Cultural Identity

Sam Bradley, Lili Caceres, and Elizabeth Jackson

What is Cultural Identity ?

The feeling one has of belonging to a group. It is related to one's ethnicity, nationality, social class, generation or any social group.

Our Cultural Identities

Sam

Female
Therapeutic Recreation
Midwesterner
Sister & Daughter

Lili

Female
Human Physiology
Iowan
Bilingual
Sister & Daughter

Elizabeth

Female
Journalism & Mass Communication, Public Health
Iowan
Sister & Daughter

Comparing Cultural Identities

Stead Family Children's Hospital

Two children's hospitals in the state of Iowa.
Population of Iowa City 79.4% White, 7.9% Asian, 7.3% Black
Median Income: $75,076

Arkansas Children's Hospital

Only children's hospital in the state of Arkansas.
Population of Little Rock 55.1% White, 40.4% Black, and 1.7% Asian.
Median Income: $48,463

Applying Cultural Identity in Little Rock

Socioeconomic Status

In 2018 2,712 individuals were reported as homeless in the state of Arkansas. Of that population, 58% are unsheltered throughout the state. Noticing the lack of hospitality in the city of Little Rock, Canvas Community Church opens theirs doors on Wednesday nights for a dinner and a movie. This allows those experiencing homelessness to come in for a free meal and provide a place to create relationships within the community. Students got the opportunity to listen and play games with the individuals and families that came in. While at the church there was a service that would answer questions about health insurance for those who didn’t know if they were covered as well as how to utilize health insurance.

Language/Ability

There was a family at the hospital where the family used American Sign Language. Payton was able to interact with the family by using her knowledge of sign language. The United States is a has a very diverse population and is important to know people have different forms of communicating. It is important to know and repect each person's form of communication. Some families are not able to go to the hospital for emergenices because there lack interpretors or even people with the knowledge of their culture. Specifically in Little Rock, there is a high representation of diversity which brings a need for there to be more people who understand the backgrounds of others.

Race/Ethnicity

Students took a cultural immersion trip to Central High School, the location of the Little Rock Nine. The group also connected with a diverse range of patients and their families. The presentation at Central High School exemplified the racial discrimination many people faced in the South, even after Brown v. Board. By reflecting on racial issues of the past and considering present ones, a connection can be made to some situations or experiences that were witnessed in Arkansas Children's Hospital. Similarly, a connection can be made between racial justice issues and socio-economic status, both of which are related to the Social Determinants of Health. By being exposed to these complex social issues, students gained further insight into some of these struggles. The presentation also provided a way to break-down implicit barriers and create a better understanding of the diverse backgrounds patients may come from, especially in the field of Children's Health.

Applying Cultural Identity to Iowa City

Looking for Volunteer Opportunities

Going forward, students can consider the theory of Active Citizenship and looking for more volunteer opportunities. This is a way to learn about many more cultural activities while giving back to the local Iowa City community.

Practicing Mindfulness

After learning more about Socioeconomic Status and interacting with some of the homeless population of Little Rock, students can become more aware of the people that surround them. Change can be implemented by simply being more empathetic to the homeless population and understanding the many factor contribute to lower socio-economic statuses and lack of access to resources.

Understanding & Respecting Others

Alternative Spring Break emphasizes the team component to the trip. By ending each night with a bonding activity, participants of the trip were able to connect with one another and learn about one another's diverse backgrounds. Returning to Iowa City, students can reflect on what they learned about their peers and strive to remain judgement free.

Sources

Google Sites

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