Multicultural Reflection Paper

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Multiculturalism is a difficult field of study that can be closely observed in areas all around us. Culture is the traditional practice of customs and activities to a specific nation, people, or group. Looking at (1) assimilation/acculturation, (2) Issue surrounding the “Other,” and (3) Social structure, can help us understand how the “Problem of different” cultures coexist and collide in the polish communities of Chicago and the rest of the world.

Assimilation/Acculturation is the process of acquiring the social or psychological characteristic of a group that is different from your own. As America continues to increase in cultural diversity, people must learn to expand past the comfort of their own traditions. Takaki says how immigrants have …show more content…

(Takaki 1993:436) Comparing this quote to my field site made me reflect on the people that I saw. Going into the “Polish Triangle” I envisioned seeing a lively neighborhood filled with polish business’s ran by polish migrants. To my surprise, I saw a declining area of business that was practically empty. Granted that it was around noon on a random winter weekday, I was still let down by the condition that this once polish dominant area was in. While a beautiful fountain and theatre was at the center of this triangle, there was also a handful of buildings that were vacant. I looked around to see the types of people in my vicinity: white, black, and Hispanic. Clearly this area is not completely bare, but it certainly makes me wonder why it is having such a noticeable culture shift. Blauner writes about how immigrant groups enter a new society voluntarily, though they may be pushed out for economic or political reasons. (Blauner 1994:236) When talking to a street vendor by the name of Roman, I asked him what he thought about the change in this neighborhood from dominantly polish to racially diverse. His take was that this area was never a rich one, but instead a haven for first generation polish immigrants to live amongst one another. When …show more content…

Juniors social structure stuck out to most at his new school due to the reservations cultural norms. (Sherman 2007:11) These structures are typically culture specific and difficult to combine with any conflicting cultural group. Chicago Culture Studies Group writes how there are so many diverse cultural identities that it makes it extremely difficult for them to get along. (CCSG 1992:54) The reason why Chinatown is so dominantly Asian is because of their unique architecture, food, interests, and more. They may get a lot of tourist to visit the area, but most locals reside there because of the specific social structure that is in place. The polish triangle however has lost it original social structure due to the new generation not having a deep connection with their cultural roots, leaving the area vacant for a new structure to develop. When asking Roman where polish people have moved to, he told me multiple places. He said how some have completely moved out of the polish neighborhoods but talks about how due to polish peoples lack of knowledge in transferring train stop, there are multiple neighborhoods off varies blue line stops. (Roman 2/16) He told me to check out the “Polish Village” on Milwaukee and see for myself. Walking down the street of the polish village was an amazing sight. Looking around I saw multiple authentic restaurants, a polish deli, polish clothing stores, and so much

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