Exploring Culture Through Food: A Personal Reflection

Part A

Discussion questions

Where are you really from? It’s a question that immigrant communities of color across different generations are asked all the time. In this audio and video series, they take back the narrative and answer that question on their own terms, one conversation at a time — with family, friends, and experts. These are their stories. https://www.npr.org/2021/06/01/996412589/where-we-come-fromLinks to an external site.

EMILY KWONG: A Daughter’s Journey To Reclaim Her Heritage LanguageLinks to an external site.

CÉSAR MAGAÑA LINARES: As Temporary Protected Status Shifts, One Activist Deals With UncertaintyLinks to an external site.

COLETTE BAPTISTE-MOMBO: An Immigrant Family Navigates Generational TraumaLinks to an external site.

PRIYA KRISHNA: Priya Krishna And Her Mom Explore ‘Indian-ish’ FoodLinks to an external site.

LUVVIE AJAYI JONES: Luvvie and Tiffany Aliche discuss the stories behind their names (on the Code Switch podcast)Links to an external site.

Choose three (of the five) above-listed stories and view their videos and/or listen to the podcasts. Then, write at least a one-page paper discussing how you would respond to the question, “Where are you really from?” What was your reaction to the three stories you listened to, and what insights did you gain from the stories? How can you apply your insights to working with diverse teams?

Part B

Discussion Questions: (Draw from the text and the videos when answering the questions)

1. Are you publicly communicating the fact that diversity and inclusion are valued? What could you do to increase your communication on that front? Are you focused on equity or equality? What is the difference between the two? Why is creating equity important for our society?

2. Create goals for increasing diversity and inclusion in yourself and your organization. Brainstorm a list of activities that will help you become a more inclusive person. Then, brainstorm a list of ideas for activities that might work for your organization.

3. Create an inclusifying action plan for the organization you work for or are a member of. What type of organization do you want to create, and why is it important? What do you need to do to successfully create change? What are your goals, and how will you know when they are achieved? What is the timeline for creating and measuring change?

4. Retake the Inclusify Leadership QuizLinks to an external site. and compare it against your scores from Module 1.

· What was your Meritocracy Manager Score?

· What was your Optimist Score?

· What was your Inclusifyer Score?

· What was your Culture Crusader/ Team Player Score?

· What was your White Knight/ Shepherd Score?

· Did your scores change, if so how?

· What is one thing you learned about yourself from reading the Inclusify book?

https://drstefjohnson.com/matrix/

https://drstefjohnson.com/matrix/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ft4LGcH9cM&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fcanvas.asu.edu%2F&source_ve_path=OTY3MTQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deYUUfak08Y&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fcanvas.asu.edu%2F&source_ve_path=OTY3MTQ

https://www.npr.org/2021/06/25/1010399875/where-we-come-from-by-any-other-name

https://www.npr.org/2021/06/22/1006770420/priya-krishna-indian-ish-food

https://www.npr.org/2021/06/16/1006269403/civil-rights-generational-trauma-story

https://www.npr.org/2021/06/08/1000925607/as-temporary-protected-status-shifts-one-activist-deals-with-uncertainty

https://www.npr.org/2021/06/01/1000922653/a-daughters-journey-to-reclaim-her-heritage-language

Part C

Becoming culturally competent involves leaving your comfort zone, experiencing new cultures, and trying new things. For this week’s extra credit, you are to try a new type of food. It can either be something you cook or at a restaurant. However, it must be something that you have never tried before. The idea is to step outside your comfort zone and try something new.

Take a picture of the food that you cooked or purchased and write a minimum of a one-page explanation of the food and your reaction to it. Do you try new things often, or is trying new foods something you wouldn’t normally do? Did you like the food? Do a little bit of internet research to accompany your experience and read about the history and culture of the food. What did you learn from this assignment that you can apply to working with diverse teams?

· One idea is to take an online cooking course (and choose a cuisine that you have never cooked before): https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/g32291613/best-online-cooking-courses/Links to an external site.

· If choosing a restaurant, you can search Yelp by the type of food and read the reviews before you go.

Reclaiming Identity: Insights from Immigrant Narratives”

Guidelines:

1. Choose three of the five listed stories and watch/listen to their videos/podcasts.

2. Write at least one page discussing:

   • How you would respond to the question, “Where are you really from?”

   • Your reactions to the three stories.

   • Key insights gained from the stories.

   • How these insights can be applied when working with diverse teams.

3. Use direct examples or quotes from the podcasts/videos to support your discussion.

4. Focus on cultural awareness, empathy, and inclusivity in your reflection.

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Part B: Diversity, Inclusion, and Leadership Goals

Suggested Title:
“Advancing Equity and Inclusion in Personal and Organizational Practices”

Guidelines:

1. Address each discussion question in detail:

   • Public communication of diversity and inclusion; focus on equity vs. equality.

   • Create personal goals and organizational goals for diversity and inclusion.

   • Develop an action plan for inclusifying your organization:

     • Type of organization you want to create

     • Steps needed for change

     • Goals, measurement, and timeline

   • Compare your Inclusify Leadership Quiz scores from Module 1 and this module, reflect on any changes, and what you learned about yourself.

2. Include citations from readings, videos, and the Inclusify book where appropriate.

3. Recommended length: ~2–3 pages.

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Part C: Cultural Competence through Food Experience (Extra Credit)

Guidelines:

1. Try a new type of food (cooked at home or from a restaurant).

2. Take a photo of the food.

3. Write at least one page describing:

   • The food and your reaction

   • Your comfort level with trying new foods

   • Taste, texture, and overall experience

   • Research about the food’s history and cultural significance

   • Insights on how this experience can be applied to working with diverse teams

4. Focus on cultural competence, open-mindedness, and experiential learning.

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