Introduction to Culture and Identity Culture and Identity

Introduction to Culture and Identity

Culture and Identity • Culture is the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a group (e. g. , racial, religious or a social group) (Merriam-Webster). • Identity is who you are and your sense of self. You have many layers to your identity.

Age Race Gender Abilities Identity Religion Linguistic Background Sexual Orientation Socioeconomic Status Cultural Background

Black Female Mrs. Bacca English Speaker Working Class/Poor

Identity, Culture and Belonging • Because of the different layers of our identities, we might be included or excluded from some groups, activities, or places.

Rachel and Daniel • Rachel and Daniel want to join a team of male football players but they have both been rejected. • Rachel is a woman. • Daniel is a Korean man.

Gender • What are some things that we assume about woman in sports? Besides statements such as, “You throw like a girl, ” what are some negative assumptions (stereotypes) we have of women? What does it mean to “throw like a girl”? • What are some things that we assume about Asian men in sports? How are Asian men stereotyped in the media?

Rachel’s Problem • Rachel might be rejected by the male football players because she is a female and because we assume things about women and stereotype them in our culture. • Our cultural assumptions of women include: • • Females are bad athletes. Women and girls are weak Women and girls should not play with men in “real” teams. Good teams are those that are made up of men. • “You throw like a girl”; “You hit like a girl”; “You act like a girl. ”

Daniel’s Problem • In our culture, Asian men, like women, are often stereotyped negatively. Here are some of the stereotypes that Daniel has to deal with in order to join the group: • The assumption that Asian men are bad athletes, • The assumption that Asian men are “soft. ” • The assumption that Asian men are “nerdy. ”

Stereotypes and Discrimination • Although Daniel and Rachel have different identities (one is male and the other is female), they both are experiencing discrimination and stereotyping. Daniel is being discriminated against because of race and culture, and Rachel is being discriminated against because of her gender and gender expression (Rachel doesn’t act like a ”typical woman” because she wants to play football rather than a “girls’ sport”).

Intersectionality: Where Different Layers Meet • https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=w 6 dnj 2 Iy. Yj. E

• Summarize the video in two sentences.