Dennis CP#1

I was somewhat nervous about the first Cultural Workshop, not knowing what to expect or how things would go. We soon arranged ourselves into groups and I found myself with fellow classmates Luther, Juliana, and Gabriela, as well as CIES students Rosanna, Mohammed, and Ahmed. We were encouraged to think about ways we identify ourselves to others, and to think about a few questions about common American customs. At this beginning stage, everyone was a little shy to open up about themselves, but everyone was courteous and polite. When thinking about the questions we were going to ask, it became difficult to think in terms of what being American really represents. For instance, when I think of current hot topics in America, I think of transgender bathroom laws, gun violence, and the inexplicable rise of Donald Trump, things that I am baffled by and could not reasonably explain with any confidence to someone looking to gain insight into American culture. Another question about popular food dishes led me to think of American fast food: hamburgers, fries, pizza, shakes. I suppose many of my own ideas about my own country had been reinforced by stereotypes. I also acknowledged that the Saudi Arabian members of our group might be sensitive to certain ideas of American culture, such as the transgender subculture, or the idea of atheism, or the ultra-casual dating culture. Such ideas would probably seem repellent to someone raised in an Islamic household, but one of the things I find truly beautiful about America is the level of diversity, multiculturalism, and solidarity among different walks of life.