Cultural Reporter Introduction

     Culture can be defined in many different ways. I'll use two, one has turned into a favorite of mine from Martin and Nakayama (2013), Culture is unique human efforts. People are different in nature and biology. Then another is culture being described as shared language, values, and beliefs. Cultures can be similar when certain values or beliefs are shared. That makes life so interesting when people let people in and share their own lifestyles. With that I'm decided to learn more about the Islamic community, more specifically in Lincoln. 

     I've had a few instances in my life where my culture and the Islamic culture have come together. My uncle took a business trip to the Middle East and got complimented on a Lakota bracelet he had on. He called me and asked how to introduce himself in Lakota, after he did that he got an upgraded hotel room and they ended up treating him so much better. I realized from his experience that our cultures and beliefs have a few similarities. Both believe highly in respect and peace. I learned this same thing last year. 

     I was working at Goodrich Middle School, my classroom was kind of like a safe place for students to go when in trouble or in need of help. One day I looked up in my classroom and I had 18 Muslim kids, it was when the Boston bombings happened. They all looked either sad or pissed. I put my room on lock down and let each one vent individually. I ended up learning a lot about the Islamic community in Lincoln. It was unfortunate circumstances though.

     To learn about this culture I would like to try and interview a few of my former students. I think learning from all generations will be very beneficial as they are in different social groups. I would like to talk to a few people involved in the Muslim Student Association. Then to really attempt to get immersed into the community I would like to visit the Islamic Foundation of Lincoln a few times. I think I could learn a lot by getting a chance to observe and talk with many people there. I may try and attend one of their Islamic Sunday classes they have for children.