Global Expression in Multicultural Literature: Respect

About Me

My name is Suzanne Parker-Camarena. I am from Utah and currently reside in Arizona. I am a wife to my husband and mother to our four children and “mother-lady” to my husband’s two daughters from his first marriage. I am also owned by three cats of the feline persuasion. I am a student at Grand Canyon University pursuing a Bachelor of Arts Degree with an emphasis on Professional Writing. My current course of study is Multicultural Literature. Multicultural literature is a genre of writing that is inclusive of all cultures in the world, whether they be national, religious, or language, etc. To considered global literature, the writings, feelings, and meanings are able to be related across cultural differences to draw the reader into the experience. An example of Multicultural Literature is taken from “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid:

"...this is how you sweep a corner; this is how you sweep a whole house; this is how you sweep a yard; this is how you smile to someone you don't like too much; this is how you smile to someone you don't like at all; this is how you smile to someone you like completely..."

It reminded me of how my husband's very traditional Mexican mother used to speak to her older grandchildren when they would visit her. Even as the sentence never ends in Kincaid's work, Grandma would go on and on, at times, barely seeming to take a breath between admonishments.

Multicultural Literature also blurs national boundaries by creating an avenue for all people to learn of different cultures other than their own and finding a way to possibly relate or understand more of each other. Kincaid was able to accomplish this as well because I could relate to her narrative and understand the never-ending admonitions she was listening to from who I believe to be the elder women in her life. After being reminded repeatedly to not behave like a slut, the girl questions at the very end if the baker will actually let her squeeze the loaf of bread and the response she receives made me laugh out loud because I remember hearing the same warnings and conclusions. This was the response: "...you mean to say after all you are really going to be the kind of woman who the baker won't let near the bread?"

20^th century literature related so well the many struggles we all faced for cultural identity and the ability to understand others and more of ourselves. It covers topics of religious struggle, female rights, cultural bias, extermination, and thankfully, rebirth, strength, and determination to not just survive, but thrive. The examples listed in my blog entries below are just a fraction of the global literature available to immerse oneself in. My opinions are my own and I hope in no way dissuade the reader from forming their own. It is a journey that is well worth the effort.

Saturday, December 9, 2017

Respect

The poem “Quince” tells a beautiful tale of love and respect. The imagery within the poem piqued my imagination with the back and forth of fruits to jewels. The phrase, "...it is of no equal return, but by this love will last," was poignant and telling of the feelings that existed within the relationship. There is no comparison of the tokens that were exchanged, it is all about giving and contributing equally. Each person gave their best to the relationship. There were no comparisons of the gifts, they would not be equal. The beauty was in the giving and their love and respect for each other.

Zhen’s The Story of Yingying weaves bits of insight into the romance of Zhang and Cui giving examples of the strict rules Chinese society abided by at this time of history. For example, the use of a matchmaker to connect eligible men and women, the use of Cui's servant as a liaison, sending secret messages so their families were not dishonored. But, ultimately, because of their forbidden liaison, the relationship didn’t happen. When comparing and contrasting the relationships from Quince and The Story of Yingying, the couples treated each other very differently. Cui and Zhang were more of a situation of wanting each other regardless of who they may hurt. They respected no one, least of all each other.

TASK:

Creating a Culture of Integrity in the Classroom

PLAY:

Games For Teens To Teach Respect