Conclusion

I can say that I learned a lot from this class: Crossing Borders: Migration and Culture. I honestly feel that some of the topics we have covered has opened my eyes and ears, making me think more deeply about the realities of life. I had not been aware of the many issues we discussed in class. I like how the course was presented. I appreciate the different learning styles and techniques: poems, films, internet, text, pictures, etc. Personally, when I can visually see what is going on, I can have a better understanding, rather than just purely reading from a textbook that looks like a dictionary.

One of my favourite class discussions was the one about Guantanamo Bay. I mean, you hear so little about it, therefore no one actually knows what goes on there. I enjoyed listening deeper about facts and people’s stories. I finished watching the film, The Road to Guantanamo, at home. (Just watching the trailer made me very curious). While watching the film I felt so many things: frustrated, sad, upset, surprised, shocked, amazed, etc. I was glad to see the three individuals leave that horrible place, where they could live to tell their stories of survival. The story, Toba Tek Singh, has also stuck out in my mind. As I read the short story, I had some troubles understanding deeper meanings, but picked out what I thought it meant to me. Like Guantanamo, it is indeed sad to see innocent people locked away, being punished for things they did not do. The “lunatics” are people like you and me. They express the five senses of being a human. Although the story is not real, it truly gives meaning to what is.

The two major assignments we completed for the class were also interesting. I have said this before and will say it again...I really do enjoy learning about different cultures. I love listening to the stories people tell. I am very open in listening to different perspectives, values, traditions, thoughts, and so on. I engaged in the interview process with both: Migration Interview and Photo Documentary. Listening and asking questions was an important part of the whole process. I learned about what is significant and meaningful to others and have much respect for each of the individuals who shared their lives with me.

I am happy that Humber introduced the course as something new. I hope that it will continue to be offered to students because it presented much insight and reality of society. Migration is constant and it has been for a very long time now. It is interesting to see and now know where people go and/or why they leave. It is important for us to be aware of what is going on in the world. All in all, I am happy to have had the opportunity to be a part of this class. 

Photo-Documentary

I personally enjoyed doing this assignment. It wasn't your typical run on essay where there's scattered and/or overwhelming research. I feel that taking photographs, capturing raw images of people/places/things, made for a more fun experience. The topic I focused on had to do with migrants and meaningful connections they had from their homelands. These connections were objects and traditions brought over to Canada from back home. I really enjoy learning about different cultures and traditions and hearing stories about the past. The people I interviewed were very cooperative and happy to share their thoughts with me. The stories were interesting and made me think that although something may seem small and insignificant, it truly can have a lot more depth and meaning than thought. For example, the bell my father has from Italy. It belonged to one of his father's cows (Romanella). He holds so many childhood memories of this bell, remembering the various times and sounds.

As physical objects can be meaningful, traditions can be too. Every November, my nonna (grandmother) holds a tradition which she learned from her mother and so forth. November is "mese dei morti" (meaning, month of the dead) where you remember the loved ones who have passed. She lights a candle encased in a glass jar and places it beside the photographs of her deceased family. There are also saints and the Madonna (Mother Mary) too. The candle is lit for the entire month and is never blown out. (You would just light it again if it burns out).

These are a couple of the individuals which I had the opportunity in hearing their fascinating stories. It was a great experience, as I learned things I never knew. I am happy with the feedback and would love to hear more stories about the meaningful connections people hold in their lives.

Returns/Reflections

How would one feel when thinking back to their homelands? How would it feel to return to the homeland? Every individual has different feelings with their connection to their homeland: happy, sad, disappointed, frustrated, etc. There are various reasons as to why migrants leave their homes. They all have memories of what was, but where do these memories reside? Is there some sort of 'trigger' to remembering? The feeling of nostalgia is one of home sickness and a longing to be back home. There can be positive memories like "life was so good" yet there can be many negative feelings as well. In class we discussed certain 'triggers' of remembering. Many people tend to push away any negative experiences, leaving that memory in the back of their mind. Maybe they experienced something traumatic in their past that sets off this 'trigger';for example, they can not deal with death because they have experienced losing a loved one. Sometimes it is difficult to deal with loss and grief, hence why people push aside their feelings. I strongly feel that people shouldn't dwell on the past. They need to focus on the present and move on. They need to see what is good and what is real. I believe if an individual is strong enough to visit their homeland (their past) then they should. But if thoughts are going to lead to depression, in a state of melancholy, then they need to think twice before engaging in something they are not ready for.

The trailer for "Through Your Eyes" was a good overview of how the second generation feels. It's like a "bridge between two worlds that move at different speeds." There are indeed differences from first and second (and third) generation migrants. Conflicts do arise. I've experienced and witnessed this myself. Growing up, I remember my best friend and how they used to go to church every Sunday. They are Roman Catholic so attending church is a part of their religion. I always remember the questioning and rebutal coming from my friend. "I don't want to go...Why do I have to go...This is frustrating," were some of the many comments I heard. Her father, speaking a bit of English, would respond, "Because you have to...It's good." There was a conflict of religion and out of respect for her dad, she would go to church. Other experiences of conflict could be with politics, language, independence, shame, etc. I remember watching a movie called "My Big Fat Greek Wedding". Toula, the daughter, came from a very traditional Greek family. Her dad was very proud of their heritage and had nothing but great things to say about being Greek: the language, the food, the culture, etc. But I noticed feelings of shame throughout the film. For example, Toula would notice the caucasean girls at school with their wonderbread sandwiches. She dreamed of sitting with these girls and eating her very own white wonderbread sandwich (not her lamb and potatoes).

Here's a funny YouTube clip of Russell Peters about Immigrant Parents (vs Canadian parents): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oA9O3hMDRbw
...Makes you think eh!