| Someone who identifies themselves with a minority (eg. disability) is better equipped to handle intercultural situations. |
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Asked 2 years ago
by Frittmann  New Zealand |
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About
Robert Frittmann lives in Auckland, New Zealand, and has been married to Nikki since 2000. Robert has been a computer hobbyist since the 1970's, and began working in the computer industry in New Zealand in 1996. Robert's primary focus has been in computer security, but also has experience in computer retail and OEM system building, network administration, business computing, ERP, and software development (using VBA and VisualStudio 2005). While not a recognized expert in any one of these fields, Robert's abilities with such a broad range of computing subjects has often improved his employment prospects.
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7 Points
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Do you really think that a East L.A. gang-banger is better equipped to handle an intercultural situation?
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[1 point] 2 years ago by deleted user ReplyInteresting question, but my answer is that this is not my observation. I self identify / am being identified as belonging to several different minority groups. When I take part in an activity centered around one of those minority identities it is not at all uncommon to hear a LOT of discriminatory and prejudiced opinions about other minorities, for instance cultural minorities. One would hope that being part of a minority oneself makes one more sensitive to these issues, but actually being part of a minority can also make it more difficult to take part to society in general where one is exposed to all kinds of people other than ones own minority group.
And to add to that, I think what helps best to make it possible for people to handle intercultural situations is exposure to different cultures from a young age onwards. This is in my opinion often more easily achieved when you belong to the mainstream of society than to a minority.
No kidding. I have my father's coloring, so people don't know I am of Native American stock. They think I am white, and so they speak of other races as if I were white. Quite an eye-opener, that.
And being educated in America is often viewed with disdain and suspicion.
Oooh, I can imagine how being a "white native American" must be an eye-opener at times.
Similarly, since I am probably not very stereotypical "gay" in my behaviour, not many people suspect that I could be anything other than straight. That sure makes for some interesting observations. (All the straight people in here just try to think for a minute what it would be like when everyone assumed you are gay like them and the rest of the "normal" people).
And the same with disability. When I first had to start using a wheelchair that was an eye-opener in many ways too! I have to add that I had my disability before it became visible to the outside world.
Interestingly perhaps the most discrimination I come across these days is discrimination against muslims. I am not religious and I would even say I am opposed to islam. But at the same time I am shocked to see the hate and vicious language people use against muslims over here.
So perhaps at least I am somewhat more sensitive to intercultural issues, and perhaps that has to do with me belonging to several minorities, but it is certainly not a generalization I would dare to make.
Oh, it is indeed an eye-opener. My ex-boss used to make all KINDS of racist remarks, all the time, as if he were inviting me to share in his attitudes. I finally told him, and even THAT didn't shut him up--until finally my sister (who is not related by blood, BTW) all but told him to shut the fuck up.
And that is yet another way in which I get to see just how bigoted people are in this country. TheSheep and I are not related by blood, so we call each other sister because there is no word in English (or any other language I know, which isn't saying much) for our relationship. We own a business together; we own a home together; we are committed to each other for life (12 years now, and counting!). Neither of us is gay--but a surprising number of people assume so. She also calls it 'heterosexual life mates.' Simply, we have similar goals and ethics, and are not interested in being either married or alone. Works for us.
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[2 points] 2 years ago by deleted user Reply