Homogeneity, cultural exposure, and the meaning of home

¶ … privilege of growing up in a suburban community that was largely homogenous I really never had much exposure to feeling different until I reached high school. In my home town, the closest anyone actually seemed to being considered different was if their parents were divorced. Entering high school, however, exposed me to several different new cultures and religions that were remarkably different than my own and for the first time I was made to feel different or odd. Quite frankly, it was not a feeling or experience that I particularly enjoyed. In my limited experience I had never known a black or oriental person, at least on a personal level and I had never known anyone who was Jewish or Muslim. In my private, upscale high school, however, I was exposed to every conceivable culture and, I must say, as uncomfortable as I was I enjoyed it. For the first time in my life I was made to recognize that although my childhood had been a good one I missed out on a great many things due to having been sheltered from other ideas and thoughts. High school opened up my world and I have not turned back.

Topic #2

As a young child you yearn to grow up and escape the control of your parents and to do things the way that you want to do them but somehow when it occurs many of the things that one is attempting to escape somehow remain important. How many of us still find ourselves eating the same meals that our mothers prepared; decorating the Christmas tree in the same way that our parents did; or attending the same religious services that we also have? As it is often said, "the more things change the more they stay the same." Maintaining continuity provides security. Eating the macaroni and cheese recipe that your mother made for you as you grew up provides a sense of security; a feeling of comfort that is not obtainable eating anyone else's recipe. Gazing upon a Christmas tree that looks similar to your parent's transcends one back in time to when worries were minimal and responsibilities few. Although these rituals and practices may seem insignificant, they play a major role in ensuring that our lives maintain meaning and purpose.

Topic #4

Using oppositions to evaluate others is a commonly used technique. It allows everyone to categorize others in a method that is useful but not always effective. One such opposition is educated vs. uneducated. Individually, I use this opposition frequently in an effort to distinguish those who I find pleasurable to be around and those that I do not. Although likely not any more useful or valid than any other oppositional choice, it is the one that I find allows me to associate most effectively with those with I feel comfortable. My tolerance for those who are unable or refuse to understand certain concepts and ideas due to a lack of an education is minimal and find that by using this standard I able to choose my friends and associates most effectively. Obviously, from time to time, I use other forms of oppositions as well but the one that I find most useful in my daily life is the one based on education.

Being Different