# data[].attributes.body
Reflection on our second session of the Classroom with a view on the world project

Today’s session was about the meeting of other cultures and the danger of the single story, or grand narrative.

We learned/discussed that it’s easy to see people from a certain culture in a certain way, especially if you just look at the most obvious characteristics of such a society or culture. Once you start looking at culture as the way in which people communicate with an relate to each other, it because harder to maintain a stereotypical image of such a culture.

It’s also for this reason a good idea to visit and look at other cultures in the actual regions where those cultures originate from. You can’t learn as much about a culture by looking at how people from such a culture interact with each other, while they are becoming integrated into you own society and culture as you can from visiting their culture and looking at their interactions without the distortion from them being displaced and living in a new society.

While walking in the museum I kept thinking about the Palestinian poet that Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie mentions in her story and his remark that the easiest way to dispossess a people is to tell their story and start with “secondly”. Every story changes depending on which point in time you choose as the starting point. I was thinking about this as I walked through the museum, and heard about the inner African slave trade that preceded the transatlantic slave trade, and the founding of the colonies, the transatlantic slave trade itself, the uprises in the colonies, the abolitionist movement, the position of the church and finally the stories of actually abolishing slavery. Any of these points could have been chosen as the starting point and it would and any of those starting point tells a different story.

When I think about applying this to my teaching, I think it’s extremely relevant, simply because we as teachers are storytellers to. We weave a tale of what it means to be a physicist, or a biologist or we talk about languages and their use and history. When we tell those tales we pick a beginning, and we have to because you must start somewhere, but it’s good to realize that it is a choice, it’s not actually the only possible beginning. It’s also good to realize that the grander picture you paint with those tales, might actually change, had you chosen another starting point.

All this reminds me of the writing of Robert Jordan, who in the opening passage of one of his books wrote: “A wind rose in the Mountains. The wind was not the beginning. There are neither beginnings nor endings[]. But it was a beginning.” It’s something to take on board when teaching, you’re telling a story and it has a beginning, but this beginning is not the beginning.

# data[].attributes.body
Today we visited an elementary school. The playground was really colorful and gave off that joy that children have  here. However I have been able to check  That schools  continue to practice traditional methodologies Where the desks are perfectly lined to the blackboard.

Later we visited a museum that I removed inside. I recognize that historical memory is important because we inherit its culture, race, language and beliefs, but … would not it have been more reconciling to have made a museum dedicated to those people who have struggled to find and defend the similarities that unite all Humans?

# data[].attributes.body
The word "culture" derives from a French term, which in turn derives from the Latin "colere," which means to tend to the earth and grow, or cultivation and nurture. "It shares its etymology with a number of other words related to actively fostering growth."
Cristina De Rossi, an anthropologist at Barnet and Southgate College in London

Many countries are largely populated by immigrants, and the culture is influenced by the many groups of people that now make up the country. This is also a part of growth. As the countries grow, so does its cultural diversity.
No matter what culture a people are a part of, one thing is for certain, it will change. Culture appears to have become key in our interconnected world, which is made up of so many ethnically diverse societies, but also riddled by conflicts associated with religion, ethnicity, ethical beliefs, and, essentially, the elements which make up culture," said De Rossi.  "But culture is no longer fixed, if it ever was.  It is essentially fluid and constantly in motion." This makes it so that it is difficult to define any culture in only one way.

By Kim Ann Zimmermann, Live Science Contributor

# data[].attributes.body
In session 2 we had some thoughts about culture. Culture is dynamic, we travel, we discover similarities and differences in food, habits, music, art  and so on. On the isle of Guadeloupe people from different origins live together, for instance Indians, Africans, white people from european countries etc. Because of the fact that so many people live together there are many influences which make a culture, although “ a culture” is not the correct term ; as I said : culture is dynamic, it changes all the time. An interesting fact is that similarities bring people together, differences make you learn from each other.
This was illustrated today: we visited a primary school, the classrooms are similar as in Europe, the timetables are different ( because of the climate). The art (  there were paintings on almost every wall in the school) represents the birds, the trees, the marine life so typical for Guadeloupe.
After visiting the school we went to the museum of Pointe à Pitre, a museum about slavery. Very impressing as the museum is located on a former plantation. A visit to this museum makes you feel guilty because of the awful things that happened in history.
We had lunch in a typical Guadeloupeen restaurant where we had delicious food with vegetables we don’ t have in our country .
So, today we had a great experience in differences and similarities in culture.

# data[].attributes.body
If you cannot add the text here, post it on a separate note and I will copy and paste for you.

# data[].attributes.body
Today was about cultural differences and education. We visited Grand Camp Elementary school. A very colorful place, a safe place where Guadeloupian children can be very well educated. It was nice to see, that also in Guadeloupe there is extra attention for students with special needs.

After the school visit we went to te Memorial ACTe museum. A very impressive building with an even more impressive story to tell. The story about slavery in the past and even right now got me thinking: will slavery ever be completely abolished? The stories and expositions in the museum intrigued me. How can people ever live together in good harmony if there's still so much ignorance and denial about inequality between people, races and nationalities. I think that is also something we need to learn our students: no matter where you're from or where you go, try to get to know the history and origins of the people you're with or going to meet. Understanding each others past, will lead to acceptance.

After the fascinating tour through the museum we went for some local treats: fresh fish and local vegetables. It was very lovely! I think i never ate fish this fresh before, by fresh i mean: caught the same morning!

Today again I saw and did things I will remember for a long time. My quote of the day has everything to do with our subject for tomorrow: music! Thinking about slavery and inacceptence, no one, for me, ever said it better than the great Bob Marley:

Until the philosophy which hold one race superior
And another
Inferior
Is finally
And permanently
Discredited
And abandoned -
Everywhere is war -

# data[].attributes.body
Stories matter. Many stories matter. Stories have been used to disposses and to malign, but stories  can also be used to empower and to humanize. Stories can break the dignity of a people, but stories can also repair that broken dignity (Adichie, 2009).

This quote stayed in my mind. As a teacher you can make a differance every day. In a good way and in a bad way. In an every day rush you might forget this, but it is important to remember. In the ACTe museum you get reminded of the good sides and bad sides of people. Teachers have to give the good example and teach what is right and what is wrong. In the museum we were able to see what the dark side of a person is capable of. This visit was very meaningful and impressive as it showed to me what the past and the present can mean to a person, for example my students.

After a interesting tour through a Guadeloupian school we went for a typical Guadeloupian lunch. There are no similarities with the Dutch traditional lunch, exept they are both delicious. It was great!

# data[].attributes.body
Today, we first visited a primary school. It was a very colorful school with beautiful wall paintings. Even though you're far from home you will see similarities in education. In the lower classes they still work in groups, while in the higher classes the tables are two to two. At this school I have gained ideas about what you can do with a classroom, how do you target space and how to create a cozy atmosphere.
After visiting the school we went to the Memorial ACTe museum. The museum gives you an idea of ​​the slavery that had taken place in the past and unfortunately still takes place in certain areas. Everyone should really be ashamed that this could and especially still happen. I found it very impressive and the museum gives you a good idea of ​​the circumstances in which the slaves had to work, how they lived, and how they were treated like cattle. Due to the visual effects that the museum uses, you can get a better view of what happened during that time. It not only gives you an idea of slavery but actually a much bigger problem; The difference between whites and blacks. A difference that is still visible until today all around the world.
Quote of the day: "That when we reject the single story, when we realize that there is never a single story about any place, we regain a kind of paradise".

# data[].attributes.body
Reading The Danger of a Single Story by Chimamand Ngozi Adichie really moved me but it also brought back a very specific memory. Two years ago, when there was a massive refugee move from for example Syria towards Europa, a lot of people wanted to contribute and one of these people was my Dutch neighbor whom I had known for over 15 years. During a very dull afternoon she ringed my bell, said that she was collecting food to send to refugee camps. Of course I was very happy to hear this and immediately started to think of the cans of brown beans and dried nuts I could give her. However, she surprised, well actually shocked me, when she asked: “what do you people eat?” I didn’t know what to say to her. For one, she considers Iran and Syria as the same kind of nation, with all the same kind of traditions, food and culture. Also, she had a single story about Iranian people in which we don’t eat the same normal food as her.

The other thing that really moved me today was our visit to the Memorial ACTe museum. Having read a lot of slavery during my studies I was not sure whether I was going to be surprised at all at first. Nonetheless, I was moved by the way the information was displayed and the music which added to your experience impeccably. I would definitely recommend this museum to others!

# data[].attributes.body
The self-study part of today's session was something I'm already quite familiar with. The post-modernist idea of small, local, individual narratives is something I consider essential to my own identity, and my perception of the world.

The museum we visited today showcased that danger of adhering to a grand narrative, to involve yourself only with your story, or even your nation's story. In my own country we tend to highlight the prosperity that our trading company (V.O.C. Vereenigde Oost-Indië Compagnie) brought us. It's the more positive, more favorable side of a period in our nation's history and culture  that in fact also has a much darker side. The role the Dutch played in the slavery business, in dehumanizing people from Africa, or the indigenous people of America, the 'negers', is extensive. And it is only in recent years that we are made to realize that.
The museum moved me to tears at numerous moments. However, what I enjoyed, is even though much of it focuses on oppression and pain, there are also moments, or lets say stories, of joy and tenacity.

A much brighter note, one that actually started our day, was the school we visited. Brightly colored, indisputably inspired by local culture, and yet so much more. We learned about the dragonfly, the animal the school was based on, and its meaning in local culture. A visit by the dragonfly means you will have visitors.  I enjoy that idea of a happy glimpse into the near future. And basing the school design on that idea, means that the school always welcomes visitors. It definitely welcomed us.

Quote of the day: "...when we reject the single story, when we realize that theere is never a single story about any place, we regain a kind of paradise."

# data[].attributes.body
Fusion, salad bowl or melting pot; these are just three concepts that can represent cultures and a blend thereof. We can build bridges between cultures by combining two very distinguishable cultural dishes and make a new tasty dish in which we both recognise flavours but also explore unfamiliar ones. Another option is to put different ingredients together and keep them as they are, appreciating every single difference or we could go rogue and decide to be brave and not just fuse cultural 'ingredients' together but actually blend them till we no longer recognise what it was originally and thus become one completely new culture, element, dish etc.

Over time societies have tried out these three different concepts. Some societies fuse well together; others have created separate areas for different nationalities, living together peacefully; we have also tried to mix (think of the Europeans, Asians, Africans and South Americans who now proudly call themselves American).

When I read 'The Danger of a Single Story' by Ngozi Adichie I realised that that most of us presume to know what ingredients make up someone's identity. Coming here I assumed people would be walking in traditional clothing mostly (wrong: the story goes a little differently; just normal casual wear). Another supposition of mine was that they would be living in rundown houses (ah... 1-1 for me ...  I didn't know the complete story though; living on an island makes it terribly difficult and expensive to buy paint since everything has to be imported. Combine that with the climate and we have a very reasonable explanation for the dilapidated housing ... 1-2). Even if the story I had imagined had turned out to be true it does not mean that the story cannot be changed and have another chapter added to it. Identities, lives, combinations of ingredients change, are fluid and dynamic. I have come to the realisation that my thoughts about 'others' in the broadest sense of the word should become similarly fluid.

The biggest impact though was the Memorial ACTe museum in which we could see how inhumane it is to single out one ingredient and call it inferior because of its looks. We assume it needs a little dressing. The dressing Christians chose in the 17th century was a torturous one: let's enslave people, put them to work and impose our own norms and values on them so they can benefit, i.e. taste, from our supposedly superior ingredients.

After today I still do not know which is best: fusion, salad bowls or a melting pot. Whatever option we go with I hope I will not be as picky about people as I am about my food. I can remove an ingredient I don't like from an actual salad but when it comes to society and the people around us I shouldn't be picky or fussy. On the contrary, it would serve the world and me better if I embrace differences, observe these and don't judge. The exhibition in the Memorial ACTe museum ended with a collage of pictures taken this century. They depicted current examples of slavery. How come we still have slavery? Wasn't this abolished? I was left with a lot of food for thought.

# data[].attributes.body
We went to day to the most light and colorful school I have ever seen.I loved to see how children in this part of the world go to school. The holidays were all ready started,so we couldn't see children working or playing.And I learned that children never have  a' tropical' timetable.
After the visit  to the school,we visited the Memorial Acte. It is a cultural center dedicated  to the Memory and History of slavery Trade. After 150 years after the abolition of slavery there is still much untold about the struggles and difficulties people had in this part of the world during this epoch.
Quote of the day: " The challenge of " living together" in our multicultural society implies recognition of each person's history and memory,and at the same time the sharing of a common heritage, in order to transcend past tragedies". Moussa Lye ,Unesco chief of Intercultural Dialogue Section.