While I was browsing an amazing website called YouTube, I came across a show called Taboo. One can easily infer what the show is about by just looking at the name. Taboo is defined as a practice or subject that is not acceptable to talk about or do, meaning that the show observes many practices or actions others do that certain cultures could consider unacceptable, or--taboo. The particular episode I was watching tackled the subject of body modifications, and one particular body modification stood out to me like a light bulb in a sea of darkness. A tribe located in a small town called Nai Soi in Thailand, consists of a unique group of women. At a very young age, most of the women in this tribe decide to put brass-looking rings around their necks in order for them to appear elongated. This particular body modification initially freaked me out, and I questioned why they would do such a thing to their bodies. As the episode went on, I realized that most of these women decide to put the rings around their necks because their mothers most likely had them on as well-- it is part of their culture. These women are raised, constantly exposed to other women appearing this way, therefore making women with these long necks beautiful to others in the community. In this particular case, I think that one’s culture can enable him/her to the creation of his/her’s identity. When a person’s religion, or common practices play a huge role in his/her’s life, it is very likely for their culture to play a huge influence on their identity.
In my AP Literature and Composition class, my classmates and I were assigned to read a coming-of-age novel called Native Son by Richard Wright. I know what you must be thinking: julenejenson903, this book must have been the struggle to go through, why are you talking about this assigned book?!! Well, this is one book that I would read on my free time for a second time. This book followed the story of a man named Bigger Thomas, and his struggles as a result of the harsh world he lived in. Bigger’s culture (which essentially set Bigger up to believe that whites were above him) hindered the creation of his identity. For the majority of the novel, Bigger could not focus on who he was because of his constant fear and anxiety due to his surroundings. Bigger was surviving, not living; because Bigger was on survival mode, he could not focus on himself and the steps he needed to take in order to create his own identity. So, in this case I think that someone’s culture can also hinder the creation of his/her identity.
All in all, the essential questions we ask ourselves does not have to have one answer. The answer to my essential question does not necessarily have to be the answer to your essential question. It all depends on the individual, and the situation. Life is just too complicated to view it through one set of eyes.
I completely agree with your idea that outside influences have a great impact on one's identity. The examples you gave, such as the youtube show "Taboo", were very unique and gave me a clear understanding of your topic. I found it very interesting how the traditions of other cultures may seem strange or bizarre to us. One criticism that I have for your post is that your primary audience is your class. We already know a lot about Native Son, and don't need such a lengthy introduction to it. Besides that, I thought your post was overall very insightful and interesting.
ReplyDeleteI liked how you started your blog off with outside influences, basically relating to yourself. Then later connecting your essential question to the novel was interesting because it was your point of view. Falling victim to outside influences is hard but, it's also interesting when culture plays a role in it. Nice job!
ReplyDeleteWhile I was reading your example of cultural influence with the brass ring, the tradition of foot binding came across my mind. During that time, the cultural standard of beauty influenced the action of the Chinese women. Also, I agreed with you that cultural has a big impact on one's identity. For many years, I was influenced by Chinese culture, especially with Confucius's thinking. However, I was impacted by American culture as well. The diversity in Brockton, along with American and Chinese cultures certainly shape and enrich my beliefs and my life and I am thankful for these changes.
ReplyDeleteI liked your personal anecdote as an introduction! I love reading little snippets of someone's story. Although the pages are so thin in comparison to who are and your life as a whole. Anyways, I loved your connection to the YouTube show "Taboo" because I've actually read about that body modification. Even though it looks as if the women's necks are super long, in reality, the rings have changed the way their shoulders are shaped. The women of Thailand begin to wear the heavy neck rings at about five years old. Over the years, it changes their normal shoulder growth, creating the look of a long neck. (I'm assuming the video dived into that information a bit and I';m sorry if I ramble haha). That one example really made me think about how culture affects individuals sense of beauty. What I find beautiful may not be the same as what someone else may find beautiful. In America we have plastic surgery but in Thailand they have neck rings. The concept is the same: modify your body to be your own definition of beautiful. I guess it really is true when they say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I never thought of the idea that our perception of beauty is influenced by our culture. The connections to "Native Son" was really good, I just wish you could have some how focused more on how Bigger was internally conflicted about beauty in regards to race and discussed how he found Mary attractive but wanted to hate her because she was white. I think that would've have been really interesting to read. But, great job!
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