"African Americans" and "Native Americans"

Today my Blog is about two topics and these two people are the minorities in the United States. Before I start my blog, I'll state some facts about these minorities.

African Americans: were brought by force to American continent as slaves and later they asked for freedom.

Native Americans: were the land owners and European took their land.

First of all, Joe and Karol's are African Americans in Eau Claire and they were in our class last week. They told us about their life experiences and suffering they went through. Joe is an orphan and grew up in foster care centre; I guess the same case is with Karol's (he didn’t talk much). I was amazed when Joe said that he was living in 16 houses and was only concentrating how to survive in his early stage. He also mentioned that white people stare at them and don’t like them. Plus some discrimination is going on their side. For instance, he said that the police some times disturb him and ask unnecessary questions to him. He also doesn’t take part in voting because for him it is useless. To add more, Joe cited that in his hometown people don't gaze at him as they do here.

Secondly the Native American, Professor Johnson invited a Native American to our class and his name is Adawa (not sure with the spelling). He told us that for them the 'Land' doesn’t belong to any one. When the European came they drew lines which are borders and they were not familiar with it. He also said that the north part of Eau Claire was Native Americans and the south was Europeans. But later, when the time passed the European became the dominate group and ruled the entire state. Right now they have a small area where their rules and laws are implemented. He mentioned that in that area his family with his tribe lives. They can joke a part between each other and they worship the nature. He told us that there are more than 500 tribes and 20 languages.

At the end, Europeans hands were everywhere, made people salve and native people as minority in their own land. These two groups are living in America some are happy (Native Americans) and others are unhappy (African Americans). I think all governments should be fair to their nation whether they are white or black and from different religions. Then the peace and true nation will come up.

Reference of the picture: Amazon.com

The Ropes Day

It wasn’t ordinary a day; it was full of excitement and fun day. In hidden part it was an experience and learning out door. When Professor Johnson told us that she would take us to ropes, I thought she would take us to museum. But when she displayed the pictures, I became excited because I love to try these types of things. (Adventurous things)

Personally speaking it was good for me, because my classmates knew me well and understood me too. We learnt how to build a team and trust ourselves and others.

The first game (commander & attacker) was so good, it showed us how to work in group of two and trust our partner and listen to what he/she says while our eyes are shut.

The second game (wood) was amazing. I really loved Abdul aziz idea of separation and gathering again. If we weren’t separated then lots of voices and ideas would came out. We were separated and each group came up with an idea and we shared and then we made the decision.

Last one, (spider house) was unbelievable. When the coach asked what is your aim and goal. I thought we have to open all the mesh and think of new thing. But when he said that we have to use the spaces to come out, there I was staggered for a while…

Actually I didn’t tell them that I don’t want to be carried by men but the Malaysian boys said it. And I'm really thankful to them.

This course overall told us about leadership and ’can-do’’ spirit. We figured about that there are lots of leaders between us, some are listeners, planners and others are doers and decision makers.

Thanks all

Some pictures :  

Homecoming

HOMECOMING ...
Homecoming …
What is homecoming??!!!

Some people described it as welcoming the alumni or graduated students of a university. And others said it is an excuse to be drunk.

Let me tell you how I got the meaning of the homecoming in my dorm. Before the weekend came, the mass were talking about homecoming. Some people who I know from my hall asked me what am I going to do in the homecoming, my respond was: what is homecoming and this weekend I’m going to study. They laughed and said “Hey Asya have fun, participate in the activities, and forget studies for a while”. I gazed at them for a second and waved my hand wishing them to have fun. But I didn’t actually take their advice. What I observed in the whole weekend, is that homecoming is drinking day from morning till second day, and people want to be out of their sense.

Homecoming also means American Football (Footy) and marching band. I love music so it’s obvious I liked the band a lot, but as for the footy, I went and saw the first half. The reason I didn’t continue watching footy was the weather, it was too cold and also I don’t like American football at all.  

I don’t think people in my country would be interested in homecoming. I believe it is an excuse for being drunk and they are carrying it as traditional heritage.

That’s all

Ask Americans - Interview

Immigrants are everywhere not just in the US, but the exceptional thing about US is that it wants to be a mixing pot, to combine all races, cultures... and etc.   Conversion happens and takes time, however I believe it didn’t take too long in US as other countries took or taking. For example, Muslims are allowed to live in Makka (one of the holiest place for Muslims), but they will not get the citizenship of Saudi Arabia. Last week I interviewed a student 19 years old and she is from my dorm and in the same wing.   She told me that her ancestors are originally from Norway and Germany. When I asked her who came to US from her family first, she replied that her great great grandfather came and settled in the mid west.  It's sad to hear that from her family no one speaks German or Norwegian, but her grandfather knows a little.  She also told me that her great grand father descendants had got married with Americans, who are from other countries as well.  The interviewee also added that they are not practicing any custom or traditional from her original countries; which I consider is a loss. As we all know that; each culture has a unique touch of values which should be carried not left behind. The reason I'm saying this because I know people who are immigrants from other countries but still performing their culture and tradition in United Arab Emirates. Plus, culture is the literature and the art of a country to symbolize the country's culture where these immigrants belong.. Our conversation went on and I asked her whether she had been to her original country or any of her family members, her answer was "No" and also they didn’t contact any of their relatives back there, so in my point of view they are missing their real hereditary values and connections.  The reason behind her predecessors had came to the US was to have a better life away from hard life. We ended the interview by going to cafeteria to have our dinner.

N.B. Rundle House (Third Ward)

Here where I’m standing is the N.B. Rundle House, it is a building made late in nineteenth century.  This area reflects the wealth and achievements of some businessmen.  If you look closely you will find that it’s three story house and structural design is European style.  Plus, it was the residence of funeral director Oscar Lenmark from about 1925-48.

Culture < Vs > Institution

Culture & institution or Institution & culture, nowadays both are defining each other. First let's ask ourselves what we mean by Culture?

Culture is set of beliefs, values & behaviors worked out from man to hook up them to common group. Plus, cultures are made to differentiate people from people, at times to knot people from people.

Regarding to Institution, what is institution?

It is a building and people inside it. In other words, it is an organization built for particular purpose such as hospitals, college, Churches. To help, educate, and develop people and so on. In the institution there are multicultural people.

Now it is clear that people (culture) define the organization (institution). I my point of view, the hen came before egg. People with their culture made institutions and now the institution is defining the culture for new people with different or mixed cultures.

A Scottish historian, critic, and sociological writer had written that "Culture is the process by which a person becomes all that they were created capable of being".

In our (Muslim) holy book is written that god made diverse cultures that people to know each other, not despise each other.

So the culture built the Institution.

Likeness and Unlikeness "Students"

First let me make clear from where I'm. My country is called United Arab Emirates and the capital is Abu Dhabi and Dubai is the economic capital of the UAE.


For sure there will be more differences than similarities, because both of these countries (UAE & US) have different culture and different life style. Religion also is unlike.

In US, the education is mixed with both sexes but back to UAE it's not mixed. Only in some private education buildings you can find both female and male studying together in the same classroom, but over all they are separated. Students wear whatever they want in US, however in UAE its not, girls wear abaya (black long dress) and scarf. As for boys they wear kandoora (white long dress) or eastern clothes.

Likeness… Students are students as they are in US or in UAE. They have communities and gym to do activities.

I think students in UAE are more fashionable than in US… if you want to know why then you have to visit it.