Quick Reading...
Some steps which I find helpful in bridging cultural barriers among people especially working in a multi-lingual, multi-national environment. They are:
1. Make an effort to get to know people different than you:
Look for things in common with other people and celebrate the differences. We can learn from and appreciate something about everyone.
2. Learn about other people and their culture:
By learning about other people, your life will be greatly enriched and your appreciation for your own culture will deepen.
3. Don't laugh at racist, sexist, ageist, homophobic and other stereotypical jokes or assumptions:
By laughing, you're acknowledging the joke is appropriate and encouraging more inappropriate comments. You can interrupt without being rude. Don't let your silence speak for you. Simply say, "I don't find that funny," or "I don't appreciate jokes like that."
4. Think before you speak:
Words can hurt, whether you mean them to or not. When describing a person, think if mentioning their race is important to the story. Do you refer to everyone from South or Central America as Mexican? If you don't know someone's country of origin, don't assume. Some people prefer Black, while others like African American. Some prefer Latino/a, others like Hispanic. If you're unsure which to use, ask. It's important to use the correct language.
5. Be a role model:
Be vocal in opposing discriminatory views and practices, especially with friends and family who respect your opinion. Don't criticize, but help educate others about issues and about your own experiences.
6. Don't make assumptions:
Do you assume that African Americans like rap music or that Asians are good at math? Stereotypes hurt everyone. Examine what your prejudices are and
make adjustments to look at everyone as an individual.
7. Work on projects with members of groups different from your own:
Working as an equal alongside others from different groups on a common project is one of the best ways to undo prejudice and increase familiarity with others.
8. Explore the unfamiliar:
Attend an organization meeting, religious service or travel to a new region where you are in the minority. For example, if you are Christian attend a talk on Islam or vice versa .
9. Be a proactive parent.
Expose your children to diversity at a young age. Read stories that explain the point of view of other groups. Discuss TV shows, movies or books that present
stereotypes. Children can benefit from knowing other children from different groups at very early ages, before prejudices and biases are formed.
Source: YWCA
kids are no more remained kids (I have teenagers). They personally experienced certain discriminations while interacting with various peer groups due to socio-cultural or traditional gaps.
No doubt, we have taught them enough moral lessons to be a resposible civilised citizen but international media/internet teach them a different subject.
the last point is tricky cause it involves instilling values into a child.
actually , a kid experiences a lot of things which he would not be able to tackle unless he is guided in a proper way. as a parent you can educate him on bullying who donot necessarily represent any color or religion.
you just need to make sure that your kid doesnot learn from you that color or religion makes you different from the other kid/person, it is just that the other person or kid discriminating him is a bad character.
an old saying "if you feel yourself as loser, then what do you expect others to think of you".....
thanks for sharing.....not very difficult to follow.....
Last point very difficult....what stories you tell about the different culture/traditions and what they experience on every day at International Schools (racism)and read in the Newspaper (preferential treatments / discrimination at all levels from education, employment, salary scales, citizenship, sponsorship and exit permits all based on nationality) contradicts....
How to manage such confusion? What is his fault, if born as black African and not as White European?
Lets do this and commence with our YMCA song together!
Source: http://www.sing365.com
Y.M.C.A.
------Village People
Young man, there's no need to feel down.
I said, young man, pick yourself off the ground.
I said, young man, 'cause you're in a new town
There's no need to be unhappy.
Young man, there's a place you can go.
I said, young man, when you're short on your dough.
You can stay there, and I'm sure you will find
Many ways to have a good time.
It's fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A.
It's fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A.
They have everything that you need to enjoy,
You can hang out with all the boys ...
It's fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A.
It's fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A.
You can get yourself clean, you can have a good meal
You can do whatever you feel ...
Young man, are you listening to me?
I said, young man, what do you want to be?
I said, young man, you can make real your dreams.
But you've got to know this one thing!
No man does it all by himself.
I said, young man, put your pride on the shelf,
And just go there, to the Y.M.C.A.
I'm sure they can help you today.
It's fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A.
It's fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A.
They have everything that you need to enjoy,
You can hang out with all the boys ...
It's fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A.
It's fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A.
You can get yourself clean, you can have a good meal,
You can do whatever you feel ...
Young man, I was once in your shoes.
I said, I was down and out with the blues.
I felt no man cared if I were alive.
I felt the whole world was so jive ...
That's when someone came up to me,
And said, young man, take a walk up the street.
It's a place there called the Y.M.C.A.
They can start you back on your way.
It's fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A.
It's fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A.
They have everything that you need to enjoy,
You can hang out with all the boys ...
YMCA
It's fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A
Young man, young man there's no need to feel down
Young man, young man pick yourself off the ground
Y-M-C-A
then just go to the Y-M-C-A
young man, young man I was once in your shoes
young man, young man I said, I was down and out with the blues.
Y-M-C-A
Qatar Living favorite classy jokes: "Remove by MOD" or "OOPS" Don't you get it? It is the last joke or posting in QL that you are going to read about.
Graduated from Xavier Institute for Higher learning
Make an effort to get to know people different than you:
OK.... But , not the French
Don't laugh at racist, sexist, ageist, homophobic and other stereotypical jokes or assumptions:
Sorry, but some are superb...
That's very nice, thalib, but I was just wondering what you were doing on a YWCA website!
Mandi