SIDHI: Tatak UPD NSTP Common Module | Cultural Sensitivity | Asst. Prof. Monica F.A. W. Santos

Summary

In this video, Monica Santos, an anthropology teacher, emphasizes the importance of reflexivity in service learning. She highlights the need for students, particularly in programs like NSTP, to be aware of their own biases and positionalities when engaging with communities. Through personal anecdotes and examples, she discusses how cultural differences are understood in anthropology, stressing the importance of avoiding stereotypes and instead focusing on meaning-making and local knowledge. Santos encourages students to reflect on their experiences and ensure that their service projects are grounded in the community's needs, fostering mutual respect and understanding.

Takeaways

• 😀 Reflexivity is essential for understanding cultural differences in both anthropology and service learning.
• 😀 Ethnographic research involves engaging deeply with communities, building intimacy, and understanding their lived experiences.
• 😀 Service learning requires self-awareness of one's positionality and how it influences interactions with others.
• 😀 Even after extensive training, anthropologists and students can still make mistakes when engaging with communities, as demonstrated by the water-fetching anecdote.
• 😀 The notion of culture should not be essentialized or reduced to stereotypes; it's important to understand cultural meaning in context.
• 😀 Cultural differences are not universal or superior; what is meaningful to one person may not be to another.
• 😀 Reflexivity helps in being mindful of biases, beliefs, and the impact of one's actions and words on the community.
• 😀 The practice of reflexivity requires ongoing self-assessment, especially when engaging with communities different from one's own.
• 😀 Service learning is not just about helping others but also about learning from them and understanding the structural inequalities they face.
• 😀 The goal of service learning should be to find common ground with the community and ensure that projects are genuinely useful to them.

Q & A

What is the concept of reflexivity in anthropology, and why is it important?

Reflexivity in anthropology refers to the practice of being aware of how our own social positionality—such as identity, biases, and beliefs—shapes our research and interactions. It is important because it allows anthropologists and service learners to recognize how their perspectives influence their understanding of the communities they engage with and helps avoid misinterpretation or exploitation.

How does reflexivity apply to service learning in programs like NSTP?

In service learning, reflexivity helps students understand how their background, biases, and privileges shape their interactions with the community they are serving. It encourages them to critically assess whose needs are being prioritized and whether their service is based on assumptions rather than the community's actual needs.

Why is it essential for anthropologists to study their own positionality?

Anthropologists study their own positionality to recognize how their social identity (e.g., nationality, class, gender) affects their research. This awareness helps them interpret fieldwork more accurately and avoid imposing their own cultural norms and values on the community being studied.

Can you explain the incident with the water fee in the community and its significance?

The incident with the water fee involved the anthropologist paying children in a community for fetching water. Initially, the fee was small and seemed affordable, but over time, it increased. The anthropologist later realized that their participation in this exchange contributed to a wider economic issue within the community, demonstrating the importance of reflexivity in recognizing how one's actions can impact others in unexpected ways.

How does the concept of culture affect the understanding of community dynamics?

Culture is often essentialized or reduced to a set of practices or beliefs that are seen as defining a group of people. However, anthropologists stress that culture is dynamic, and its meaning is formed through everyday actions. Misunderstanding culture as a fixed set of traits can lead to oversimplifications and perpetuate stereotypes, which is why it is important to approach culture with a more nuanced and flexible perspective.

What role does reflexivity play in understanding the structural inequalities faced by communities?

Reflexivity encourages service learners and anthropologists to be aware of the structural inequalities that shape the lives of the communities they engage with. It allows them to consider how their own privileges might affect their understanding of the community's needs and ensure that their actions address real, rather than assumed, issues.

What is the problem with stereotypes in discussing Filipino culture?

Stereotypes about Filipino culture, such as those related to subservience or damaged cultural values, often ignore the diverse and complex experiences of individuals. These stereotypes generalize an entire population based on limited understanding, which can perpetuate misconceptions and harm the community being discussed.

Why is it important to not make assumptions about shared experiences in different communities?

It is crucial not to make assumptions about shared experiences because what one person finds meaningful in their life may not be meaningful to others. For instance, two people may enjoy the same food, but the reasons behind their enjoyment might differ. Assumptions can lead to misunderstandings and hinder authentic engagement with the community.

What is the purpose of the 'personal anthropology' exercise mentioned in the video?

The 'personal anthropology' exercise encourages introspection and self-awareness by asking individuals to reflect on moments when they experienced culture shock or encountered something unfamiliar. This exercise helps students understand how their own positionality influences their responses and attitudes toward cultural differences.

What should students consider when developing service learning projects in programs like NSTP?

Students should reflect on their own assumptions and ensure that their projects are based on the actual needs and priorities of the community, not on their own ideas of what the community needs. It is important to listen to the community, learn from them, and align projects with their goals, ensuring that the service provided is meaningful and beneficial to them.