My Family Culture
Black American families have so many values, beliefs and ways of doing things within their culture. Most families within this culture are so close that if a major catastrophe was to take over the country, I am sure that this would be very devastating for me especially of having to leave my family members. On top of having to leave my family, I am told that I could only take one change of clothing, and three items that I hold dear and that represent my family culture. It would be so hard just to choose three items, but they would be My family album which contains all of the happy times together, My Bible, which will help me to keep my faith, and a blanket, which means so much to me.
A description of the three items I would choose
The first item, my family album. In black families there is a strong family and kinship bond. We also have a very supportive system in which we try to help each other through the good and bad times in life. Taking this item with me will help in maintaining this support through this terrible ordeal . My bible which I hold so dear and it is the one piece of reliable source that I feel will help me to get through the times of missing my family. The last item is a red and green blanket that was given to me. The smell of my family will help in keeping me with that special touch and feeling that they are there with me in spirit, but not in body.
How would I explain to others what each of these items mean to me.
I would explain that these items are very special to me, because having these items will help to make it through these times of being away from my family. The family album will keep my memory intact of those who are so dear and mean so much to me. It would represent an amazing testament of my family history from generation to generation. The things we did together, our behaviors, our beliefs, and our values that were part of our culture is represented ( Louise Dermman-Sparks,2011).
My Bible, which contains all births and dates of special events. We have a strong religious orientation, and we also as a culture believe that our faith is what keeps us strong through hard and trying times.
My green and red blanket, is a very special piece. It has been in my family for 20 years. It was given to me by a special friend. Every member of my family has in some sort of way used it to cover themselves when they visit. This blanket is a security piece for me, to keep me warm and familiar with all of my family, through the smell and touch of having it with me.
My feelings if, upon arrival, I was told that I could only keep one personal item and give up the other two items.
WOW! This would have a very devastating effect. But I also have to keep in mind of others feelings as well. I would have to keep those items that I leave behind as part of memory and still find a way to keep them near and dear to my heart. But, I would have to keep my Bible. As I stated black families as a part of tradition, and beliefs, have a strong religious orientation. Also my Bible contains a lot of memories that are written down from special events and happy times. I feel this would help me to stay strong until I can get back to my family.
Any insights, I gained about my self, my family culture, and/or cultural differences in general, as a result of this exercise
In different cultures different groups hold on to different things because of their cultural backgrounds. This exercise has been some what of an eye opener for me, What if this really happens in society? How can I deal with this type of situation? We have to be aware of and respect for differences in others as well as a respect for their cultures; having a understanding of their values, beliefs, traditions, norms is an important component of this understanding. However, when it comes to who we are as a family and how we define family there are many forms in each culture, family members are bound by ties of blood, marriage, adoption, or by any sexually expressive relationship (Harris, 2008). They may live together or not, the important point is when that bond is broken by any means, it will leave a profound effect.
Resources
Laureate Education (2011). " Family Cultures: Dynamic Interactions"
Harris, S.R. ( 2008). What is Family Diversity? Objective and Interpretive
Approaches. Journal of Family Issues. Retrieved from http://jfi.sagepub.com/
This was hard for me to answer but it really got me to thinking about what would I take if this really happen. The first thing I thought of was my bible as well. My faith means so much to me and my family and I know that I will need the bible to read and study through such a devastating time. This assignment really got me to thinking about my family cultures and what values and things we hold near and dear to our heart.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that my post is very similar to yours. I found that my memories of family, beliefs and values are the things that I would want to take with me rather than the stuff so I had a hard time deciding what to take.
ReplyDeleteLinda,
ReplyDeleteLoved reading your post this week, reminds me of my culture too! we value family and beliefs with our own type of get togethers to celebrate our joy and come together to pay respect in time of sorrow. We also love food and it is always in abundance at gatherings. I appreciate how you put respecting norms of other cultures, because in the end we all come different cultures and the norms attached are often not respected or valued in one's opinion of what they do not understand. I have a profound love for my faith in the bible yet I walk in a dual society, that of my People and the one I have with my Lord. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Linda,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing Linda. It would appear that even tho we are from different backgrounds and grew up in separate parts of the world, we share God. I too agree that he is the only definite in my life. You are correct that we all have different values, beliefs, and traditions, and the insight I learned this week was the fact that the sum of all the different identities make up a family and the interactions between the members make up the family culture and changes the members of the family.
Annie P.