Hello Class,
Welcome to our class blog. We are going to spend time discussing the
book, talking about our lives, and voicing our ideas here in written
form.
For your first blog post, I want you to think about what culture you
belong to, and describe your connection to it, focusing on how you
participate in this culture. In The Fortune Cookie Chronicles, Jennifer
8. Lee talks about her connection to Chinese American culture. Is
culture something that you are born into, or choose? We may be part of
many different cultures. Do you feel connected with the student
culture? A certain art culture? Skateboarding culture? Yoga culture?
How so? How ingrained, important, or influential is this one culture to you?
Take some time to share what culture you find yourself playing in a role
in. Describe it fully. Remember that many of your classmates may not
know what this culture is like. Explain about it from your
prospective.
Your entry should be three or more paragraphs.
My culture is based on dance an family. So it's open to everybody. Family is not just blood but who you can connect with.
ReplyDeleteI agree i think music is the same way. it doesn't matter if your related, just if the vibe is right then that's family itself.
DeleteCulture was always a funny word to me.I've been apart of a lot of culutres as far as music goes.Jazz, hi-hop, rock, electronic, r&b, the list goes on. so i guess i can say that I'm part of the music culture in general. I like to feel that i enjoy all types of music and support them by listening and appreciate the music for what it is.
ReplyDeleteMy culture falls around family and loyalty. With loyalty and trust there's nothing. My mother raised me to be very independent and trustworthy. To tell you the truth I'm probably the perfect friend for anyone. If you are my true I will take a bullet for and take the fault for you. It all depends if you're the same way. Being honest and loyal to people has made me the person I am today.
ReplyDeleteI'm apart of many cultures but i'll just name a few that means the most to me. Religious culture, fashion culture, music and entertainment culture.
ReplyDeleteThese cultures pretty much influence everything I do on a daily bases. The way I act, talk, feel, think, understand and dress; these cultures are just my way of life.
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ReplyDeleteMy culture is based on Music. I Grew up in a family where everyone sung or played a instrument. I've been playing piano/organ since 6garde. music is everything to me. music allows me to freely express myself.
ReplyDeleteI really have no one partially culture. I just love to try everything, so my culture could be dancing,singing,yoga and drawing even though i am really not that good at it but i love it. I feel like that everyone's culture because people love to try different things I know I do I never stick to one things I love it all. I want to be the person that know a little bit of everything I think that the way culture.
ReplyDeleteI would have to definitely say that film and music are my two cultures. I've been in music all of my life and I've always loved film. Music was always a way for me to escape. I love listening to old school rock lyrics there the best! It allows me to express who I am and be free. I also belong to the film culture because film has always told me a story and I've always been able tell my stories and make them into films. I know that we were suppose to choose one but these two cultures have allowed me to express who I am, and thats what I think culture is. Its a way of life and a way to express yourself!
ReplyDeletei was born into a culture of art. I express myself through fashion,music,song,dance, and my artwork.My sense of fashion style expresses who i am as a person and what i want to do in this world. we are all born into a certain ethnic culture but i believe that the culture we choose to put in our lives builds our structure. Everyone is unique in there own ways and i think thats why most of us picked columbia so we can show off what we have to offer. At the end of our journey here i think we will have built ourselves up as very creative people.
ReplyDeleteWhen Jennifer 8 Lee was talking about culture and how it can confuse people. How you grow up to live one way but when you explore more about it, you find out that maybe this isn’t right for you, that you could be into something totally different.
ReplyDeleteThe way I see it in my eyes is that everyone can choose to what kind of culture they can be. For me, culture is a confusing thing to the person who u want to be. Almost everybody in there lives have trouble of finding out who you really are. Like are you gay or straight, are you emo or Goth, are you artistic or a scientist. For me, growing up I had to find out which culture I really belonged in. with me being deaf and growing up in the hearing world. It’s kind of confusing for me because I don’t know what kind of culture I’m in; I mean am I in the hearing world or in the deaf world. In fact I’m still struggling to try to figure out in which world I belong in. but what I do know is that my culture is dreams. Just dreaming. I write down my dreams and make them into stories, and/or write screenplays based on my dreams. I can act them out or just write it. If I go a week without writing, I think that I'm gonna go crazy cause writing to me is like my outlet to life, just venting my emotions and that finally controlling of what's going on with my life.
~wrting4life.
I come from the Young Adult Culture and generation. I’ve grown up around the change, positives and negatives. Unfortunately, my culture is desensitized to things that have been deemed unmoral such as, sex and drugs. We are always looking for the next big thing, the next big rush or high. The media is constantly involved in our lives, and the real communication is gone. The media in today’s world has taken over how we act, and how we treat each other. For example; girls are a lot more un-respectful about their bodies, and throw themselves at guys because they believe that is what true love is. Television shows and music videos right now show a lot of sexual encouragement, and to the younger eye that’s what they believe life is all about. My culture is twisted, and is losing humanity. My culture is not all bad, but we have freedom. The freedom to be who we are, and stand up for what we believe in. It’s become stronger over the years, and now we are fighting to have Gay marriage in all 50 states. We have succeeded with some, but we are still fighting for equality and that is what I’m proud of. I’m happy to be apart of such an engaging and ‘stand up for your rights’ country. My culture is about being your own person, and having your own style. Putting different clothes together and making it work. No one can be better then you, than yourself. I don’t care what people think about what I wear, it’s who I am and my individuality. My culture is all about the music scene, everyday I am I hearing new genres and new styles of music. I accept it and so does the young adult culture. People wanting to connect, and still wanting to be distinctive (only making what’s theirs). This is my culture, and that is what I am surrounded by everyday.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI believe that we are born or predisposed into a certain type of culture but once we grow up, we become more aware of other cultures and ideas and then we choose what culture we belong to. My culture surrounds around family, friends, art and religion and that is something I chose for myself. As part of our growth, I believe we choose the culture or cultures we seem more comfortable or just simply like more.
DeleteWhen I was little; I was raised in a very christian home and I had to fallow that religion because my parents practice it and I was in a way I guess imposed to the same I guess. However later on once I was able to make my own decisions I chose to continue fallowing god and sticking with the christian religion.
Although culture is something that we are born into, I strongly believe that one should be able to choose an specific culture/cultures. Moving to the United states definitely open up my mind into a whole of bunch of other cultures. I mean in Honduras there are many different cultures, regions, beliefs...etc However its a very small town and people I think are more close minded than in a big city.
I was raised in a very independent and loyal culture. My mom raised me and my siblings to be very trustworthy and loyal people. One personality trait that I look for in a friendship is loyalty. I need to know if my friends has my back at all times. You don't have to worry about that with me. My word is my bond.
ReplyDeleteI remember there was this one particular time in high school where my true loyalty to my friends really showed. I was on the tennis team and we were going against Jackson. We went to our competition and everyone won their matches. After coming back from a great win, we were all excited and ready to celebrate. Some of teammates and also best friends brought alcohol on the trip. We all gathered on the bus and started secretly drinking. Now, me, I wasn't because I knew with my luck I would get caught so kept look out, making sure the the bus driver and our coach. All of my friends were drinking an gradually getting drunker by the minute, then our coach turned around and announced that we were stopping by Pizza Hut for dinner. We pulled into the parking lot with a bus full of drunk high school tennis players, our coach having no idea. My friends started to get nervous and paranoid. They were scared that the bus driver would go back to the bus find the evidence. So me, being a good friends that I am I went back to the bus and disposed of all the beer cans and bottles. I hoped and prayed that the beer wouldn't spill on me. That's just what I needed, a jersey reeking of beer. I panicked and didn't know where to put the cans, so I placed behind the bus under the back tires. Thinking to myself, “Oh, no one will find them there,” but oh how I was wrong.
When we returned to the bus, we all sat down and then our coach stood up and turned around and said, “Well, everyone we have a situation on our hands,” I already knew what she was talking about, “the bus driver found beer cans on behind the bus. Does anyone want to admit to it?” No one answered, we were all silent, scared with fear. “Oh, don't worry the camera would caught everything on tape.” the bus driver said. When I heard that my stomach felt like I was the one drinking to much.
The next couple days at school I was very nervous and paranoid, but nothing happened. I waited for that intercom to come on and call my name to the office but nothing came. The third day I came to school with no worries. I thought to myself if they haven't caught me taking those cans off the bus by now then they wouldn't at all but oh how I was wrong again. I was in fourth block when they called my name, and already knew what it was about. “I'm done, I'm going down,” I thought to myself. I walked into the principals office tasting my own sweat that was dripping down my forehead to my lips. He then told me that he knew in wasn't drinking on the bus but he knows that I took the cans off the bus for my teammates. He asked me who they were and who was drinking on the bus that night. I shook my head and told me that I was sorry and that those people were friends and that I would never snitch or tell on them. He kept on constantly asking me over and over again who was but I stayed true and loyal to my friends and didn't say a word. He then threatened me that I could be expelled if I didn't tell who but I knew he couldn't do that, so I kept to my story and gave no names. He then told me I was free to go. I told my friends what happened. They were amazed in what I had done and how loyal I was to them. Now, some people might cracked and gave up the names in a count of fear but that's just the type of person I am. I would take bullet for my friends and family and I'm dedicated to them. Bottom line is, I know that my friends and family would do the same for me.
My Music Culture experience
ReplyDeleteMy mom came home one day and she was all excited, and I look at her like she’s nuts and I ask “ what has gotten you so happy”. She walks over to me and she pulls out Prince tickets and she screams “I got Prince tickets”. So I start jumping up and down because I love Prince he’s one of my favorite rock artist.
Then my mom says “we go this Sunday”. Even though it was a school night she knew how much I liked Prince. So the entire week all I could think about was the Prince concert, I wouldn’t even hangout with my friends. Then finally Sunday came and I was hyped up and ready to go. I opened up my closet and went to work on finding an outfit. Then I finally found the right combo. My really nice black pants and my brand new shirt that I brought from Torrid. “Are you ready honey” my mom yells, and I yell “absolutely”.
So I go down and put on my shoes and my mom and I head to the car. The whole ride me and my mom blasted Prince CD’s. When we finally arrived at the arena it was packed and it took us forever to park, but once we did me and my mom headed to the arena. We walked through the doors with excitement and we run into my God mom. My mom had invited her as a surprise for me. We all head to the arena for the concert and we had to wait for a little while, but it was more than worth it. Then the concert finally started and everyone stood up and started to dance and jump around. The arena was packed wall to wall. There were people in seats and in the isles.
His stage was the female and male symbol combined and it was purple (his favorite color). It was three hours of amazing music and the lights were neon it was almost rave like. That night was absolutely amazing and I will never forget it
I grew up in the Chicagoland area where I attended a private school in the Little Italy area. My life was and is continually filled with deaf cultural experiences because I am deaf and in the deaf world. When I was born deaf, my parents started to teach me American Sign Language to communicate with them. I consider American Sign Language as my native language instead of English, because I have used my sign language to communicate with since I was very young. My situation is just like someone who grows up speaking Italian in a family/community that speaks Italian as his or her primary language. They do speak English but mostly outside of the home. Being deaf is not a disability but it is my life. I questioned myself, “Does deafness define exactly who I am?” My answer is no. I do think being deaf is a part of who I am, but it is not the first thing I think of in describing myself. I’m not saying I am not proud of my culture. It does have a lot to do with who I am.
ReplyDeleteI believe that culture is an aspect that you can be born into or choose yourself. For example, you can be born into a certain ethnic culture or you can be born and develop a certain culture of hip-hop. I believe it all depends on your experiences of life that you can develop certain cultures. Also, personally, I do feel connected to the student culture. I am constantly trying to stay involved in events and the next big thing for students.
ReplyDeleteI believe that I am formed to many cultures, however, I am Greek and I feel that is a culture I have always been custom too. I have grown up with Greek family members and have learned more of the culture as I grow. Being Greek is something I believe that I was born into. Being in a Greek culture is very valuable and important aspect to me because every culture has a different way of life. I have family back in Greece and that is something that connects to me today. As I grow up, I learn more about my culture that I am found in and I find more interests in my culture of being Greek. I have found an interest in learning the Greek language as well. Walking into a Greek family dinner, there is a lot of family bonding, and eating. Stepping into a Greek household, you won’t be able to get past a hug. I can always smell the fresh scented Baklava made by my Greek grandma. Greek family dinners are part of my culture of being Greek. It has always been tradition, to all join together at least once a month to eat, and spend time together.
Being Greek is a valued aspect to me. It affects the color of my skin, traditions, certain family members, and it affects my perspectives as well. Greek is an important culture to me.
Mattie White
ReplyDeleteMeg Reilly
ICW
10/3/2013
“These dogs are made for pets. They look good. These are raised for eating”(72). In chapter five, Jennifer Lee went to China and saw how there are so many animals being raised that Americans think of as pets, but in China they were being raised for food.
When I first saw this quote I automatically thought of Africa because in Africa there are so many wild dogs running around. Dogs in Africa were not for eating though. Cats sometimes are eaten. This also made me think of a time when I was in Africa and a dog chased me and bit my leg. My teacher told me a story about her friend visiting China. She travelled to China with her dog and stayed at a hotel. They asked her when she checked in to keep her dog downstairs and she went upstairs alone. When it was time for dinner she came down to the dining room and ordered her meal. She asked for her dog and they pointed to the plate in front of her. They had cooked her dog and served it to her for her meal. I don’t know if this is a true story or an urban legend. The quote I picked from “The Fortune Cookie Chronicles” reminded me of this story my teacher in high school told me.
It is interesting that in a book full of so much information, I was drawn to this small quote that made me think of so many images and stories from my past.
Different cultures have different customs and different tastes. Many countries other than the US are careful not to waste any part of their environment that can be used to survive.
Mattie White
ReplyDeleteMeg Reilly
ICW
10/3/2013
“These dogs are made for pets. They look good. These are raised for eating”(72). In chapter five, Jennifer Lee went to China and saw how there are so many animals being raised that Americans think of as pets, but in China they were being raised for food.
When I first saw this quote I automatically thought of Africa because in Africa there are so many wild dogs running around. Dogs in Africa were not for eating though. Cats sometimes are eaten. This also made me think of a time when I was in Africa and a dog chased me and bit my leg. My teacher told me a story about her friend visiting China. She travelled to China with her dog and stayed at a hotel. They asked her when she checked in to keep her dog downstairs and she went upstairs alone. When it was time for dinner she came down to the dining room and ordered her meal. She asked for her dog and they pointed to the plate in front of her. They had cooked her dog and served it to her for her meal. I don’t know if this is a true story or an urban legend. The quote I picked from “The Fortune Cookie Chronicles” reminded me of this story my teacher in high school told me.
It is interesting that in a book full of so much information, I was drawn to this small quote that made me think of so many images and stories from my past.
Different cultures have different customs and different tastes. Many countries other than the US are careful not to waste any part of their environment that can be used to survive.