Introduction
Cultural diversity refers to human societies or cultures interacting in a particular place or worldwide. It is an aspect that opposes monoculture, which can lead to cultural degradation (DeBara, 2023). Therefore, understanding cultural diversity enables respect for all communities within a single civilization. This assignment allowed me to delve into the complex cultural identities of someone whose experiences and backgrounds vastly differ from mine. Maria Rodriguez, a 36-year-old Hispanic woman, is the person I chose for the interview. As a Jewish male 25 years old, the disparity in our cultural identities transcends ethnicity, age, and possibly religion. This paper summarizes my findings from a 90-minute interview with Maria, illuminating her varied cultural identities and the intricacies of our interaction.
I conducted preliminary research before the interview to familiarize myself with Hispanic culture, its complexities, and potential conversation topics. The interview lasted approximately an hour and a half, giving us enough time to explore Maria’s cultural identities thoroughly. The interview took place in a quiet coffee shop, which served as a lovely and neutral setting for our interview. Creating a safe environment included active listening, using open body language, and keeping a caring and nonjudgmental tone.
My prior know Hispanic culture was limited, owing prima primarily duend general cultural awareness. One of the preconceived notions I formerly had about Hispanic society was that it followed a traditional patriarchal structure that gives the father or oldest male relative the most power while women are expected to submit (Nuñez et al., 2016). Despite my limited knowledge, I went into the discussion with genuine curiosity, which seemed to strengthen Maria’s openness. She was open about her experiences, so asking about her cultural identities felt natural. However, talking about potentially sensitive subjects like race and ethnicity required tact and care, but Maria’s enthusiasm to participate in conversation helped me past any initial awkwardness.
I experienced a mixture of comfort and apprehension throughout the interview. I was initially worried that I would accidentally offend the interviewee because of our diverse backgrounds. However, Maria’s friendly demeanor and readiness to share her experiences eased my concerns. For instance, her relaxed demeanor and frequent smiles suggested that she was at ease and taking part. I became more at ease as the conversation went on, which helped to foster an open and honest exchange. Exciting details about the intersection of Maria’s ethnic identities were disclosed through her account. Her struggles with juggling cultural norms, family dynamics, and career aspirations as a Hispanic woman highlighted the difficulties and complexities of her journey.
Descriptive Assessment
An interview with Maria Rodriguez gave me a rare glimpse into her world of cultural identities as a Jewish male in my mid-20s. Our conversation touched on many elements of her identity, presenting universal human experiences and unique cultural perspectives. The interview taught me that the Jewish and Hispanic civilizations share many similarities and contrasts. Both cultures place a strong priority on community and family. The family is Jewish culture’s most significant social unit and the focal point of life (Ivypanda, 2021). Similarly, in Hispanic culture, the family is highly revered and frequently the focus of social life. Both civilizations have traditions and practices passed down from generation to generation.
Jewish and Hispanic cultures are different despite these similarities. For instance, Jewish culture places great importance on learning and intellectual activities, while family and social ties are highly valued in Hispanic culture. Additionally, there is a long history of discrimination and persecution against Jews, which has shaped their culture’s identity and values (Nuñez et al., 2016). On the other hand, the long history of colonization and cultural blending of Hispanic culture has impacted its identity and values.
During our interview, Maria explained that people often focus on her gender and race; “People often fixate on my gender and race,” Maria explained. “It’s quite evident – I’m a Hispanic lady – and that seems to lead to all sorts of assumptions and expectations from others.”. It was enlightening to realize how frequently outward appearances affect first perceptions and interactions, highlighting the interconnectedness of identity and societal perceptions. Maria was open to exploring her identities, although she was reluctant to discuss her first-generation immigrant experiences. She felt at ease discussing her nationality and gender, yet it seemed like her immigrant past stirred up complicated emotions and perhaps vulnerable memories. This insight revealed the highly distinctive and personalized nature of cultural identities.
Maria is incredibly proud of her Hispanic heritage and the close family ties it brings. “I take immense pride in my Hispanic heritage and the strong family bonds it brings,” Maria shared with enthusiasm. “The richness of our culture shines through our customary foods, vibrant celebrations, and cherished family traditions.” Her pride brought attention to the significant impact that cultural heritage has on a person’s sense of identity and belonging. Throughout our interview, I learned about the significance of family in Maria’s life and how gatherings and celebrations serve as vital platforms for connection. Even more, emphasis was placed on the fusion of cultural and spiritual elements through the significance of religious rituals and festivals like Dia de los Muertos. I related to Maria’s depiction of her culture’s emphasis on kinship with and respect for elders because these values cut beyond racial boundaries.
Maria’s cultural identity had several aspects that surprised and intrigued me. She explained the “mano al pecho” gesture, in which individuals place their hands on their hearts during conversations to denote sincerity and genuine concern. Learning about the significance of her extended family to her daily life shed light on the dynamic role that familial ties play in affecting cultural experiences. It was great to interact with Maria’s many ethnic identities and see how connected we are as a species. Despite our differences, we all desired connection and family values. The significance of cultivating empathy and tolerance for those from various cultural backgrounds was underlined throughout this meeting. As I reflect on this conversation, I am reminded of the beauty and richness that cultural diversity brings to our lives, enhancing our understanding of the world and our place in it.
In addition to providing insights into Maria Rodriguez’s culture, asking her about her several ethnic identities led to a thorough examination of my prejudices, assumptions, and constraints. This event acted as a mirror, revealing my worldview’s limits and the depth of cultural diversity. The interview showed how deeply ingrained prejudices and presumptions affect our behavior. I was conscious, as a Jew, of moments when my prejudices regarding Hispanic culture colored my perceptions and behavior. These prejudices frequently rested on misconceptions that the media and popular culture promoted. I approached the conversation with an open mind because I was mindful of my biases from the beginning and could challenge them actively.
Maria’s strong links to her family, background, and cultural traditions tremendously impacted how she perceived the world. Even though my cultural identity was different from hers, we shared a respect for tradition and the significance of family bonds. However, there were noticeable differences, particularly in Maria’s responses about her experiences with immigration, which were an essential aspect of her identity and to which I could not relate fully. This analogy highlighted the boundaries of my comprehension and the value of empathy in filling in the blanks. Undoubtedly, the interview broadened my perspective; Maria’s experiences, views, and cultural customs widened and deepened my understanding of the variety of human existence.
Throughout the interview, concepts we addressed in class—like the importance of active listening and owning our biases—recurred. These ideas helped me spot uncomfortable and unfairly judging situations and find solutions (Cuncic, 2022). I was first reluctant to talk about some subjects because of ethnocentrism, the belief that one’s culture is superior. On the other hand, the interview motivated me to adopt a more ethnorelative perspective and recognize the worth of many cultural perspectives. I also saw how Maria’s cultural background influenced her beliefs, customs, and attitudes, strengthening the argument for the importance of the cultural context we covered in class.
It was also essential to deliberately become aware of oneself to maintain a secure setting for fruitful discussion. Sometimes my prejudices attempted to influence the debate, but I ignored them instead of focusing on Maria’s viewpoint. A culture of trust and openness was fostered through thoughtful listening and kind responses. I want to make the person I’m interviewing feel valued and appreciated, so I’ll acknowledge any biases I might have and promise to be open-minded.
Summary and Personal Reflection
The interview with Maria Rodriguez about her many cultural identities has been enlightening and transformative, giving me valuable insights and lessons that will impact how I view identities, communicate, and be culturally competent. The complicated interactions between identities and how they affect a person’s perspectives, experiences, and interactions were highlighted in this interview. I learned that identities are nuanced and extend beyond superficial characteristics. Her openness to share her experiences highlights the complex layers that make up Maria’s sense of self. This viewpoint emphasized the significance of identities as inherently unique, non-categorizable things.
One of the most unexpected aspects was how much my presumptions and biases may affect how I perceive the world and its people. To have a genuine and polite conversation, it was necessary to recognize and eliminate these biases. Additionally, Maria’s discussion of some aspects of her identity, particularly her first-generation immigrant experiences, revealed the value of sensitivity and empathy in dealing with potentially delicate subjects. The interview has enlarged my perspective and helped me appreciate the diverse range of human experiences. I now recognize the value of proactively pursuing understanding and actively challenging my biases when connecting with people from different backgrounds. Because of the event, my listening style has changed from passive observation to active engagement.
Even though I tried to provide a secure environment for discussion, I realized that communication methods could constantly be improved. In hindsight, I appreciate giving people quiet periods for contemplation and processing. I should have encouraged Maria to explore her cultural identities more deeply using more potent open inquiry techniques. This interview clarified the challenges and complexities that people with identities different from others face. The value of intersectionality, in which several identities interact to create distinctive experiences, was underscored by Maria’s stories. In contrast to superficial knowledge, cultural competency requires a deep comprehension of how identities overlap and affect a person’s life path.
My key lesson from this project is the necessity of ongoing self-awareness, active listening, and a dedication to lifetime learning for actual cultural competence. As a future social worker, this experience will be a pillar of my professional practice. I’ve discovered that solid interpersonal relationships with clients are forged via effective communication and culturally aware engagement. With humility, respect, and a sincere effort to comprehend each person’s different stories and experiences, this interview has given me the tools to deal with the complexities of numerous identities.
References
Cuncic, A. (2022, November 9). 7 active listening techniques to practice in your daily conversations. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-active-listening-3024343
DeBara, D. (2023, August 10). What is cultural diversity, and why does it matter? – hourly, Inc. RSS. https://www.hourly.io/post/cultural-diversity#:~:text=Essentially%2C%20cultural%20diversity%20is%20about,people%20to%20be%20authentically%20themselves.
Ivypanda. (2021, November 28). Jewish family cultural perspective – 3316 words: Article example. IvyPanda. https://ivypanda.com/essays/jewish-family-cultural-perspective/
Nuñez, A., González, P., Talavera, G. A., Sanchez-Johnsen, L., Roesch, S. C., Davis, S. M., Arguelles, W., Womack, V. Y., Ostrovsky, N. W., Ojeda, L., Penedo, F. J., & Gallo, L. C. (2016). Machismo, marianismo, and negative cognitive-emotional factors: Findings from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos sociocultural ancillary study. Journal of Latina/o Psychology, 4(4), 202–217. https://doi.org/10.1037/lat0000050
Appendix
Interview Questions Asked
- What does your cultural identity mean to you, and how would you describe it to someone who may not be familiar with your background?
- Can you share some of your most cherished family traditions or customs that are influenced by your cultural heritage?
- How have your cultural experiences and upbringing shaped your values and beliefs?
- Are there any specific celebrations or festivals that hold particular significance in your culture?
- What challenges or stereotypes have you encountered because of your cultural background, and how have you navigated them?
- How do you perceive the concept of identity, especially in terms of its intersectionality with other aspects like gender, race, and age?
- Are there any instances where you’ve felt a conflict between your cultural identity and other aspects of your life, such as career or personal relationships?
- Can you discuss your experiences with migration or immigration, if applicable, and how they’ve influenced your sense of identity?
- What role does community play in your cultural identity, and how do you connect with others who share a similar background?
- How do you maintain a connection to your cultural heritage, especially in a modern and diverse society?
Interview Questions Planned but Remained Unasked
- How do you see the role of language in preserving and expressing your cultural heritage? Are there any particular languages that hold importance for you?
- Are there any historical events or cultural influences that have significantly shaped your understanding of your cultural identity?
- How has your cultural background influenced your perspectives on family roles and relationships?
- What are some misconceptions or stereotypes about your culture that you’ve encountered, and how do you address or challenge them?
- Are there any traditional foods or dishes that hold a special place in your cultural identity? How do they contribute to your sense of belonging?
- How do you balance or integrate your cultural identity with your daily life, especially in a multicultural society?
Impromptu Questions Asked
- Have you ever experienced moments of cultural adaptation or code-switching, where you needed to adjust your behavior or communication style to fit different cultural contexts?
- What advice would you give to someone from a different cultural background who wants to learn more about and respect your culture?
- Can you share an example of a time when you’ve used your cultural background to bridge gaps or foster understanding between different cultural groups?
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