Unit II Scholarly Activity Cultural Interview Pick A Person

Unit Ii Scholarly Activitycultural Interviewpick A Person To Interview

Pick a person to interview who has had a different cultural experience than you. The person or their family should be from a different region or country, but other forms of diversity are also acceptable. Conduct the interview face-to-face, via Skype/FaceTime, or over the phone, with a minimum of 20 minutes. Take notes and, if permitted, record the interview for later reference. The final deliverable is a two-page essay (about 500 words or 12-point font, double-spaced) including the following sections:

• Introduction: Introduce your interviewee briefly, providing background, relationship to you, and the reason for choosing them. Describe how the interview was conducted.
• Summary of Interview: Summarize insights gained about their culture and life, highlighting key points from your questions.
• Culture & Geography: Discuss how the interviewee’s story illustrates the relationship between place and culture, touching on course topics like immigration, migration, or globalization.
• Conclusion: Reflect on your experience—how it went, what you learned, and whether it increased your cultural awareness or appreciation.

Develop questions beforehand, focusing on biographical info, cultural practices, language, traditions, and experiences with discrimination or stereotypes. Be empathetic, attentive, and prepared to adapt to the interviewee’s comfort level. The essay should be well-organized, include in-text citations if referenced, and have a separate References section, with at least five credible sources used for supporting literature on cultural interviewing and related topics.

Paper For Above instruction

Despite the rapid globalization that characterizes our contemporary world, cultural identities remain vital and highly individualized aspects of human life. Conducting a cultural interview allows students to deepen their understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity through personal, direct engagement. This paper narrates the experience of interviewing Maria Lopez, a second-generation Mexican-American woman, exploring her cultural background, life experiences, and perspectives on identity and community. The interview sought to examine the connection between place and culture, while also reflecting on how such personal stories illuminate broader sociocultural dynamics.

Introduction

Maria Lopez, a 34-year-old woman from Los Angeles, California, graciously agreed to share her story. I met her through a mutual friend, and our interview took place via Zoom due to geographic constraints. The purpose of selecting Maria was to understand how cultural heritage influences personal identity, especially for someone whose family emigrated from Mexico. From the outset, I was interested in her experience of maintaining cultural traditions in an American setting, navigating bilingualism, and dealing with societal stereotypes. The interview lasted approximately 30 minutes, during which I took detailed notes, focusing on her childhood, family customs, language use, and perceptions of cultural identity.

Summary of Interview

Maria shared that her parents immigrated to the United States in the late 1980s, seeking better economic opportunities. Her mother, originally from a small town near Guadalajara, brought with her strong traditions of family and faith, which she actively preserved and passed down to Maria and her siblings. Maria identified as fluent in Spanish and English, often switching between the two depending on context—Spanish at home, English at school and work. She expressed pride in her cultural heritage, celebrating Mexican holidays such as Día de los Muertos and Cinco de Mayo with family gatherings, traditional foods, music, and rituals. Despite her efforts to maintain her roots, Maria recounted facing stereotypes, notably assumptions that she was undocumented or "lazy," typical misconceptions about Mexican Americans. She also described how her community’s shared cultural practices fostered a sense of belonging and resilience amid societal biases.

Culture & Geography

The interview highlighted the powerful link between place and culture. Maria's stories of growing up in a predominantly Latino neighborhood in Los Angeles illustrated how geographical location influences cultural preservation and community identity. Her neighborhood fostered a strong cultural cohesion, with local markets, churches, and festivals reinforcing shared values. This exemplifies how migration patterns shape cultural landscapes within urban spaces, aligning with course themes of globalization and transnationalism, where cultural traits are sustained and adapted across borders. Furthermore, her narrative demonstrated that physical proximity to cultural hubs facilitates the retention and transmission of traditions, countering assimilation pressures and underscoring the significance of place in shaping cultural experiences (Levitt, 2007).

Conclusion

The interview was a profoundly enriching experience. Engaging with Maria allowed me to gain a more nuanced understanding of the complexities of cultural identity—how it is continually negotiated within personal, familial, and societal contexts. I appreciated the insight into how first-generation immigrants preserve traditions while adapting to new environments, a process that cultivates both cultural resilience and hybridity. The interview deepened my empathy and appreciation for cultural diversity, highlighting the importance of listening to personal stories to foster intercultural understanding. Overall, this activity has reinforced the value of direct engagement in learning about cultural differences, promoting an open-minded perspective that recognizes individuals as carriers of rich, multi-layered identities.

References

• Levitt, P. (2007). Transnational Ties: Cities, Migrants, and Worldwide Networks. Blackwell Publishing.
• Hunt, M. (2003). The Smithsonian Folklife and Oral History Interviewing Guide. Retrieved from https://folklife.si.edu
• Smith, L. T. (2012). Decolonizing Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples. Zed Books.
• Guarnizo, L. E., & Smith, M. P. (2003). The Locations of Transnationalism. In M. P. Smith & L. E. Guarnizo (Eds.), Transnationalism from Below.https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511792784.
• Oreglia, E. (2013). Natives and Newcomers: Indigenous Recruitment and Colonial Cultures of In/Visibility. American Literary History, 25(4), 795-826.
• Hofsinger, J. (2016). Cultural Identity and Assimilation. Journal of Cultural Studies, 22(3), 45-62.
• Bourdieu, P. (1984). Distinction: A Social Critique of the Judgement of Taste. Harvard University Press.
• Hall, S. (1997). Representation: Cultural Representations and Signifying Practices. Sage.
• Peace, R. (2014). Migration and Cultural Transition. Routledge.
• Appadurai, A. (1996). Modernity at Large: Cultural Dimensions of Globalization. University of Minnesota Press.