Where I'm From

Where I'm From

 

 

 

 

I am from long, winding back roads, from old blue Ford tractors, and living from our land, and the land of our ancestors.

 

I am from the new, two-story blue house on the corner, and the sound of revving four wheelers from all directions of "Lazy Acres".

 

I am from the fruitful blackberry bushes in my grandma's backyard, and the towering, strong chestnut trees surrounding our home.

 

I am from Sunday services followed by family dinners and memory making; from my mom's blue eyes, my grandma's round nose, and my dad's big heart and love of helping others.

 

I am from the endless supply of smores near our regular backyard bonfires, and story telling from the "old Wickwire days".

 

From "A, You're Adorable", and "be careful Lucy".

 

I am from Bible School, "Belly Baptists", and learning to live for God with the help of my family. From my first picture bible, to my current pink King James Version.

 

I'm from West Virginia, Ireland, and England (with just a hint of Germany), from homemade peach cobbler and Grandma's famous blackberry cake.

 

From the sister and best friend who taught me a love of all sports and "athletic stuff", a mother who is a teacher and gave me the patience, love, and kindness to fulfill my dream profession, and step-siblings who show me the support and security of a big family, and that different last names mean nothing in our house.

 

I am from a family of faith; of grief, of gratefulness and humility. From a home of patience and understanding, hard work and traditions. From "We may not have it all together, but together we have it all".

 



Cultural Difference vs Cultural Deficit

     After reading the text and watching the videos, I now have a better understanding of the terms "cultural difference" and "cultural deficit". It is clear to me what each video is displaying. The short, FOX news clip of the gentleman trying to change the way the African American students speak is a cultural deficit situation. The instructor believes that the students are not aware of how to speak in Proper English, and that they do not know any other form of language side from what they speak. Throughout the video, he explains and displays his corrections of the the students speech and how he tries to change how they communicate with him and each other. The students in the video talk about the language they heard growing up, and that they didn't experience Proper English.
     The second video clip is an example of cultural difference. The fact that individuals grow up with different language experiences, but are able to code-switch in a given situation is evidence of cultural differences. Whether the example be of the young girl who spoke another language to her friends or the teachers code-switching outside of class or on the phone, the difference is that they are able to turn their Proper English on and off. The students and adults interviewed in this clip were aware of the importance of Proper English in getting a job or advancing after education.
     To me, the videos were similar but also very different. It was clear to me which depicted a deficit and which showed cultural differences.