INTERSECTIONALITY!

Not Far Enough

As I look back on my experiences in education with the Lens that I have developed I analyze attempts in my education to explain these varied topics.

Possibly the only instances that I can remmber... "Social Studies" and "Geography"...

How do you deconstruct culture and reconstruct a scenario so that you can better interact in scenario?

Developing a background in cultural instances through Literature, Film and Fiction.

Protagonist struggle through...

Individual vs Individuation

The reader must understand...

Empathy of context vs empathizing a scenario.

Disappointment that through the interview with friend from high school, I knew verry little about the incorporation of culture with such a rich group of individuals around me.

Classes and Schools do not take advantage of this proximity...

A Deeper Look

Why even study this intersection of culture and communications?

For me studying the intersection of culture and communications has helped in multiple aspects of research and class.

For example West African Film and Fiction has been a key class that highlights the disparity in communications among differing cultures  Whether the protagonist of the film or novel travels abroad or a foreigner struggles to fit into the dynamic diaspora, they must overcome their differences in cultural background to make it successfully through the society


The experience of understanding the foundational aspect of culture, a group of individuals that work towards a common goal. In this venture to accomplish the shared goal, individuals of a community establish a set of beliefs and values that ultimately guide their actions.

With this definition it is understandable why there are so many "cultures". Whether they be sub genres or categorically large - as they are based often on religions or location, these "cultures" differ and are alike in many ways.

Ultimately, the one of the best and earliest plans to promote an understanding of cultural differences is to incorporate the study of cultural film and literature as part of primary education.

Incorporating Intercultural studies and lessons through Film and Literature.

Though it is imperative to build a generation of individuals that understand the importance of culture through travel and cultural activities  essentially the monetary concerns of these programs often inhibits students from these experiences. Thus, adding cultural film (no necessarily the films above) to the curriculum of students in college and high school levels will increase the individuals global awareness.

Looking back on my experiences...

Clark Atlanta Art Galleries

Clark Atlanta Exhibition

The art galleries at Clark Atlanta were very interesting. Allowing me to use the lens that I have developed thus far. My favorite part of the tour was the expansive panles along the walls which though physically separated represented the collective nature of history and culture of African art and Black artist.

The "Art of the Negro" murals were painted consist of six canvas panels they specifically images of black Americans' cultural past. Referring to his motive for painting the murals,  The sixth panel illustrates the "Muses". The tour tells us that these panels symbolize the involuntary marriage of African and European cultures. This image directly realtes to the model about incorporation of different cultures. Visually the audience can see how the forceful nature of incorporation.

Visual Aids

Communications Model

This model demonstrates the process a message must go through from person to person. This model is affective towards developing a lens because it demonstrates how a message can me misinterpreted and the process all messages must be decoded through. In the realm of intercultural communications many more factors are placed in this diagram. Where certain aspects of culture determine how the message is received.

Specifically this model is important to developing my lens because when understanding this sequence I know how to send a message or idea to someone and stop at certain checkpoints to make sure that my message has been completely received and how to check myself along the way.

This also reflects on the fact that in the business world many factors such as dress, behavior demenor portray certain symbols and types of noise which can change the way the message is recieved as well as promote certain stereotypes which exacerbate the issue of noise and the problem with sending a "clear message."

Self Centered vs Other -Centered

This specific model demonstrates how a person can incorporate or even deny acceptance of a persons culture. Illustrating the extremes of being either self-centered where the individual is denying any difference in culture or becoming defensive about change or the opposite incorporating the other cultures into their actions and life.

This model demonstrates how certain people perceive interactions with culture. This is an interesting tool in developing the intercultural lens because is allows the individual to asses how they have reacted towards a specific encounter with culture. 

Article - Reassessment of IVC

Using Individualism and Collectivism to compare Cultures -- a critique of the validity and measurement of the constructs: Comment on Oyserman et al. (2002)

The article assesses the validity of the study of collectivisms vs individualism.

Identifying the limitations of research on individualism and collectivism, the author looks at how often nations are looked at as cultures. This is both important to understanding misconceptions of culture as well as developing my lens so that I can fully assess the culture of a person rather than their country, which though they are connected are different.

This makes me reflect on my assumptions of culture in terms of an entire country. Often many people, including myself, have assumed that because someone is from a specific place they ascribe to a certain culture and ultimately beliefs. However this is what the article fights, noting that the individual does have some function in the make up of their beliefs values and behaviors as well as society (collective) and ultimately focuses om the notion of autonomy.

Intercultural Communications for Business and Stereotypes

The article on intercultural communications for business demonstrates the importance of understanding differences in cultures and symbols as they can change the very message you are sending.

Defining perception as a "cognitive process in which we attach meaning to objects, symbols  people, and behavior in order to make sense of them" the article went into detail about how people misconceive many Japanese customs as they are not "normal" to many of the American Business practices.

Going into detail about the process of receiving messages and stimuli through cognative processes in which we stimultaneously attach meaning, demonstrates both the process of understanding a message as well as how people can actually misinterpret a clear message.

Specifically this is important in developing my active lens because it demonstrates how to affectively asess the way a culture interprets certain signs such as bowing. In the past I have been informed of many Japanese cultures that look to the many examples used in the article, however when show the film of funerals and wedding ceremonies of African cultures I was completely perplexed. Yet I was able to step back with my lens and actively look at the intricacies of things that would seem outlandish to me.

Stereotypes and First Impressions

Stereotypes

The discussion in class on sterotypes took an intersting turn as we develd deep into the issue of the volkswagon commercial. Though many people argued that there was an issue of culture, their actual issue was with race. After watching a few spoofs of the commercial it was apparent that the Jamaican's were not offended yet confused as to why they just didnt use actual Jamaicans because they could use the work


Visually the commercials did not seem offensive and it seemed like they took great labor to avoid such issues. But the development of a lens allows me to reassess such issues. Knowing that stereotypes play a role in my perception of others and their perception of me. I should always keep ing mind the importance of stereotypes based on appearance and avoid assuming things about others because of their beliefs values and culture.

Ultimately taking a second to apply my intercultural lens can allow me to look past these sterotypes to see what a person actually offers.

Hofstede

Geert Hofstede

When told about Geert Hofstede and trying to understand the dimensions of national and organizational culture, I looked and felt as confused as the image of Hofstede below. However, understanding this model was another way to develop my lens.

Quoted on the website, Hofstede states, "culture is the collective programming of the mind distinguishing the members of one group or category of people from others"

Though the chart may seem confusing, the explanation of the categories is still salient. 

Dividing aspects of culture into individuals relationship with power, postion of the self in/out groups, societal emphasis on masculinity and avoidance of uncertainty all seem to be aspects that determine one function in a society.

Power Distance (PDI)

Individualism versus Collectivism (IDV)
Masculinity versus Femininity (MAS)
Uncertainty Avoidance (UAI)

Long-Term Orientation (LTO)
Indulgence vs. Restraint (IVR)

However, I find myself asking can these individual concepts be broken down? and how do they relate to the intercultural lens that I have been building on.

Well, these specific categories demonstrate the break down of the individual in the work place setting. Illustrating how one assesses power, position, masculinity  uncertainty and self control. This specifically demonstrates the aspect of beliefs and behavior which are directly related to ones culture because the actions change based on ones relationship with their culture.

This addition to my lens allowed me to assess how my college friends handle stress in school and the structure. My influence of culture, church family and friends, has shown me the importance of power, collectivism as well as individualism in certain times, while placing restraint above most rather than indulgence.

UN Charter

UN Charter - Article 1

One dominant force in the world that seeks to represent the underrepresented, demonstrate and promote the sovereignty of other nations above all else as well as acting as a controlling force for intercultural and international relations, the United Nations acts as as vesel for the rights and relationships of countries and more specifically individual cultures.

This charter is important because it establishes the base for the UN as well as its boundaries. Setting up goals to increase effective international relationships is the basis of intercultural communications. Without effective communication about differing cultures the UN would fall apart because the individuals may receive the intended message or idea incorrectly. Though Intercultural communications is often thought of as a business class or effective in that area, its just as important in this realm as well.

In high school I had the privilege of participating at the Model United Nations event in New York at the actual UN building. While participating in Model UN as well as the specific conference it is mandatory that you not only follow the UN charter but that you uphold the sovereignty of countries and respect the individual cultures and customs of all delegates -- the students instructed to act like their respective countries as much as possible. This example allowed me to use my lens to reflect on how difficult it was to convey the plight of our country because the committee did not understand the values and beliefs of the farmers that were greatly affected by the seemingly great bill that they had agreed up. However, understanding how to speak for the country allowed us the chance to convey the importance of seemingly provincial beliefs to a committee on gun and small arms regulation.

(For the purpose of those that have not seen the Charter --)

1. To maintain international peace and security, and to that end: to take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the peace, and for the suppression of acts of aggression or other breaches of the peace, and to bring about by peaceful means, and in conformity with the principles of justice and international law, adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations which might lead to a breach of the peace;
2. To develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, and to take other appropriate measures to strengthen universal peace;
3. To achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion; and
4. To be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations in the attainment of these common ends.

Cultural Definition

When asked what culture is for an assignment I immediately went to google, quickly typing in "what is culture?" without thinking about previous knowledge or what I have come to understand about culture.

I began searching and came across many definitions, but one stayed with me. Described as "the characteristics of a particular group of people," culture is ultimately "defined by everything from language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts". This definition stayed with me because it captures what I previously knew about culture and illustrates the dynamic nature of culture, encompassing most aspects of society -- if not all.

With this definition and understanding of culture's basic nature I asked myself "what does this all mean and how does this relate to understanding communication between different cultures".

Rhetorically the best way to answer this is to use a narrative tool to illustrate my journey. That tool will be sight, specifically using active verbs and assessing my interactions with a metaphorical lens.

Moreover, this journey will also explore intercultural communications's actual implications and applications, ultimately seeking to understand how people from different countries and cultures behave, communicate, and perceive the world around them.

Finally, developing my Intercultural Lens will allow me to asses past, present, and future interactions. By metaphorically applying my lens to situations before and after so that I can fully understand the intersectionality culture, communication, and society.

Introduction

My name is Adrian Evans, and I am a Senior English Major at Morehouse College in Atlanta Georgia.

This blog will serve as my journal to record experiences in the class and world related to the topic of Intercultural Communications.

Hopefully this journal will help in reflecting on the events in my life as they relate to communication among differing cultures.

I can say that before I even start the assignments, I can recall several unique experiences where I have come in contact with cultural barriers and the experiences of getting passed them.

I hope that you will enjoy this journey into Intercultural Communications with me.

(Im the one in the middle)