- Malcolm Forbes
I have to be quite honest and say that before I came to St. Joseph's University, I lived a life with relatively little cultural diversity surrounding me. I lived with my two Italian parents, (although my mother is half Polish, yet we rarely practice any Polish traditions), and my adopted brother. I guess the closest I came to knowing cultural diversity was having a Columbian brother. All of my friends were either Italian and Irish and we all lived comfortably in the same town area. I went to private Catholic school my entire life. And yes, I do live in that God forsaken borough so wonderfully depicted by MTV's Jersey Shore cast and True Life: Staten Island. I could easily argue against the terrible description that these degrading shows have on Staten Island and how everyone there is not quite like "The Situation" or bitchy Angelina BUT that is for another time.
Anyway, I didn't really experience diversity until I came to college. Not only was going away for college the best decision I made over the past 22 years, it truly got me out of that "bubble" I call home and into a new realm of experiences. I truly realized that everyone, no matter what their background, is different. Everyone has their own opinions and judgements, ways of doing things, and outlooks on life. Culture and ethnicity only enhances these already well developed traits. So, from personal experience, I have lived with a bunch of girls from entirely different backgrounds than myself and I must say, I learned a lot from their cultures (and I didn't really mind the food that my Puerto Rican roommate cooked). I loved hearing my roommate speak Spanish to her parents consistently on the phone as I tried to learn some of the language, didn't mind listening to the stories of my current roommates Italian grandmothers accent (off the boat and way too cute) , and I attempted to learn, and by attempted I mean failed, the differences in African American women's hair (difference between a weave and a wig) that my Sophomore year roommate tried desperately to teach me.
It is actually quite difficult now to go home back to my friends who stayed in Staten Island and truly didn't branch out during their college years. I get made fun of quite often that I have friends outside of the white race, and I get badgered about the "terrible neighborhood full of bad people" in which my school resides in. Its quite pathetic and honestly revolting, but hey- thats Staten Island. Kidding. But not really. I urge everyone to look outside of their little bubbles, and lets face it- we still have a lot more life to encounter and a few more bubbles to pop- and quit judging people based on race and culture and religion. It won't get you anywhere in your personal or professional life.
OH AND DEAR MTV- PLEASE STOP MAKING THESE TERRIBLE SHOWS THAT FALSELY MAKE CERTAIN PLACES OF THE WONDERFUL NEW YORK - AND NEW JERSEY- LOOK LIKE CRAP. THANKS
THREE DIFFERENT GIRLS, THREE DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS
--> GREAT FRIENDS
WELL I MEAN, THERE IS NOT MUCH CULTURAL DIFFERENCE IN THIS ONE- BUT STILL CUTE =)
ALL DIFFERENT SHADES OF BEAUTY
I like your advice: "I urge everyone to look outside of their little bubbles, and lets face it- we still have a lot more life to encounter and a few more bubbles to pop- and quit judging people based on race and culture and religion."
ReplyDeleteWhen watching the Wade Davis TED talk in class, I found myself subconsciously laughing at the idea of a boy dressed as a girl climbing mountain peak after mountain peak and at the notion of 18 years living in a cave until one is fit to be a priest. Because these ideas are so foreign to me, they seem silly. However, I must realize that our culture's rituals of Christmas trees and sending valentines must seem pretty strange as well.
Hey Vanessa- I really LOVE your diversity page. and thanks for putting me on it!!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny to look at your diversity page, because a) I am on it and b) I live with you and realize that although our friends may be diverse, this apartment screams Italian. Although you did make rice the other night, 99% of the time we are cooking Italian food. Although I do believe that I am a diverse person, when I cook, I tend to stick to my roots. ANNNNNND- so do YOU!
You are lucky to have had an array of diverse roommates, and I think it has made you the WELL-Rounded, beautiful person that you are. We have collectively brought a lot of diversity to each other's lives and we will continue to!
I can relate to you, because I come from a background with little diversity (although I'm from a small town) and coming to college has opened up my eyes to some things. Also, I loved how you formatted your post with different colors to emphasize the diversity theme!
ReplyDelete