Cultural Collage

Mackenzie Howie

EDU 280

Section 1001

February 10, 2017

 In 1955, my father was born in Calgary, Alberta. Two years later, my mother was

born in Florida. My father spent time between Calgary and Arizona while growing up

before settling in Nevada. My mother spent a fair amount of her life in Virginia before

moving to New Mexico for school, and then later to Nevada for further education. As far

back as my family goes, my culture has been blandly white. There is Irish, Scottish,

and a little Norse in my heritage. I was raised with and still have a ridiculous amount of

privileges that have come with my ethnicity and culture: financially, socially, and even

with healthcare. However, being of American culture has been a tad myopic. No one has

ever forced me to look at my privileges and we get such saturated media in this country.
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My family has forged its own culture in the salad bowl of the States. It is a family

tradition to learn Latin-based languages as my mother studied Latin as a child and my

father was taught French as a second language. Because of this, Ive studied French,

Spanish and Italian, as well as playing with writing in Latin. Reading has always been

encouraged with my 1st library card at 2 & 1/2yrs (I only got to check out books one time

because I didnt want to give them back when they were due, Im told). I was read to

every night as part of my bedtime ritual. My parents were always willing to buy me as

many books as I wanted. I recognize the great privilege in that. Ongoing education in

whatever form has always been encouraged.

I am a dual citizen (both Canadian and American) and have been to Canada on

multiple occasions, mostly western Canada. Ive loved the culture Ive experienced there.
There is an openness and awareness of other people as strangers greet one another and

are polite and courteous in use of public transportation and service interactions. Buildings

are often very old and always repurposed as recycling and conservation are embedded in

Canadian culture.
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A large part of my familys culture is acceptance and support. I was taught that all

humans are equal and all deserve to be treated the same. From a young age, I knew no

matter what my sexual orientation or religion turned out to be, Id be loved by my

parents. This is another privilege Im aware not everyone has. In fact, exploring those

things was very supported as I grew up. My family lineage is generally Anglican or

Presbyterian. My parents were neither, and never pursued any specific religion. Their

main spiritual tenet is the Golden rule: do unto others, as you would have them do unto

you. Thanks to their open views, I developed my own spiritual belief system as a teenager

and have been a devout Pagan since.

 The year I was born, 1990, the US went to war with Iraq after Kuwait was

invaded. I cant help but think that has an impact on the way my parents raised me

politically. I knew from early on that many politicians sought money, not the good of

humanity. By age 10, I was entrenched in the world of politics and saw myself as a

warrior for equality. However, I have not been made to face many adversities because of

my ethnicity/culture. Due to my skin color, most of my beliefs are considered the norm

and so there hasnt been much adversity with my beliefs and society. In a private 7th Day

Adventist school, I was surrounded by a narrow and relatively negative worldview and a

judgmental and excluding religion. It inspired a rebellion in me and shaped who I am,

further contributing to my warrior for equality passion. I have been told to go back to

Canada, but thats usually after someone hears my political thoughts and knows I have

Canadian blood.

Perhaps because of the way I was raised, I have more of an open mind towards

films from other countries. Movies have always been my life, but Ive never had to limit

my choices. French directors, German directors, and Japanese directors: my parents

encouraged it all. Film enlarged my view of the world. I was encouraged to write (in any

language I could muster) and to read as much as I could, about anything I liked.

The only bias I remember from childhood was against people who seem more

interested in hurting people than helping them. I was always aware of wanting to fight for

those who were demonized by society. Both of my parents have careers in the social

sciences (mental health) and have spent their lives trying to help anyone the world has

turned its back on. This has been passed onto me as a desire to teach. Theyve changed

the world by helping the mentally ill and have made me want to change the world, but not
through therapy or even running a mental health agency. I want to reach childrens

psyches through education, regardless of mental status. Children need someone who

believes in them no matter what, and that is what I was raised to do.

My personal cultures background is very white and fairly American. Working

class folks, trying to raise families and have happy, healthy children. My parents and

other role models work became less about making money and more about having a

helpful impact on the world. And theyve passed that onto me. So, as much as I feel like

we lack a bit of culture, my parents made their own and have aided me in making my

own.

Photos:
1
Assortment of Canadian cash and coins
2
Altar to multiple deities from everyone in my family (set up in living room). Crosses

many religions and faiths.