This week w
e visited an agency called SEDESOL. It is a department of social development. A representative for the agency, and one who operates the programs, spoke to us about what SEDESOL does. His name was Carlos Cortes. He spoke about one program that operates day-cares. He said that many women bring their children with them to work in markets. The children are set on the ground and many get sick, but the parents have no where else to send them. SEDESOL creates places for children to go. Mr. Cortes said that with this program more children have the opportunity to stay healthy (and the parents do not have to pay) and the parents are able to get more work done. [1]
José Luis Morán, Carlos Cortes y Paula Armas.
They all work for the agency SEDESOL.
Another lesson in culture that has been repeated over and over in this semester is that not all people speak directly. If you are invited to a party and are not able to attend, well, that´s okay, but just say “Yes, I will see you there.” It seems like a lie, but really it´s a great way to be kind!
A more important lesson is that many people in the Mexican culture speak in a circular fashion. Let´s pretend that you want to know where the corn came from that you are eating. You question your friend´s mom, who is from Mexico. It is very possible that instead of just saying that she got it from her garden, she will began by telling you about her ancestors and how hard they worked to grow the delicious, hormone-free corn that you are now eating. She may go into much more detail, because it is a very important part of her culture. I give you this example because I want you (ustéd or tú) to realize that many people from cultures other than your own (or even your own) may not get straight to the point when you ask a question. But I tell you, please don´t forget to listen. If you start to get bored…STOP!!! You may be missing some very valuable information, just in a different form than you are used to.
To end, I shall ask you a couple of questions. Where are your ancestors from? Think hard. Did they come over to the U.S.A. from Norway? Germany? Ireland? Let´s not forget our own history. Most of our ancestors emigrated over to the U.S.A. We are products of immigration. Let´s not forget that. Let´s make all immigrants feel at home, just like we feel at home.
A more important lesson is that many people in the Mexican culture speak in a circular fashion. Let´s pretend that you want to know where the corn came from that you are eating. You question your friend´s mom, who is from Mexico. It is very possible that instead of just saying that she got it from her garden, she will began by telling you about her ancestors and how hard they worked to grow the delicious, hormone-free corn that you are now eating. She may go into much more detail, because it is a very important part of her culture. I give you this example because I want you (ustéd or tú) to realize that many people from cultures other than your own (or even your own) may not get straight to the point when you ask a question. But I tell you, please don´t forget to listen. If you start to get bored…STOP!!! You may be missing some very valuable information, just in a different form than you are used to.
To end, I shall ask you a couple of questions. Where are your ancestors from? Think hard. Did they come over to the U.S.A. from Norway? Germany? Ireland? Let´s not forget our own history. Most of our ancestors emigrated over to the U.S.A. We are products of immigration. Let´s not forget that. Let´s make all immigrants feel at home, just like we feel at home.
Human sculpture of someone crossing the border (the box).
She (the immigrant) is being pushed and pulled by people in the U.S. and in Mexico.
Life is not easy. We can be a support and make it easier.
[1] Carlos Cortes, representative of the SEDESOL agency (social development); presentation on March 12, 2008 at the SEDESOL agency in Cuernavaca, Morelos.
-By Christina Olson
3 comments:
Thanks for posting these informative and fascinating reflections and beautiful photos -- it made me yearn to be back for a visit and reminded me of the caring, warm, welcoming, and creative people of Mexico. I also appreciated the Spanish lessons -- please keep them simple, too!
With much gratitude to you all for sharing your learning,
Tony Bibus, Augsburg College Social Work Dept.
I really liked your little leson on culture. The difference in culture relates to the A and B cultural differneces we have been learning about in SWK 280.In the western culture that we are used to we tend to speak directly, while many other cultures (type B) tend to attach a story to everything, or may not communicate as directly. It is these little differences that can often make a difference in how others percieve you. In the US it would be rude to not show up to a party if you said you would be there.
Grace, Augsburg College
Thank you for the post! Other cultures is probably my favorite thing to learn about. First, the SEDESOL program sounds really amazing. That is awesome that they have this. Second, I find that very interesting about the party invitation. That just shows how different cultures are because here that would be considered rude or offensive. I also think it is really cool that with each question you get a brief history lesson--it makes me want to go there and ask a billion questions. Thank you so much for sharing!
Katrina Hadler, Augsburg College
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