Where I Am From

I am from the front porch swing, from Barbie and Bandaids.

I am from cozy, memory making moments, and Saturday morning pancakes.

I am from homegrown sunflowers and natural beauty that silences your soul.

I am from birthday parties and uncles’ crazy love, from Pa and Grandma, and my two incredible parents who still love each other for better or for worse.

I am from Fourth of July camping trips and family beach vacations.

From “You are pretty on the outside, but even more beautiful on the inside.” and “Make good choices.”

I am from the church pew, Sunday School, Church Camp, and Chi Alpha events and friendships that have changed me forever.

I'm from good ole’ Fairmont and traces of Scotland and Native American, from Mama’s made from scratch chocolate chip cookies and eating funnel cakes beside a campfire.

From the 70 family members singing songs together in the living room at Thanksgiving, sister weather reports in bathing suits and , and Pa making the sound of a train whistle.

I am from boxes in the basement and bookcase photo albums. I am from family love that grows deeper and stronger than the pine tree in Grandma’s backyard.

I am from family.

Cultural Difference & Cultural Deficit

Which video reflects a cultural difference perspective and which video reflects a cultural deficit perspective? How do you know?

I feel like the FOX News video reflected a cultural difference perspective and the What Matters video reflected a cultural deficit perspective. The teacher and students from the FOX News video recognized that they had a different cultural language and were striving to better their use of Standard American English. The people involved in the discussion on the What Matters talk show discussed how and possibly why people either accept or refuse to adapt to using Standard American English in professional settings and then using the language that they are most comfortable speaking with their friends or at home; this is also known as code switching. Some people do use code switching because they see importance in speaking Standard American English in professional settings and then falling back to their most comfortable language when with their friends and/or family. On the contrary, others feel that they should not have to switch back and forth between different languages because they are who they are and that is just how it is for everyone or they do not use code switching because they have not been educated to speak Standard American English. People that disagree with code switching have a cultural deficit perspective. They do not have enough education and/or motivation to speak Standard American English; they believe that their way of speaking is the best and most comfortable for them and everyone should just accept that language.