Senior Citizen Interview

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Introduction Edith Fields was born on an early May morning in 1935 in Portsmouth, Virginia, the heart of the Great Depression. And 23 years before the Brown vs. Board of Education case, which outlawed school segregation in the United States. An African American woman born and raised in the United States South, her culture is one full of obstacles, rich history, and texture. From her firm religious beliefs to the way she still cooks Sunday dinners for her family every week, her culture and values are unique. I met Ms. Fields in 2016, while volunteering at the local Habitat for Humanity restore where she has been a frequent donator since she retired many years ago. I was fascinated by her firm yet kind approach to everyone she met. She displayed a no nonsense attitude and seemed to take in everyone at the store as if they were her own family member. These are only a few examples of significant parts of her culture as a working class African American and Senior …show more content…

“You don’t have to talk to us old people a certain way, because we’re the same as everyone else.” I believe as a society we have a way of discrediting the elderly, or treating them in a lesser way because of their age. It’s important to continue to give senior citizens the respect they deserve. That does not mean to ignore the issues that are unique to the group, but we must not allow it to cloud our view and influence our actions towards the group. Born in the middle of one of the worst economic crisis’s in the world, she has known a lifestyle of frugalness. A stark contrast to my generation’s culture of excess. Through talking with Edith, if I were to work with clients who were brought up in those times I’d have to ensure I was relatable and not inadvertently showy. It’s essential to establish a proper understanding of someone’s background to efficiently determine how to

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