Day 28

Hope all went well with the beginning of your paper. If you have any questions or concerns with the paper, please email me at kaym@huronvalley.k12.mi.us

On to today's thought:

We are so lucky to live in a country where we are not worried about being forced out of our cities or states. Imagine for a moment being persecuted because of your beliefs or values and having someone tell you that you have to move away from all your friends and family because of this. How would this make you feel? How do we create a world where this is not a reality?

Day 27

Thank you for indulging me in the watching of "Fiddler on the Roof." I truly hope that there was a clear understanding of the cultural aspects of the movie and how it fit in with the cultural unit.

So, Tevye allowed his two older daughters to choose their husbands. Why did he not allow his third daughter do the same when she wanted to marry the non-Jewish young man? What does this say about the difference between cultural shift vs. cultural change? Within your culture, do you have beliefs or traditions that cannot change for it may harm the culture as a whole?

Day 26

Another day of Fiddler. Today we really saw the idea of what happens when cultures change in regards to the whole matchmaking process. Not only did Tevye allow his daughters some choice but then we saw the whole idea of inter-dancing as well. Yet, at the same time, there were so many traditions at the wedding as well. The bride walking around the groom 7 times, the breaking of the glass at the end of the ceremony, the dancing, the toasts and the gifts. It is amazing how this culture was able to keep traditions while allowing some new ideas in as well. Juxtapose that with the reality that outside forces were beginning to come in and disrupt their way of life after them living there for so long. Why? Just because they were different than those in charge. The police chief seemed to really have a problem with what was being done to the Jews and seemed sympathetic to them yet, still followed through on the orders to raid them. Thus our questions for the evening:

Why do you think the Russian leadership was so against the Jewish people and their way of life? If you were the policeman what would've you done after being given the orders to raid? Why do you think he did it even though he did not want to? What do you think his relationship with Tevye and the Jews will be after this experience?

Day 25

Another day of "Fiddler on the Roof." I hope you are clearly understanding the purpose of the cultural aspects of the movie and the themes which have been discussing for the entire semester. We will have specific questions based on this later as we come to completion of the movie.

Today, please respond to the following:

If I were stranded on a deserted island the 3 things I would bring would be and why?

Day 24

Today we began watching "Fiddler on the Roof." I am sure that you agree that while it is cheesy there is value in the understanding of culture. I want you to think about the whole idea of matchmaking. Could you even imagine being told who you are going to marry and when? Yet, in many societies this was the system for centuries and in a few it still is. What do you think may be the advantages of this system and why do you think culture has shifted away from such a practice?

Day 23

Hopefully, you understood why we did these presentations. Each country is unique in what it does for it's people and the history that it shares with them as well. People are inclined to feel a connection to the country they grow up in and to create some of their values and cultural expectations based on their country of origin. Some countries are stronger in making that connection yet, as can be seen through the presentations, there is not a country out there that does not have pride.

Please respond to the following quote:

“The real hero is always a hero by mistake; he dreams of being an honest coward like everybody else.”
Annonymous

Day 22

We have spent the last two days listening to people do presentations about several countries (and will finish up tomorrow). Why is this cultural so important to the aspects of not only World Literature but of world citizenry?