Professional Documents
Culture Documents
1cultural Immersion
1cultural Immersion
Continued Culture
Karen are strong, resilient people who have survived life in war zones
and refugee camps. To increase my cultural competency and recognition of
previous misconceptions about this group, I will be involved in their
community activities in Clarkston, where I would like to apply my social work
practices.
Cambodia
As a cultural plunge experience and an opportunity for exposure to a
group that is different in culture; I have chosen the Cambodian community in
Clarkston, GA (pronounced Caambodia). To gain insights into circumstances
and characteristics of the focal community, I went to talk to the elders of the
local Temple Truc Lam located on 860 N .Indian Creek, Clarkston GA. I visited
the Truc Lam Temple On Saturday, October 8th, 2016.
Prior to the Activity
I have worked as a domestic violence case manager for refugee serving
agency. I provided advocacy services and support to survivors of domestic
violence, stalking, and sexual assault or abuse, and their children, including
sex trafficking victims. Many trafficking victims were from Cambodia; my
perception was that Cambodian community is hostile to women. Although,
Cambodians are very dark skin people, they did not identify as blacks,
because of the injustices being inflicted on black members of their country.
Through work experience and as an adult, I have formed my current
viewpoint of the Cambodian community; and have not had any exposure to
this community prior to the experience on community setting.
The only portrayal that I see in the media is the movie the Killing Fields
(Warner Brothers, 1984). The movie left me with the impression that
genocide took place in Cambodia, many dead in the hands of American
military and the media has forgotten about reporting the Cambodian
genocide. . However, I am sympathetic and identified with them, over last
two decades Somalia, my country of origin struggles with clan warfare and
political radicalism; many dead including my brother.
Why You Choose to Study this Group and Your Cultural Immersion
Experience
I reside city of Clarkston, GA and the city is known for its ethnic
diversity; the local high school have students from 61 countries (Census,
2010). However, I have not noticed that there are a good number of
Cambodian refugees in Clarkston. Its a community that no one notices in the
refugee community and I want to find out their cultural values.
Miameen Muqbill
To a group that is different in culture; I have interviewed Muqbill who is
an Iraqi community leader. I met Mrs.Muqbill at her home in Decatur, GA. on
October 8th, 2016. As a cultural plunge experience and an opportunity for
exposure
Prior to the Activity
Prior the interview, I have conducted background research on my
subjects culture, religious beliefs and womens perspective on the war in
Iraq and who are Iraqi people Mainly, they are people who speak Arabic and
References
1. Adams, Bluemenfeld, et al. Readings for Diversity and Social Justice (3rd
Ed) New York, NY: Routledge.
2. Georgia Department of Public Health. Refugee arrivals by country of
origin, FY 2004-2015. WRAPS Database
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