My Dominant White Culture

In my culture, the environment is clean. We have clean houses, clean community spaces, and clean schools. We tend to avoid places that are dirty. The housing is generally sufficient for our needs, and we have compassion for those whose living spaces are not suitable for their lifestyle. Yet no person in my culture would offer their home or car to someone who needed it more. Appearance is extremely important in my culture.

The people in my culture are expected to dress neat and clean. It doesn't have to be the latest style, but clean and neat is appropriate. Those who do dress in the latest style seem to command more respect from the others. Those who don't dress in accordance with these rules are not ostracized but pitied. Usually, the hair styles grow shorter with age.

Most women are expected to wear make-up, the men are not. Women are expected to but not required to have large breasts, slim figures, small features (hands, feet, and noses), straight teeth, and a healthy tan. Men are usually required to have a flat stomach, bulging biceps, thick, full hair, straight teeth, and, of course, a healthy tan. Although many people of my culture do not fit these images, most try in one way or another to achieve these standards of appearance. Those who can achieve these standards are usually respected and revered. These people are often featured in the media and interviewed on how they accomplished this goal of appearance.

The language of my culture is English. Many speak other languages and are respected for taking the time to do so. This culture originated in Europe and sailed across the Atlantic Ocean. There are many different cultures represented in my culture, but we are generally white an...

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My school experiences were very diverse. Many of my friends came from cultures other than my own. Many students from differing cultures graduated with highest honors and received scholarships. They had to learn to work hard and to value knowledge just like I did. It is unfortunate that many of us had to conform to the mold set by the school in order to be successful though.

School reinforces the values dominant in society. If the society is dominated by one particular culture then every student must learn those values. Luckily, many cultures share values and ideas, but unfortunately, many do not. Conflict is the result of our diversity and society, including those who decide the curricula for schools must compromise. Too bad it usually doesn't happen, I would like to know more about my neighbors.