Q Last week you guys did a great job of summarizing the unique aspects of Southern culture. Now as we move forward in the class, we begin to ponder about culture and how it may vary for individuals, groups, communities, regions, and countries. We first begin by considering an important avenue in understanding culture…communication. When providing therapeutic, social, judicial, educational, or health care services to diverse clients and patients, it is helpful to consider various verbal and nonverbal communication styles and patterns. However, before communicating we must be aware of our own cultural identities and experiences! At times it is easier to "see" your cultural patterns of communication when you are immersed in a culture that is different than your own. For example, I understood American nonverbal and socio-relational cultural tendencies more clearly when traveling to China in the 9th grade. While I was immersed in Chinese culture, I observed some subtle and some obvious differences in which helped me understand and respect Chinese culture and also which helped me to better understand or "see" my own cultural influences more clearly. This is the importance of cultural immersion. We won't get to do multicultural events this semester due to the pandemic :( but I would like for you to consider your culture coffee shops as an opportunity to immerse yourselves, experience and learn about different cultures!

Q I have stated over and over and over again about the importance of self-awareness of our own cultural factors, beliefs, values, biases, and attitudes. This dialogue is designed to understand the unique cultural experiences of the members of your coffee shop and share your own cultural experience. So! Select at least one personal cultural factor (e.g., race, ethnicity, gender, age, religious affiliation or lack thereof, sexuality, and/or ability) to discuss in your discussion post. Based on your selected factor, write the following in the discussion post: • What I want you to know about my experience of having a cultural group identification of (e.g, racial/ethnic group, gender, sexuality, religious affiliation, or ability level)... • What I never want to see, hear or experience again as a member of this group... • What I want people to appreciate about my cultural experience.... It is imperative that you respond to the weekly post in your Culture Coffee Shop early so that you can engage in an experiential dialogue with your classmates. You will have to write about your classmates' responses to your post. So pay attention to your experience of sharing this with your small group members. Pay attention to your as well as their reactions and responses. Also, see what you can learn about other cultural factors that your classmates identify with. Practice asking questions or responding to your group mates in a respectful culturally competent manner. It may be helpful to respond to more than one classmate this week (although only a response to the instructor and one classmate is required). This group discussion allows you to practice reflecting on your classmates experience as his or her own experience. It is NOT an opportunity for you to offer opinions about the person's experience. PRACTICE cultural humility which means to listen reflectively to understand NOT listen defensively to respond in debate. Prompt your questions or responses in a that helps you receive more information about cultural experiences in a way that appreciates different cultural groups. This will be a skill that you will need to utilize in your interviews later in the semester...and then!!!

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