I read Coopers article and felt like I was able to connect the most with when they began to talk about assimilation. They explain how assimilation is more of an emotional boundary that you have with your own type of intentions and goals and I felt like this was very true for a lot people. I feel like everyone assimilates when they don't even know it. For example when people move to a different college and have to be around all types of people, you are assimilating to your surroundings because you're trying to fit in and find a place for yourself amongst everyone and your new environment.
A portion of the definition of assimilations stated in the article that I wanted to focus on was, "They change themselves through these interactions and at the same time instigate changes in others with whom they interact,(Cooper 428)". This definition talks about the deeper portion of assimilation people forget about that yes even though we are changing ourselves to fit in with people around us, we are still watching how other people act and we try to figure out why they are doing certain things and if we should be doing the same thing as well. Assimilation goes on a deeper level thann just what you are saying and how you are talking, you take in how people are emotionally, how they act and interact with others as well.
Hi Amina!
ReplyDeleteI thought about the same thing with assimilation, but with location. In August of 2018, I went to Scotland for the month, and although im very involved in Scottish activities and Scottish myself, I don't live in Scotland, and I had to assimilate to my environment as someone who lives in Scotland, including transportation like having to drive on the left side of the road, navigating the train station, pounds, pence, and even language, where a trolley was a shopping cart, a till was a register, and red sauce was ketchup. All of those things are what people have to deal with on a daily basis. And when I was in Scotland, I was very aware that I was getting used to it as we went on, and we were always actively figuring out how to be a resident of Scotland. Its like there are more levels or degrees of assimilation, and its really intriguing.
Hi Amina!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing how you connected the most with the part about assimilation. I have never thought about the fact that we are all, technically, assimilating to new surroundings and situations. How do you think our lives would be different if we did not have to constantly assimilate? Do you think life would be easier because we would not have to change, or more difficult because we would not fit in all settings? Thanks for sharing!
Hi Amina!
ReplyDeleteI think assimilation is an interesting thing, and currently, we encounter new information on a regular basis. At least every day, we learn new information about the world around us, our jobs, our families, and other people around us. For each new piece of information, you are either absorbing that knowledge or adapting to it. Since most people believe strongly in their existing beliefs, most people absorb new knowledge rather than change their belief system.
Hi Amina,
ReplyDeleteYou have chosen an interesting topic to write about. Assimilation, I feel, is seen in every culture group. Not just ethic cultures, but even cultures that revolve around sports or other shared interests. I believe each culture has a set of rules that one must follow, even if they do not agree, just to fit in with the majority. An example of this would be your teammates hating on their revile team and saying nasty comments about them. You may disagree and even think the other team is impressively good. However, if you voice this you may their next target for nasty comments. So, you choose to join their hatred in order to fit in. What is another example of assimilation in a specific culture group?