During class we briefly talked about Puerto-Rican culture in the US in comparison to Puerto-Rican culture in Puerto Rico. I think this subject is very important for us to explore as many of you along with myself may think you know what Puerto Rican culture looks like, the food, the people, and even the attitude of Puerto Rican culture. Not to say that our experiences with Puerto Rican culture here in the U.S. will be irreverent or unusefull in Puerto Rico as we study and serve there. However my point is we must think outside of the box of what Puerto Rican culture should look like. One example is when most of us think of a Puerto Rican we may think caramel complexion, wavy hair, and exotic facial feature, but in parts of Puerto Rico there is a strong African decent, so the people and the culture of that region would be more afro- centric. In other parts of the country there is a strong European roots and other Parts are centered in native Indian roots.
I think the best way to approach the course is ready to unlearn something s to be able grasp new information and insights about the Caribbean, also as this will be a cross-cultural experience for many of us so we should approach the as leaner’s or sponges ready to soak up and absorb the culture.
You can answer any of these questions in you blog response or anything that comes to mind as you read.
· What are some things you think you know about Puerto Rican Culture?
· How do you view Puerto Rican and the culture?
· What some prejudice if any you have about the culture?
· Do you have any concerns about being in a different culture?
· What part of the culture are you the most looking forward to?
· What do you think some similarities are between your culture (not necessarily American culture) and the culture there?
· Do you think you are a good cross –cultural communicator?
· Talk about a funny, interesting, or memorable cross -cultural experience you have had?
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ReplyDeleteI liked the way yo pointed out that we cannot take what we think we know about the Puerto rican people and their country but go with an open mind ready to learn and see new things. Good points.
ReplyDeleteWhitney you are right about the different ethnic cultures in puerto rico. When we were in puerto rico i seen many dark skin puerto ricans. i even saw a puerto rican darker then me.
ReplyDeleteSolomom Murray
after visiting Puerto Rico i look that Puerto Rican culture differently after seeing how they lived in their country i see how they try to keep their culture alive while living in the united states, and i respect them for that,\.
ReplyDeleteBefore i visited Puerto Rico, I thought I had the whole culture figured out. I thought the basic way to tell the difference in the culture, depending on where you are, all evolved around the cuisine. Puerto Rican's ate sweet foods and Mexican's ate spicy-hot foods. Later on I learned to look past that stereotype. Once I widened my perspectives, I learned that I am a claim. I prefer to stick with my own culture. Yet, when cross examined, I have many friends from various cultures. BUT,I never interact w/t the families. As I was there, I learned that we are not that much different. Our school systems both operate from 8am-3pm, they have the same stores there we have here, and the respect family before all, just as we. After leaving the island, i do feel that I grew so much for it to be a noticeable change for the better. And for that experience i have my family, friends, a school for that.
ReplyDelete-Tonne Williams 2009