Cultural Diversity Novel Study Assignment: The Kite Runner - Essay Example

Prior to reading the novel, what were your general ideas and perceptions pertaining to the life and culture in Afghanistan? Describe briefly at leastthree perceptions that you held and believed pertaining to the way of life; values adhered to, the quality of life, etc. of the people of Afghanistan. I believed that Taliban, who are known as Muslims, respect the minorities of the country. They gave them equal rights; they provide protection to every single individual in the country without any discrimination. I believed that they followed what Islam proposed to them and that people in Afghanistan gave respect to each other especially children, woman and old citizens. Moreover, I believed that they treated everyone with gentleness and politeness. Whenever I heard of Afghanistan, the first thing came into my mind is extremism and life with fear. I believed that there were only few people who live there, who can cope with Taliban’s and there rituals. A general perception about the people of Afghanistan was that they can either be the informers or who like to tie a bomb around there waist and commit suicide while killing hundreds of children, men and women. I pertained that people of Afghanistan ate mostly not that literate; I believed that they probably do not even know what the college is and a college look like. Another thing which I believed was that, people of Afghanistan are poor, as they do not have an established economy so they might live in tents or small houses with usually two bedrooms. I also perceived them to be so poor that they cannot even bear a piece of bread without labouring for the whole day. Describe briefly how you feel that reading the novel has challenged or changed your previous conceived beliefs in question #1. By studying the novel, it has been cleared that it is the nation of Pashtuns. The Pashtuns believe that they are the true Afghanis, “the pure Afghans” ( Page 22, Paraagraph 6, line 1 to 2) and other minorities like Hazara. Pashtuns believe that they are a shame to their country and they should be demolished. The major population of Afghanistan is Sunni Islam approximately 80%-89% and 10% to 11% Shies’ Islam. So, maybe that is the reason they do not consider shies’ Islam as Afghanis. After studying the novel I came to know that there are not just the extremists who live there. There are also such families living, who are pretty elite and well educated; normal happy families also live there under their own conditions. They do not bother about what tailbans say; what they believe is they are free nation and they have the right to do whatever they want and go where ever they want without even being bullied by some tailban crew. By the help of the novel I came to know that it is not a place of poor only. There are businessman, pilots, and engineers as well. They have a good heart, they help others when someone needs them and they do not bother about the rest, because they believe they have to depart this mortal world. Briefly describe your personal reaction to the novel. Discuss elements of the story where you felt that your own values conflicted with those of the characters in the novel. Amir was secretive and he was a selfish boy. He just tried to find out his benefits from everything. He did not care about other people and their feelings; he was simply a materialistic boy. Even when he knew he has done something terrible he did not spit it out. He did not even bother to be pleased by the people who cared and sacrificed for him. Amir’s father was also an egotistic person. All he cared about was his status. That was the reason why he always tried that Amir should be like him. Even without knowing what his son wanted to become. The novel tells us some bitter truths that no one speaks out. The main was our behaviour towards minorities and weak people. We always try to bully them; we want them to get off our country. Without even considering that it is their right, as per the constitution and laws of any country, that all the minorities and majorities of the country live independently being a part of it. Furthermore, the sense of superiority that surrounded Amir, conflicts with my down-to-Earth and equality based values. In North American society in general, discuss similar groups/segments of society where you feel that two different groups of people are treated differently based upon lines of gender, ethnicity, wealth, political affiliation, race, religion, etc. similar to the Pashtuns and the Hazaras. How will this impact you in your works a future child and youth worker? In North America there are different people from different cultures, including European, Dutch, German, Canadian, Indian, Pakistani and many others from different religion, ethnicity, cultures and nations. In North America there are people who are treated differently just because of their race, wealth and affiliation. Like as we can see that in North America, African-Americans were not well treated they are treated much like Hazars in Afghanistan. They are not considered a part of the country; they are not treated equally; although they are the largest racial minority in USA. Most of the African Americans living in the U.S.A are descendent of enslaved Africans and hence, are considered inferior. The Mexicans are also not treated fairly; they have been discriminated on the basis of race, language, culture. It has been noticed that whenever there is a downfall in the economy of America the minorities are the ones who suffer the most. They lose their jobs and are even deported back to their countries. Because Americans believe that it is not the country for hessians’, African-Americans, Asians, Mexicans and other minorities. They believe that minorities are the reason of economy downfall; and they are the one who need to be abolished from the job. One main reason of this discrimination is illegal immigration. This kind of attitude can cause a lot of problems and can also lead to the civil war. It will ultimately increase the gaps between the people living in the society and will cause panic and chaos. Like any other person living in the society, I will have to face the consequences of the loath that is emerging in the minorities. The discrimination by people is leading towards worsening relationships between culturally diverse people. In the modern globalized environment, people come from different regions and negativity in their minds affect their decisions, ideas and perceptions pertaining to the native citizens. In your own words, describe a time when Amir was faced with decision that would forever change his life. What were his options? How did he make his decision, For example, what influenced his actions? How did his actions forever affect his life? The decision of saving Hassan from Assef at the evening of kite fighting tournament was difficult and life changing. When Hassan was being harassed by Assef and his friends, Amir was standing in the alley but he did not help (page 39). He even forgot and ignored the day when Hassan stepped in to save him from Assef. He did so, because he considered Hassan as a prop, which will help him to earn his father heart and attention (43). He just stepped away from the alley without even considering the pain Hassan had to bear. Although he left Hassan alone, when he needed him the most, that guilt bothered him for a long time. The felling that he could help him but he did not followed him throughout his life; he stepped back just because he was a self-centred person, who only cared about himself. In addition, Hassan’s loyalty also bothered him because he did not talk to anyone about the incident and he used to work in the same manner as he was supposed to. Hassan demonstrated tremendous loyalty and resilience throughout the novel. What values were inherited in his decision to accept responsibility for the items belonging to Amir being found in the hut? Why would he jeopardize the safety and security of his family knowing that they would have to leave? Hassan was a loyal fellow who always proved himself at every single stage of life. He believed that Amir is his best friend so he always tried to help him and cheer him up. When Amir’s belongings were found in their hut he took the blame on himself; because he knew that if he refuses Amir will be the one to be accused. Hence it stood like a last sacrifice that Agha gave to save Amir(57) . He believed that they both are brothers as they both are fed by the same mother so it was his responsibility to save Amir. Hassan knew that Amir was there and he saw when Assef and his friends were harassing him; and he also knew that this was what bothered Amir. He decided to take this step so he does not become a pain for Amir. How will you as a future child and youth worker ensure that in reaching out to families of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds that you remain effective and sensitive to their needs? The basic thing required for the task is to study about the norms and the culture of the audience because by this way you can create a relationship of trust and understanding with them. I would develop initial understanding of people’s backgrounds and cultures to work with them efficiently and understand their psychological, social, religious and cultural needs. I will try to validate the culture of the adult by showing active involvement in his ethnic and cultural norms. In addition, I will try to indulge them in conversation with patience so that I can have their time and will try to find out the roots of the problems that they face. Knowledge about their social and cultural values would help in developing a trusting, respectful and strong relationship. I would be able to gain their attention by involving myself in their cultural and social traditions. I would gain their trust and be able to understand their issues. This will help my work easier and effective. Reference: Hosseini, Khaled. Novel the kite runner. Posted to alt. Binaries.e-book 12/03/2005 Read More