendly to each other like they used to be. She doesn't even know some of the families that live around her. Ellen feels that the importance of family and community isn't shared by many English people anymore. The culture is becoming more and more of a "keeping up with the Jones'" mentality, rather than the more laid back, content with what they had attitude of the past. She told me several times that kids today just have too much stuff, and I wholeheartedly agree.
When I was a child, which wasn't all that long ago, I remember that our favorite Saturday night activity was to put the microwave in the middle of the kitchen counter, insert a bag of popcorn, turn off all the lights in the house and watch it slowly rotate as it popped. Simple things like that were all it took to entertain my brother and I and bring laughter into our household. Now, only a decade or so later, I notice the changes. I regularly babysit two young children, and it takes an entire room full of stuffed animals, Star Wars action figures, books, Legos, foam swords and dress-up costumes to get them through the six hours that I care for them. Although I think my family did a very good job of not letting our focus be on things rather than people, I feel that America has always been very material-minded. In my opinion, technological changes in the US have done the most damage. The kid who had the Game Boy was not as cool as the kid who had the Game Boy Color. It's a steady progression, and it's not exactly doing wonders for the family unit. I can definitely feel a separation in my own family now that TV shows and X-Box games rule our evenings, rather than the ghost stories and board games we used to share.
Ellen gave me an important piece of advice. She stressed the importance of keeping a family close together, and passing along that mindset to the younger generations. Although it's a lesson I was taught growing up, it adds a lot of value when an older member of society acknowledges it. Although I'm not anywhere close to starting my own family, I'll definitely do my very best to model closeness, sharing experiences, and holding on to the ones I love, despite what our culture beckons.
Although I've heard many stories of her childhood experiences over the last few weeks, I started out by asking her what kinds of things she did with her family as a child. They had no TV when she was young, so they would often gather around the radio to listen to their favorite ghostly radio show called Appointment With Fear. Every Sunday afternoon was spent playing board games, picnicking in the park, and sometimes going for a swim or seeing a film at the local cinema. As she's told me before, she had a very happy childhood with an extremely close-knit family. Her mother used to say that the dining room table was the most important piece of furniture in the house. It was where the family came together to share the experiences of their day and enjoy time together. She always has valued family above all else, and she talked in great detail about how she's worked hard to pass that along to her children and grandchildren. Times are changing, though, and she knows it.
I asked Ellen about the important social changes that have taken place over the years and how they've affected the culture. Her first response was that kids spend too much time in front of the TV and computer these days. Too much of life is planned out, with set times for everything. Family life is becoming more and more scattered. Besides family, she said that neighbors aren't friendly to each other like they used to be. She doesn't even know some of the families that live around her. Ellen feels that the importance of family and community isn't shared by many English people anymore. The culture is becoming more and more of a "keeping up with the Jones'" mentality, rather than the more laid back, content with what they had attitude of the past. She told me several times that kids today just have too much stuff, and I wholeheartedly agree.
When I was a child, which wasn't all that long ago, I remember that our favorite Saturday night activity was to put the microwave in the middle of the kitchen counter, insert a bag of popcorn, turn off all the lights in the house and watch it slowly rotate as it popped. Simple things like that were all it took to entertain my brother and I and bring laughter into our household. Now, only a decade or so later, I notice the changes. I regularly babysit two young children, and it takes an entire room full of stuffed animals, Star Wars action figures, books, Legos, foam swords and dress-up costumes to get them through the six hours that I care for them. Although I think my family did a very good job of not letting our focus be on things rather than people, I feel that America has always been very material-minded. In my opinion, technological changes in the US have done the most damage. The kid who had the Game Boy was not as cool as the kid who had the Game Boy Color. It's a steady progression, and it's not exactly doing wonders for the family unit. I can definitely feel a separation in my own family now that TV shows and X-Box games rule our evenings, rather than the ghost stories and board games we used to share.
Ellen gave me an important piece of advice. She stressed the importance of keeping a family close together, and passing along that mindset to the younger generations. Although it's a lesson I was taught growing up, it adds a lot of value when an older member of society acknowledges it. Although I'm not anywhere close to starting my own family, I'll definitely do my very best to model closeness, sharing experiences, and holding on to the ones I love, despite what our culture beckons.
Friday 3 October 2008
The Problem With Life Is...
Have you ever wished that life contained background music? I personally think it would be wonderful to hear a good rock song while I'm strolling down the sidewalk, or a beautiful symphony when I'm happy. Perhaps the most useful would be the unmistakeable sound of danger music when you need a little warning. But I also happen to think that having an audible narrator would be a good addition to life.
I was riding the tube last night full of joy because I was about to attend a Christian prayer and worship night at ULU. I sat there listening to Sherwood and The Fold on my iPod and could almost hear a voice dictating my feelings and emotions word for word. My mind then wandered to an idea for a short film involving someone who could hear what they were thinking and feeling, and how that would affect the way they acted and responded to things. Can you imagine how much of an attitude adjustment would take place when you were being told exactly what your attitude was? I think at first it would be quite annoying, since human nature is to deny it and cover it up. But if I was to actually listen to the verbal account of what's going on in my head I think it would help me see where I was wrong and what I needed to change. You can't hide from something that's staring you right in the face.
The problem with life is that we have a way to hide from it. Silence. Maybe we can be our own narrators, showing ourselves where we are wrong. I think it would change the way we see ourselves, others, and the world.
I was riding the tube last night full of joy because I was about to attend a Christian prayer and worship night at ULU. I sat there listening to Sherwood and The Fold on my iPod and could almost hear a voice dictating my feelings and emotions word for word. My mind then wandered to an idea for a short film involving someone who could hear what they were thinking and feeling, and how that would affect the way they acted and responded to things. Can you imagine how much of an attitude adjustment would take place when you were being told exactly what your attitude was? I think at first it would be quite annoying, since human nature is to deny it and cover it up. But if I was to actually listen to the verbal account of what's going on in my head I think it would help me see where I was wrong and what I needed to change. You can't hide from something that's staring you right in the face.
The problem with life is that we have a way to hide from it. Silence. Maybe we can be our own narrators, showing ourselves where we are wrong. I think it would change the way we see ourselves, others, and the world.
Thursday 2 October 2008
Our Own British Confidant
Out on the street our group, made up of Steven, Gabby, and myself, met up with a young British man named Luke who gave us an interesting take on the British value system. He gave us an initial disclaimer that he was not like the typical British people, mostly because of his strong Christian faith and the way he was raised. He did, however, have strong thoughts about the way the good people of London feel about their personality preference, specifically the idea of doing, and their short-term versus long-term thinking.
Contrary to the American mindset, Britans don't focus on how much a person can produce and what they can achieve or attain. They feel like you can determine who you are based on your thoughts and attitudes. It's not a requirement to be at the top of your class or be the highest-producing employee in the company, it's a possibility.
Luke also told us that there isn't really a single opinion about short-term or long-term thinking. Everyone is different. Personally he is very short-term, only thinking about what's happening now. But he said many of his friends have their lives completely planned out. It all depends on who you talk to.
The one thing Luke told us, however, was that a lot of it is changing. London is becoming more "Americanized" and there is a shift in thinking in a wide range of aspects. More focus is put on doing and producing than before, and everything is becoming more fast-paced in general.
All in all, it seems that London is a very diverse culture of it's own. It's very hard to determine exactly what is valuable to everyone as a group without polling a large number of people. I think America is very much the same way, although maybe we "adopt" values just to fit in to the culture we've created. I think it would be good for our nation as a whole to stick to what's important to them and stand by their values, no matter what the culture tries to tell them. We might find that we're a lot more unified than we thought we were.
Contrary to the American mindset, Britans don't focus on how much a person can produce and what they can achieve or attain. They feel like you can determine who you are based on your thoughts and attitudes. It's not a requirement to be at the top of your class or be the highest-producing employee in the company, it's a possibility.
Luke also told us that there isn't really a single opinion about short-term or long-term thinking. Everyone is different. Personally he is very short-term, only thinking about what's happening now. But he said many of his friends have their lives completely planned out. It all depends on who you talk to.
The one thing Luke told us, however, was that a lot of it is changing. London is becoming more "Americanized" and there is a shift in thinking in a wide range of aspects. More focus is put on doing and producing than before, and everything is becoming more fast-paced in general.
All in all, it seems that London is a very diverse culture of it's own. It's very hard to determine exactly what is valuable to everyone as a group without polling a large number of people. I think America is very much the same way, although maybe we "adopt" values just to fit in to the culture we've created. I think it would be good for our nation as a whole to stick to what's important to them and stand by their values, no matter what the culture tries to tell them. We might find that we're a lot more unified than we thought we were.
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