Often when one comes to a new country or area, there are differences. Language, Customs, Traditions - all have different personalities based on the many different backgrounds. These marginalized people are always pushed into a dark, dusty corner, and never given a chance to flourish.
This weekend, my mother let me accompany her to a small dinner with one of her former student's family. This family was recently new to America: they had been here for only three years. Their story is opposite of this norm. When they arrived, they came with two other families, both of which are back in their native country. They could not handle the dark corner. My mother's student, however, was allowed 'sanctuary' in her classroom and thrived. From not speaking a word of English, he has morphed into a baseball all-star and a double-advanced math whiz. His English problem? Gone.
Similarly, Giovanni in her piece, Sanctuary: For Harry Potter the Movie, unites marginalized people of all backgrounds and provides them with sanctuary. She makes everyone equal in her temple and makes them feel accepted, nurturing them with similar experiences. They become pillars of support. She tears down the walls of differences and shines the light of strength.
I am not saying that all someone needs is nurturing. One also needs the inner strength to accept who they have left behind them in order to metamorphose; they need the strength to push past the dirt of past stereotypes and break into the open, endless world.
Even though roots can come from many different places, types, and traditions; they still need the same care and acceptance as others. They "[live], like all of us" (Giovanni, line 37). The only thing that is different: the way we blossom into who we are.
I agree with your post on how people break out of stereotypes and form new identities. I like how you tied in a real-world experience with Giovanni's piece! Great post. :)
ReplyDeleteI did agree with what you said about acceptance. However, being someone who had been through the same problems your mother's student has been through, English is a key component to actually being accepted; afterall, it's the tool used to communicate with others in the country. You did mention them needing the strength to push away the stereotypes, but this is the key component to becoming accepted; nurturing is only a side dish.
ReplyDelete