Different Cultural Identities Dilemma Essay Example for Free

Different Cultural Identities Dilemma Essay The memoir Farewell to Manzanar, written by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston, tells of her experience at Manzanar internment camp after the Pacific War broke out. During the internment of Japanese-Americans, their living standards fell drastically; moreover, they faced Japanese and American values and identity conflicts. It was hard for these Japanese Americans to maintain two different cultural identities for several reasons. In the first place, they suffered from racial discrimination. In the 1940s, mainstream society and the government discriminated against Japanese Americans who were viewed as potentially dangerous people who might betray the US. Thus, Japanese Americans found it was hard to be accepted by others in America. In addition, they largely insisted on their own cultural identities. They were not willing to give up Japanese identities after arriving in America. Chinese immigrants would like to get together and formed Chinatown for the same reason. In the article, Two worlds, one family, Jen Maldonado was imposed on pressure by her Taiwanese friends who insisted on Chinese culture, when she wanted to develop a cross-cultural relationship with an American. It is hard to successfully balance two different cultural identities because of racial discrimination and the adherence to peoples former culture as will be shown using evidence from Farewell to Manzanar, Two worlds, one family and my personal observations. In the 1940s, Japanese-Americans suffered from racial discrimination; thus, they had a hard time getting into mainstream society and balancing their cultural identities. The government never showed full trust towards these immigrants who were viewed as threats to American national security. In order to supervise Japanese-Americans and prevent any potential danger, the government relocated Japanese Americans to internment camps, which exacerbated cultural conflicts and undermined basic human rights. The racist decision that the government made led Japanese Americans to feel that they were incompatible with American culture. Because of the racial discrimination the government initialized, many Japanese immigrants thought they were i nsulted, and so they struggled to accept their American identities. Some of them even wanted to get rid of American identities and went back to Japan. As a result, racial discrimination threatened their American identities. Houston and her friend Radine shared many qualities in common and became the best friends. Although they were socially equal, they were treated in completely different ways because of racism. Houston was not culturally accepted by mainstream society as Radine was. Boys were more likely to ask Radine to the dances, even though they flirted with Houston. Houston was barred from sororities, but Radine was admitted to join them. Houston said that, Watching, I am simply emptied, and in the dream I want to cry out, because she is something I can never be(172). Houston never stopped attempting to retain American identity; however, prejudice of her oriental characteristics obstructed her effort. She looked forward to fulfilling her American identity, but she was too helpless and powerless to challenge enormous racial discrimination, Other than prejudice against Japanese-Americans, another reason that caused people from different cultures to struggle to balance two cultural identities was adh erence to their own culture. After arriving at the continent and staying there for years, many Japanese immigrants still considered that they were more Japanese than American. They were not willing to give up their own culture, and so they confronted cultural conflicts. A minority of people in the camps labeled members of the Japanese American Citizens League inu for having helped the army arrange a peaceful and orderly evacuation(67). Inu meant collaborator or informer in Japanese. The hatred towards these pro-American Japanese immigrants and disrespectful insult words revealed their strong belief in Japan and hostility towards America. To people’s surprise, the authors father who stood up to defend the point of view that immigrants should be loyal to American government was assaulted and condemned by his peers. Although these pro-Japan immigrants had been in America for many years, they still insisted that they were more Japanese. It was the thought that some Japanese Americans were not capable of integrating into American culture and balancing two identities. Chinatown exemplified that Chinese immigrants insisted on their own culture. Chinese immigrants were viewed as a group of conservative and un-American people after they first came to America. They showed keen interests in preserving Chinese culture, but they would not adapt themselves to American society. Therefore, their refusal to give up Chinese identity led to their isolation and failure to balance two cultural identities Their adherence promoted the formation of Chinatown, a Chinese world in alien countries. In the article, Two worlds, one family, Jens Taiwanese friends started giving her grief for dating an American. They were strict about Chinese culture and rejected the cross-cultural marriage. Jen was also warned that she needed to stick with someone from her own culture.' By this, her friends hoped that Jen could retain her Chinese identity by narrowing down her dating range. However, many cases had proven that the cross-cultural marriage played an important role in balancing different cultural identities. When people with different cultural backgrounds decide to form cross-cultural families, they build a bridge of cultural communication. Thus, her friends thoughts undermined cultural exchange. To conclude, it is hard to successfully balance two different cultural identities. Racial discrimination stopped Japanese Americans from balancing their cultural identities. In the wartime, the mainstream society held hostility towards these immigrants, and so they were isolated by the majority. Moreover, some peoples adherence to their former culture became the obstacle of integrating into American society. Chinese always struggled to have cross-cultural communications proceed effectively and successfully due to their insistence on Chinese identity. In the article, Two worlds, one family, Jen was hoped that she could date Chinese persons by her friends. However, their insistence seemed to be stubborn because it blocked effective communication between people from different cultural backgrounds. In order to balance two different cultural identities, people should be more lenient with newcomers and more open to new culture.

Hank Williams Jr. :: essays research papers

Hank Williams Jr. Hank Williams, Jr. was meant to be a superstar from the day he was born. His father, the legendary Hank Williams, and mother, Audrey Sheppard, both played an intricate part in his early stardom. Hank had to overcome many obstacles in his life including escaping from his father's shadow and a near death experience in 1975. Hank's many triumphs, and his ability to overcome setbacks, have propelled him to a legendary status. Born May 26, 1949, in Shreveport, Louisiana, Randall Hank Williams, Jr. was destined to become a star. Tragically, his father died on New Years day, 1953, at the young age on twenty nine ("Official Home Page," Biography). However, his mother, a country singer in her own right, helped Hank Jr. start one of the earliest, and most successful, childhood careers in country music history. Hank appeared on stage for the first time at the young age of eight. Hank appeared on the Grand Ole Opry at the age of eleven, singing his father's songs in his father's style. At the age of fourteen Hank recorded his first album, a hit rendition of his father's "Lone Gone Lonesome Blues." At an age when most young boys are playing Little League baseball or football, Hank was learning the piano from Jerry Lee Lewis, appearing on the Ed Sullivan Show, and performing before crowds of up to twenty thousand. In 1969, Hank teamed up with Johnny Cash to perform in the largest country concert to date. In 1970, Hank signed the biggest recording contract in the history of MGM Records. As proud as he was of being the son of Hank Williams, Hank got tired of being in his father's shadow. In high school, known as "Rockin' Randall," Hank played contemporary rock, however, that had to be kept secret from all his traditional country fans. He also liked to listen to rhythm and blues, however, these types of music were looked down on by many in Nashville. Later in his career, Hank even released a couple of rock singles under the name Bo Cephus on Verve Records, a subdivision of MGM. The split between what he wanted to do and what he was expected to do , along with his long-term alcohol and drug abuse, developed into a downward spiral of his career that led to a 1974 suicide attempt. In early 1975, Hank recorded "Hank Williams, Jr. and Friends," his first true step to escaping his father's shadow and the past. Although the album was a success, MGM wanted him to return to the style that would keep his longtime

Renaissance period

In the Renaissance period, there had been evidence that mentally people did already exist. In this period, the beliefs which mainly came from the Middle Ages were dragged into renaissance period. This is the ideology that people under mental disorder or people who are mentally ill are those who were casted by or cursed by evil spirits (Administrator, 2006).Certain people under this kind of disorder where locked away during this time, they are being placed in cells and they are not being taken care of by any physicians. These people are said to be tortured instead of being cured, they are often being locked up inside the closets and even in cages because of their being disobedient caused by their unknown mental disorder (Administrator, 2006).On the year 1493-1541 Paracelsus had this ideology that mental illness is not really cause by evil spirits but then people during this time did not took his idea as merely fact and instead the people continued the way on how they treat mentally di sordered ones.It is explained that people with this kind of problem during the renaissance time only talk and interact with people of their same disorder. It is because they are the ones who are considered dangerous and incompetent (Administrator, 2006).As a result to lack of care and attention for seeking cure, people who are mentally ill during the renaissance period are experiencing difficulties which cause their mental health to be more of a problem because instead of being reversed, they become more mentally ill (Administrator, 2006).The cruel treatments such as torture for the mentally ill people were lessened during the 17th century where the first mental hospital was established in England. People in this ward were viewed like animals in the zoo during this time and there were no further studies made to cure such mental problem until the mid 18th century (Administrator, 2006).References Administrator.(2006).History[ElectronicVersion]from http://www.afunnyfarm.org.uk/index.ph p?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=18&Itemid=39.

Taking a Look at Dementia - 1005 Words

Dementia is a broad term that encompasses a variety of different diseases and syndromes(The dementia timebomb, 2013). About 38 million in the united states and 820,000 in the United Kingdom are diagnosed with one of the over 100 types of dementia. It is also and aged related condition, so most people inflicted with it are older rather than younger. A person can have multiple forms of dementia or a disease such as alzheimers diseases that involves dementia symptoms. Symptoms of dementia include: memory loss, disorientation, loss of motor skills, not being able to eat or drink, depression and even hallucinations. Most of these symptoms are caused due to a problem within the central nervous system, more specifically the brain. As the condition progresses so do the symptoms related to it. In the later stages of the condition, many patients have been noted to have vivid hallucinations that they believe to be real life events. They may not be able to recognize their own loved ones, but sometimes are able to recall back on old memories. In some patients they forget the time and place and even resort back to being a child again (Jenkins C McKay A, 2013). In many forms of dementia, The Frontal lobe and the temporal lobe of the brain has been damaged. The cells in these lobes are dying off slowly and connection is losted. This is due to the loss of neurons in both lobes of the brain. Scary tissues develops in these parts of the brain also. Many of the surviving cells tend to haveShow MoreRelatedTaking a Look at Dementia1237 Words   |  5 PagesPeople with Dementia suffer with the mental inability to function daily in their life. It is not a specific disease but is a term that includes a range of symptoms that includes the loss of memory and cognitive skills that are severe enough to impair a person’s ability to function in everyday life. Alzheimer’s disease is one type of dementia. (What is Dementia) Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia. Symptoms of AD include loss of memory, inability to tell what time ofRead MoreTaking a Look at Dementia559 Words   |  2 Pagesthe 19th century, dementia was a much broader clinical concept. It included mental illness and any type of psychosocial incapacity, including conditions that could be reversed.[74] Dementia at this time simply referred to anyone who had lost the ability to reason, and was applied equally to psychosis of mental illness, organic diseases like syphilis that destroy the brain, and to the dementia associated with old age, which was attributed to hardening of the arteries. Dementia has been referredRead MoreThe Chronic Neurological Disease : Alzheimer s Disease1649 Words   |  7 Pagessome blood work and a few brain imaging sessions to rule out other causes of dementia. 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In the early stages of some forms of dementia people mayRead MoreHealth Promotion Essay1688 Words   |  7 Pagesï » ¿DEMENTIA The purpose of this essay is to look at dementia in details and get a clear understanding of the level at which this condition affects the society and how it raises public health concern. According to the NHS Choices (2010), Dementia is said to be a condition that carries a group of related symptoms, associated with an ongoing decline in the performance of the brain and its abilities. This condition affects the individual’s memory, thinking, language, and understanding together with judgmentRead MoreRights And Choices Of An Individual With Dementia917 Words   |  4 PagesKey legislation that relates to the fulfilment of rights and choices and also minimises the risk of harm to an individual with dementia is: * Human Rights Act 1998 * Mental Capacity Act 2005 * Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 * Deprivation of Liberty safeguards (DOLS) * Mental Health Act 2007 * The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 * Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 * Carers (Equal opportunities) Act 2004 This legislation is there to protect individuals fromRead MoreA Look At Non Alzheimer s Disease1684 Words   |  7 PagesA Look At Non-Alzheimer’s Disease Dementias By Katie Bergstrom, PA-S ABSTRACT: The most common tendency in assessing patients who display signs of dementia is to evaluate them for Alzheimer’s Disease. This means that Vascular Dementia, Dementia with Lewy Bodies, and Parkinson’s Disease Dementia are conversely overlooked as possible diagnoses. Special attention to clinical presentation and the use of diagnostic tests (such as the MRI) and assessment scales (like the Mini Mental State Exam) aid inRead MoreDementia: Cerebrum and High Blood Pressure953 Words   |  4 PagesDEMENTIA AWARNESS 1.Understand what dementia is 1.1 Explain what is meant by the term dementia A syndrome due to disease of the brain, usually of a chronic progressive nature in which there are multiple disturbances of higher cognitive function. 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They also mayRead MoreThe Ethics Of Non Voluntary Active Euthanasia1050 Words   |  5 Pagesand active, such as on a patient with dementia, the ethical decision comes into play if there are episodes of clarity and the patient has or has not mentioned what they want to do at the end of life situations. Principles of deontology suggest duty and obligation. A medical professional in such situations have an obligation to fulfill the patient s wishes. The nature of their obligation does not sway based on what they personally think. Patients with dementia have some moments of clarity, but because