Reflections

For the duration of this class I have learned that my reactions to ethnic studies is one where I am on the inside looking out. Not because I am African American but that I have learned to interact with so many different cultures over the years that I have adjusted to the fact that the problems that reside within our country are due to lack of knowledge and understanding.
I find myself to be very lucky to have parents who are from American and Africa because I have a different perspective on how ethnic studies are taught. When people talk about their families and how they carry on traditional I am able to relate to them and I find it hard to understand how people do not want to connect with heir heritage outside of America. I find my ethnicity and my family history to rewarding because I benefit from it in more ways that one. No only can I depend on my family within the states we also have people in other countries who are always willing to help and give us perspective on our issues. The variation in cultures allows me to be more empathetic to other cultures who feel outcasted in American society. Being that my father has experienced being oppressed and fought for freedom back in Africa he is able to relates to people flee to America for refuge in order to find a chance and opportunity. I have begun to appreciate the variety of cultures that America has to offer and I think that more people should do so.
Based on my culture and environment I have come to realized that I have a special lifestyle in regards to how many family functions around the community and how we are perceived to other African Americans. Being that I am the daughter of a first generation immigrant from Ghana, I find my perspective on culture and race to be diverse. Based on my families background and willingness to be educated in race I believe that my family is more accepting to other cultures than most families who live in my neighborhood. We find it easy to tell where a person's family originated by name, accent, and dialogue. We are careful not to offend anyone when we talk about race because we understand what it is like to marginalized and singled out. At the same time my mother's side of the family aren't as accepting, this is not to say that they are racist but their thought perception of culture is distorted. They are diverse in the ideal that they are not ambiguous to the other culture s and have no problem talking to other races; they have experienced racism and discrimination first hand in America verses my father's family. Being that my ancestors on my mother s side are so scattered in organization, I found it easier to choose my father for the family project. It did however spark my interest in my mother's family and I was able to trace my history back for my grandmother. Surprisingly records and files in the census archives traced her race to be Philippine, Irish and African American. Her father was a salve owner in New Orleans Louisiana and to this day no one knows her full history. After receiving the knowledge of this I realized how much my grandmother never bothered with the issue of race. Never once did she speak about difference and similarities and what it mean to be "black" she simply lived her life and was courteous to everyone she met. As a result I made a pact as a mother to raised my daughter to be as diverse as possible. I do want my child to experience the same complex issues of racism as I have. Currently I try to have my family introduce her to traditions and the language of my father’s company at an early age so that she will understand that she ahs a colorful background to be proud of. In conclusion I believe that if more people would take classes such as this and immerse themselves in the problem and research and investigate what other people notice and live with everyday America would have a different perspective on race. Race isn't the easiest subject in my opinion and in fact is the hardest thing to talk about and understand without questioning your own basis of your own ideals. I have learned that I base my success and morals on my culture taught by may family, being an African America woman, and a single mother. I think that overtime people and educational institutions will get better at tackling the issue of race and making sure more children are taught diversity and not the bias history that in present in books now.