Comments on: Is culture a dying phenomenon? #hr http://imsocorporate.com/2009/10/29/is-culture-a-dying-phenomenon-hr/ Thu, 11 Mar 2010 06:02:28 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Erika Gasca http://imsocorporate.com/2009/10/29/is-culture-a-dying-phenomenon-hr/#comment-1438 Erika Gasca Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:18:18 +0000 http://imsocorporate.com/?p=417#comment-1438 Hi Sarah, I read your blog and i loved it. For my speech class i have to write a persuasive speech on anything of my choice, and what i picked was The Importance of Preserving Our Culture. I am a perfect mixture of Cuban- Portuguese from my mom and Italian and Portuguese from my dad. I am also a first generation american. Before i could learn english my mother taught me how to read and write spanish and my dad did the same with italian. I want to write this speech, because as i performed my audience analysis, i realized that one of the students there is native american and he doessnt even know how to speak his own language! he even grew up in his reservation! A Navajo Indian! I think that is so sad...but any ways, are there any reference you can give me so i can work them in to my speech. I will definitely be using your blog as one! Thank you so much! Erika Hi Sarah,
I read your blog and i loved it. For my speech class i have to write a persuasive speech on anything of my choice, and what i picked was The Importance of Preserving Our Culture. I am a perfect mixture of Cuban- Portuguese from my mom and Italian and Portuguese from my dad. I am also a first generation american. Before i could learn english my mother taught me how to read and write spanish and my dad did the same with italian. I want to write this speech, because as i performed my audience analysis, i realized that one of the students there is native american and he doessnt even know how to speak his own language! he even grew up in his reservation! A Navajo Indian! I think that is so sad…but any ways, are there any reference you can give me so i can work them in to my speech. I will definitely be using your blog as one!
Thank you so much!
Erika

]]> By: TWB http://imsocorporate.com/2009/10/29/is-culture-a-dying-phenomenon-hr/#comment-143 TWB Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:51:14 +0000 http://imsocorporate.com/?p=417#comment-143 Ethnic ancestry is not the only aspect of identity, so I'm not sure moving away from previous conceptions of tradition are going to negate individuality or the opportunity for a rich culture. For example: fusion cuisine (there's a local sushi place that has such offerings as makimono made with mango!). Also, you can look at all the rich musical traditions that arose largely out of the great blues men (Robert Johnson being my favorite, sorry B.B.). Diversity and individuality are functions of the freedom of thought. As long as we promote a society in which citizens are free to express themselves artistically and creatively in an open setting, we will not risk losing a rich culture. Ethnic ancestry is not the only aspect of identity, so I’m not sure moving away from previous conceptions of tradition are going to negate individuality or the opportunity for a rich culture. For example: fusion cuisine (there’s a local sushi place that has such offerings as makimono made with mango!). Also, you can look at all the rich musical traditions that arose largely out of the great blues men (Robert Johnson being my favorite, sorry B.B.). Diversity and individuality are functions of the freedom of thought. As long as we promote a society in which citizens are free to express themselves artistically and creatively in an open setting, we will not risk losing a rich culture.

]]> By: TWB http://imsocorporate.com/2009/10/29/is-culture-a-dying-phenomenon-hr/#comment-142 TWB Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:42:48 +0000 http://imsocorporate.com/?p=417#comment-142 Sarah- I think it's important to specify that we're not talking about what culture someone comes from, but the culture of their ethnic ancestry. In Greater Boston, there is a huge population of Irish descent, many of whom adopt this perceived group membership as an important part of their identity, though it's uncommon to find anyone with even a parent from Eire. As the diversity of regions increases, you will see less of a focus on and connection with a perceived ethnic history and more of a focus on the existing culture. Culture is in no way being lost, just shifting to different practices. In regards to Laurie, "American" is a nationality as it pertains to living in the US. Ethnicity is more tied to the culture of ancestral origin (as opposed to just biological origin). Tradition can be a great way of connecting to other members of a group, ethnic, familial, or whatever, but we must recognize that this changes over time (perhaps most notably the supplanting of polytheistic belief systems' deities with Catholic saints, but also in more subtle ways). My central point is this: culture does not die. It is an integral part of the human experience. Globalizing forces (and those relating to the American 'melting pot') influencing culture are in no way different from the introduction of ironworking to a group previously working with bronze or written language to a group unfamiliar with the concept. The difference is that it is happening faster and on a larger scale. Sarah- I think it’s important to specify that we’re not talking about what culture someone comes from, but the culture of their ethnic ancestry. In Greater Boston, there is a huge population of Irish descent, many of whom adopt this perceived group membership as an important part of their identity, though it’s uncommon to find anyone with even a parent from Eire. As the diversity of regions increases, you will see less of a focus on and connection with a perceived ethnic history and more of a focus on the existing culture. Culture is in no way being lost, just shifting to different practices. In regards to Laurie, “American” is a nationality as it pertains to living in the US. Ethnicity is more tied to the culture of ancestral origin (as opposed to just biological origin). Tradition can be a great way of connecting to other members of a group, ethnic, familial, or whatever, but we must recognize that this changes over time (perhaps most notably the supplanting of polytheistic belief systems’ deities with Catholic saints, but also in more subtle ways).

My central point is this: culture does not die. It is an integral part of the human experience. Globalizing forces (and those relating to the American ‘melting pot’) influencing culture are in no way different from the introduction of ironworking to a group previously working with bronze or written language to a group unfamiliar with the concept. The difference is that it is happening faster and on a larger scale.

]]> By: Laurie Ruettimann http://imsocorporate.com/2009/10/29/is-culture-a-dying-phenomenon-hr/#comment-141 Laurie Ruettimann Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:26:25 +0000 http://imsocorporate.com/?p=417#comment-141 I am German, Russian, Polish, Austrian, maybe British, possibly Dutch, and my great-grandparents were Germans who lived in Romania for awhile before moving to Chicago. Some people in my family are Jewish & Catholic (although it's not an ethnicity) and others are Lutheran. My maiden name is Polish because of my dad's dad's dad. My Mom's name is Jewish. My husband's last name is Swiss -- but sounds German. His family is Swiss, German, Polish, and his mom is French Canadian. Or just french. We're not sure. You know what? I lived in England and had to fill out a form. I was asked for my nationality. I was confused and I explained my predicament to a fellow student. I said, "I don't know my nationality. I'm sort of a mutt." He said, "Love, you are American." I think it's interesting to look back at our cultural roots; however, I worry that national pride and identity can divide us. We are Americans. We don't have to denigrate our roots and we can respect our cultural heritage, but I would like to start thinking that America has a nationality. I am German, Russian, Polish, Austrian, maybe British, possibly Dutch, and my great-grandparents were Germans who lived in Romania for awhile before moving to Chicago. Some people in my family are Jewish & Catholic (although it’s not an ethnicity) and others are Lutheran.

My maiden name is Polish because of my dad’s dad’s dad. My Mom’s name is Jewish. My husband’s last name is Swiss — but sounds German. His family is Swiss, German, Polish, and his mom is French Canadian. Or just french. We’re not sure.

You know what? I lived in England and had to fill out a form. I was asked for my nationality. I was confused and I explained my predicament to a fellow student.

I said, “I don’t know my nationality. I’m sort of a mutt.”

He said, “Love, you are American.”

I think it’s interesting to look back at our cultural roots; however, I worry that national pride and identity can divide us. We are Americans. We don’t have to denigrate our roots and we can respect our cultural heritage, but I would like to start thinking that America has a nationality.

]]> By: Sarah White http://imsocorporate.com/2009/10/29/is-culture-a-dying-phenomenon-hr/#comment-140 Sarah White Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:48:36 +0000 http://imsocorporate.com/?p=417#comment-140 Felix - I completely agree with you to a point - but I think completely eliminating a sense of culture will remove differences that make each of us unique. I can't imagine living in a world with out individuality, culture and diversity - can you? Sarah Felix -

I completely agree with you to a point – but I think completely eliminating a sense of culture will remove differences that make each of us unique.

I can’t imagine living in a world with out individuality, culture and diversity – can you?

Sarah

]]> By: Felix Wetzel http://imsocorporate.com/2009/10/29/is-culture-a-dying-phenomenon-hr/#comment-139 Felix Wetzel Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:21:56 +0000 http://imsocorporate.com/?p=417#comment-139 A very interesting blog, Sarah. I look forward to a time when we have diverse global cultures that have weaker links to country of origin. It is important to remember where we are from, but let's move and merge it forwards instead of keeping linking it to traditions of the past. Culture is at its strongest when it is an undercurrent, therefore inclusive and organic, stable and flexible. And it is the same for corporate culture. A very interesting blog, Sarah. I look forward to a time when we have diverse global cultures that have weaker links to country of origin. It is important to remember where we are from, but let’s move and merge it forwards instead of keeping linking it to traditions of the past. Culture is at its strongest when it is an undercurrent, therefore inclusive and organic, stable and flexible. And it is the same for corporate culture.

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