So, what did you think?
Tried to add this to a comment after Joanna's but I couldn't paste the link in.
Go here to find out what Luma was able to do with the support that came after the exposure she got from the New York Times pieces written by Warren St. John, the author of this book. . . . Just as with Farmer's work, media exposure is very important to being able to implement change in a bigger way. . .
I very much enjoyed this reading. It was very interesting to see how the author's point of view changed from the beginning to the end of the excerpts. In the beginning, Warren St. John mentioned statistics put forth by a Harvard political scientist Robert Putnam. “Inhabitants of diverse communities tend to withdraw from collective life…to distrust their neighbors, regardless of the color of their skin, to withdraw even from close friends…” Yet as the reading developed, it became very clear that Warren St. John believes people can, should, and do, “embrace change”. In fact, “super-diversity” is good for Americans, communities, and the United States.
ReplyDeleteThe embrace of a “super-diversity” was best exemplified by Bill Mehlinger. He was able to use the diversity to his advantage by catering to the needs of each culture. In this way, his ability to adapt was financially vital.
I was particularly touched by Luma’s soccer story. It is amazing that her team could overcome language barriers, economic hardship, and cultural diversity to make a winning team. What Luma did for the participants was life changing. I can’t even imagine what those children went through. I was shocked at the hostility the “Fuges” encountered. I don’t understand how people can be that cruel, especially to children in such dire circumstances. Her story made me what to volunteer more. It also made me question my preconceived prejustices. I really don’t know what people go though until I get to know them. I didn’t quite realize it, but I really do have a privileged life. For this reason, I really have no right to judge anyone.
In Outcasts United, the author mentions Jeremy Cole, a volunteer in Clarkston, who sees the lives of the refugees on a deeper level. He is impressed by them and through his work, hopes to achieve just a little of the raw zeal for life that they possess. According to Cole, “You have to remember that you’re being given a lot more than you’re giving”. (qtd. in St. John p. 220) Many of the people he works with, although coping with tragic histories and problems adjusting to their new lives, have an unrentless amount of determination and optimism. It is as if all they have gone through has made them, in some ways, better people because they have learned what is truly important in life. America is composed of a consumer society where people put a lot of worth on material wealth. The refugees, Cole noticed, are content to be away from the horrors they escaped and be with their loved ones. They place value where value should be. As long as they have their families, nothing else really matters and they are even willing to work in terrible conditions (like night shifts at processing plants). Despite their meager possessions and, by American standards, poor living conditions, the refugees of Clarkston have a better appreciation of what our country stands for than most Americans. They realize how precious it is to have freedom and not fear persecution and be able to think about the future and not just live one day at a time. Many Americans lives for granted. By working with the refugees, Cole was able to realize just how good a life he has had. The refugees opened his eyes to a new world and a new way of perceiving life. Through service-learning, I am learning just like Cole. The youth I work with come from different backgrounds. They have been raised very differently from me. They have had to become independent at an earlier age and are not naïve to the unpleasantness of life and the harsh realities that can turn optimists into pessimists. Even though they may act up in class and may seem to lag in their studies, they continue to show up to school every day. They at least try. This adds a much rawer, realistic quality to their lives that mine sometimes lacks.
ReplyDeleteOutcasts United was a jumble of stories that reflected both the refugee's and current residents reactions toward the change of Charleston- a once all-white, traditional neighborhood becoming a melting pot of every culture and of every language. I was able to understand the feelings of harassment that the refugees felt and the reasons of resentment from Charleston residents.
ReplyDeleteThe part that invoked my own thoughts was on Page 185, when it spoke of the researcher Vertovec. His last step in building connections in a super-diverse community was: "mutual differentiation." This idea was that we didn't have to belong in certain groups, but we must respect each other. He went on to talk about how large cities have already adapted to the super-diverse community and consider it normal. I feel like this is the case for me. I expect diversity and differences because that is the community I grew up in. It's not at all strange or uncomfortable for me.
I think this is just a show of how far we've come as a country and as people. We have learned to accept other cultures and ethnicities and to look past that and focus on the human being. There are many laws against harassment and many protections for those who are "different." As generations pass, we become more and more open and headed toward equality. I really do believe this. From refugees, immigrants, handicapped, LGBT community. We are adapting to fit everyone's needs. Many ethnic stores, churches, schools are popping up everywhere. Schools, like MCCS, for students with special needs, ESL classes, foreign languages taught in schools. We are accepting this diverse mix and spin of different cultures as OUR culture. On any given night we can eat at a vietnamese, filipino, american, cajun, indian, mexican, italian restaurant. We have learned to adapt and accept.
Concerning MCCS, I understand that many of the students are immigrants or involved in serious problems. I am reminded of the soccer player, Mandela, who was having such a rough time especially with the death of his bestfriend (I think it was his bestfriend?) He was angry at the world and his behavior showed it. Many students in MCCS have conflicting problems that result in bad behavior. Luma acknowledged this, but demanded respect. In one of the classes that I tutor, a student would always cuss out/disrespect/be rude to the teacher. However, the teacher would just ignore the remark and act as if nothing has ever been said. I think this teacher should demand respect. It is okay to have problems in your own life and to have difficulties, but I believe that everyone should still respect others. No matter the situation. Being allowed to say whatever he desires, this student continues everyday to harass and disrespect the teacher in front of the entire class. I commend Luma for her participation in the lives of these children, not only does she teach soccer but life lessons-- the best of these as being respect, hardwork and trust.
I thought that Outcast United was very interesting because it showed so many different views and perspectives that are commonly hidden about refugee integration. The variety of stories allow for a greater understanding of the circumstances that took place. I personally liked the accounts of the soccer team and the store the most.
ReplyDeleteWhile reading these chapters a noticed a correlation between the attempts made by individuals to create a community with the refugees and service learning. As stated on pages 220 and 221, “you have to remember that you’re being given a lot more than you’re giving…because the refugees give you something in return-an understanding of international cultures, of generosity.” This is the same basic principle in service learning, that you learn while you teach or receive while you give.
An important idea that is expressed during the story of the soccer practices strict rules, particularly the discussion of the girl’s team, is the importance of self reliance. I fully agree with the idea that if one is raised in a pampered household they do not learn self-reliance, discipline, and responsibility for their actions. I believe that this is a great lesson that is attempted to be taught to the soccer players, even though some of the methods seemed too extreme.
The last piece that I think is of large importance was a question asked during the last few chapters. On page 223 the question is asked of “what are the conditions that lead to larger portions of society being generous, humble, and selfless?” Every action that is done has some reasoning behind it; the question is what the conditions are that lead to selfless and generous actions?
Thanks for the lift all of you whom have posted thus far! I am in Indiana and conferenced out, and thankfully my presentation is over and I am coming home tomorrow! But it was so wonderful to check in with you and read your comments--wow! You have all made such important comments and your insights are powerful. I am very moved--okay, so I'm especially emotive when I'm tired and I am an insomniac in hotel rooms--I'm glad that you all appreciated this piece and got so much out of it. See you next week!
ReplyDeleteJ
I found this reading to be very interesting and informative. One of the many things that stuck out for me was on page 175 when the owner of Thriftown says, "If you don't change, you're gone." This is in his talking about how he had to change his stock to meet the wants and needs of all the refugee customers who frequented the store. Yet, I really think this is so important to the larger topic and to life in general. Being able to change and accept change is so important in one's ability to be an open person who is fully able to live and experience life. Being resistant or unwilling to change keeps people from growing, expanding, and being affected by all that is around you. In the case of refugees, being resistant to their presence is preventing the community from embracing the amazing diversity that exists there and losing the amazing opportunity to experience different cultures and people.
ReplyDeleteI also really loved the quote that Jessica already mentioned: "on pages 220 and 221, “you have to remember that you’re being given a lot more than you’re giving…because the refugees give you something in return-an understanding of international cultures, of generosity.” It is truly so applicable to service learning. Even just doing office work and helping out around the ballet school, I'm learning valuable skills and tasks that I'm more likely than not going to have to use again someday. We are all gaining so much from out experience, as well as learning the value of giving. This whole idea of giving and getting in return also brought to mind something that Alonzo talked about in our ballet class today. He was saying that when you are being most generous and giving all that you have, you are allowing yourself to receive the most---in terms of information, experience, and even growth. This is one idea I want to take into my service work, but also hopefully into my everyday experience.
Outcasts United was a great read, and I am seriously considering buying the book so I can find out what happens to everyone!
ReplyDeleteI particularly enjoyed the part of the book where Tony J. Scipio becomes the chief of the police department. Though he makes many changes and implements a code of conduct for the officers to adhere to (CPR-courtesy, professionalism, respect), what struck me the most about Scipio was his acknowledgment that "[t]here were some times that [he] felt that [he] could have easily become a victim because [the officers] didn't know who [he] was"(179). We commonly affiliate and place people who look similar to one another in our own little stereotypes that we have. Because of the preconceived judgments we place on people, it becomes harder to find a connection with them. Eventually, these barriers we put up ourselves block us from seeing how the world continues to function even though we are trapped within our own prejudices. Just as the world passed Clarkston by, the world continues to pass us by, until we realize the bigger picture. In order to realize the bigger picture, however, we must discover who we are as an individual first, then apply it to our community, and then the world.
In my service learning with Marin Link, I find it very difficult to make a difference without realizing the bigger picture. If I kept working to improve JUST Marin County, or JUST the U.S., I would not get very far. Even if my work were to pay off, and I was able to improve the environmental conditions of Marin, or the U.S., it would pale in comparison to the environmental needs of the world. Striving to improve the environment within Marin and the U.S. is only the first step. An outcast does not have as much power as a group of outcasts who are united. When we think about it, we are all trying to do the same thing: live as human beings.
In Georgia a simple town Clarkston was growing more diverse when families immigrated from Asia, Africa, and Europe. Robert Putnam said, since these people “have little in common they tend to avoid each other and to keep to themselves” (Outcasts 1 pg. 9). It was like that in the beginning. Most people interacted with people they knew and avoided everyone else. It was through time that people got to know and trust each other. Even the mayor, Swaney, wanted everyone to live in peace and says “Maybe we can find a way for everybody to work together, live together, and play together” (Outcasts 1 pg.13). The mayor brings up a very good point of people working in a community to try and make a difference. Eventually the neighbors in this town got to know each other and supported each other. This happens everyday in our lives. We end up working with new people who come from different backgrounds, but with the same goal of being successful and finding peace. We can’t avoid not working with people, because whatever we do, we interact with individuals; so in order for the world to keep growing we need to work, live, and play together. One of the residents, Bill Mehlinger, owned a store, but lost many customers and thanks to Hong he was able to find a way to provide what the community needed. He was able to sell food for the people from Vietnam, Cambodia, Bosnia… Bill “changed his business to accommodate the refugees” (Outcasts 3 pg. 4). Bill did a nice gesture by changing his business so he can help the residents of the town. He worked with the residents to figure out their needs and then worked hard to provide them. In the end his store thrived and so did the community of immigrants.
ReplyDeleteThe soccer team in Clarkston showed well how children from different, but similar backgrounds united to learn about, respect, friendship, discipline, and other improtant skills for survival. The team was also a great way for kids who barely knew English if any at all to play a universal game, learn English, and meet new kids who shared the same passion for the game. Some of the children in the beginning didn’t get along but Luma said ‘we are all foreigners, and this is a team where everybody unites’ (Outcasts 2 pg 15). The players soon began to get along better and in games when their opponents would make fun of them; they united and protected each other. This was a great point that Luma made because in everything we do, whatever job we have or sport we play; there is a mix of backgrounds and a requirement of unification. I think that it is important to accept others and respect them for who they are. Also without unification we willnever overcome the obstacles in life globally and personally. At my service-learning at the MYC, there are a wide variety of ethnicities. It is great to see that everyone gets along very well, even though they have different backgrounds and share different views. Even though the students live different lives from their peers, they do share some things in common which helps them unite, just like the players of the soccer team.
" 'You're talking about one-point-one square miles of encapsulated southern ideologies," Feltz said of her town.' 'People living their safe quiet lives in their white-bread houses, and all of a sudden every other person on the street is black, or Asian, or something they don't even recognize, and 'Oh my God, let's just shut down and stay in our houses!' " (pp.39)
ReplyDeleteKaren Feltz, a newly re-located inhabitant to Clarkston, gave commentary on what she noticed from her perspective as a new citizen of the diverse town she was now a part of.
Why is it that what we don't understand or what we aren't used to scares us? Why is it that we approach differences with caution, as though they were dangerous or harmful?
" 'Inhabitants of diverse communities tend to withdraw from collective life,' " the authors wrote, 'to distrust their neighbors, regardless of the color of their skin, to withdraw even from close friends, to expect the worse from their community and its leaders.. have less faith that they can actually make a difference..' " (pp. 40)
The beginning pages of Outcasts made me think about our research papers on root causes or solutions.
The root cause of the major problems in Clarkston included a lack of understanding and miscommunication. The refugee agencies failed to research the communities that were already present and how moving some refugees into the area might cause tension or psychological stress. The agencies failed to acknowledge the influence of culture on the community and how certain ethnic traditions and values may clash with those belonging to others. The original citizens of Clarkston failed in giving a chance to understand the demographical changes of the community and its implications on their lives.
Reading these opening pages was like seeing a microcosm of what I see today in my life. Tutoring at MCCS made me realize how much people tend to assume things about each other, that we tend to have expectations of what others think about us. These expectations are not only negative, but tend to be an obstacle to a resolution. Sometimes, I get students that ask me why I'm even there, saying that they're nothing but "screw-ups." They put themselves down before someone even gets the chance to. It's like they're trying to beat me to the chase. It's like some sort of defense mechanism because maybe, if they say it themselves, it won't be as hurtful.
We should approach problems with a complete understanding of all stages of the process that led up to that specific problem. What caused these problems? Who did? What could've been done differently? What can we do now? As individuals, what we need to do is care about our communities, to stop expecting the worse and contribute to a collective feeling of unity. Without an idea of self as being part of a larger picture, we lack the drive to commit to change.
“Working with refugees makes you think that maybe there is something we need to learn from the ‘traditional’ world. Maybe our modern, ‘civilized’ world has lost something that we need as human beings” (St. John, 225). Reading Outcasts United has reminded me of the power of culture. In Clarkston culture proved to be an asset that shaped a small southern homogenous community into a diverse hub for many different people. I found it interesting to see the drastic impacts and conflicts that arose from the merging of so many diverse people. For example, Jeremy Cole, a southern Methodist, converted to Islam from the observations he had seen of the gentle and loving Muslim families in the refugee community. Upon conversion he “join[ed] the exceedingly small subset of people who use the phrases ‘y’all’ and ‘Salaam Aleichem’ with equal ease” (St. John, 224). It is interesting how accelerated the demographic change in Clarkston took root and how the community responded. According to resident Karen Feltz, it seemed as if it had occurred overnight. Her realization occurred when seeing a Liberian woman in her neighborhood walking up and down the street with a jug on her head (St. John, 37). As Clarkston, Georgia became one the most diverse communities in the country and a microcosm of the world itself, it is sad to note that a great amount of older white residents left. This flight illustrates how being unreceptive to change and diversity will steal the joy and gifts that diversity comes to offer. I have noticed this throughout my work teaching and tutoring at the MYC. The students I come in contact with are very different than I am. I am particularly not used to relating to youth and have not had much interaction with students from these types of backgrounds. I have made the realization that it is best to approach these people that are very different from me with the same type of openness that I offer my friends. When I attempt to treat them in a “special, new, or different” manner, they are able to see through this insincerity. Therefore openness is the best way to approach and appreciate diversity.
ReplyDeleteI thought the chapters we read were informative, and relatable to the many situations we still come across. The part that struck me most and resonated with me is on page 179, when it mentions that, "Hiring a black police chief intent on shaking up the Clarkston Police Department was an uncharacteristic act of boldness on Swaney's part" (178). Just by the fact that the author mentioned that a white male figure, such as Mayor Swaney took an act of boldness for choosing a black male as a chief is prjudice or stereotypical.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Han when she mentions that, "We commonly affeliate and place people... in our little stereotypes that we have". Our opinions and decisions we make our shaped by our culture and the environment we grow up in. Sometimes our ideas are different from others. Those different ideas should not matter if we, as individuals, are willing to understand eachother and cope with one anothers opinions. Having our different ideas from others only creates a problem when some individuals are closed minded and not willing to listen or undestand others. When this happens we cannot think beyond our prejudices. Just as Swaney chose Scipcio as chief due to his qualities, and not to his race.
We are sometimes focused on what we think, and that prevents us from noticing the greater things in life such as the overall meaning of things or the bigger picture. The way we can realize the overall meaning is to take notice in who we want to be and what our values are and use that to help out others.
At the MYC, it is easy to put my own insights aside and focus on the main thing I need to do there. I now I am there to help those that want my help and bring together those individuals that want to succeed in their studies or even at being better people. When we all work together as a team we get more done, and understand things better because our knowledge combined is more effective and powerful. That is why the students at MYC enjoy working as a unit.
I really enjoyed reading these stories from “outcasts” by Warren St. John. The beginning reading struck me as most interesting because they were easier for me to relate. Like the diverse town mentioned in the book, the area of where I come from is incredibly diverse. Many different cultures come together and inhabit the area where I live. I thought it was funny when the author was describing the town shopping center and how over the years it has changed to accommodate the different refugees. When the author was describing this I thought of a shopping center back home which has Asian cuisine, Mexican cuisine, Indian cuisine and BBQ. It really confused me how the original inhabitant of Clarkston were so opposed to change and accepting other cultures. My favorite part of living in such a diverse area is being able learn about the customs of other cultures. My other favorite thing to do is to try different food from different cultures (I really enjoy food). I hate when people are so closed minded where they are mentally closed to any type of culture that they are not accustomed. I the book the people described as the old Clarkston residence saw the incoming refugees as some kind of menace as if they were pests invading their home; not once did they see it as an opportunity to expand their knowledge of the world.
ReplyDeleteI think the main issue of this situation the residence didn’t know how to accept other for who they are. These refugees were just being themselves. They were just going about their business they way they have always done. For example, I remember reading a part in the book about a resident seeing some refugee’s carrying water buckets on their heads and walking down the streets. This resident automatically labeled this behavior as weird, but to these refugees this behavior is a very common. There was another passage in the book that state how the residence felt that the ways of old Clarkston were fading. They talked about how the days of the friendly neighborhood were long and gone because the refugees didn’t like to be social with the rest of the neighbors. The way the residence of old Clarkston defined being social may be different to other cultures.