WOMEN IN A MAN'S WORLD
Producer, Writer, Host, Editor
As a female filmmaker, I can honestly say that being a woman in the film-world is hard. I have seen first-hand the boys club mentality and I know being a woman has negatively effected my potential. I wanted to know more about the women filmmakers before me: What kind of problems did they face?
UNDERSTANDING DIVERSITY
Essays by Krista Alexander
PERSONAL STATEMENT
By age 21, I had lived in 5 countries and traveled to more than 20. This is mostly due to being raised in a military family, myself joining the military at an early age and subsequently marrying into the military. As a young child who never culturally fit in, I strived to better understand the behavior of those around me and, most importantly, why others behaved in certain ways and the personal and social impact of that behavior. As a young adult, I delved further into searching for cultural identity, ultimately asking more questions.
DIFFERENCES IN WESTERN AND EASTERN NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION
The many differences in Western and Eastern cultures stem from miscommunication and a lack of understanding nonverbal communication and perspectives. Even still, the knowledge of another culture’s nonverbal communication does not guarantee an understanding of the true meaning. For example, Americans are silent “both during moments of love and comfort as well as arguments (Chaika 140). Of course, an Easterner could only view the context of the situation to understand the scenario. Jin writes, “The expression of culture is so bound up in nonverbal communication that barriers to culture learning are more nonverbal than verbal” (Jin 525). By understanding the differing cultural non-verbal communication forms, both Westerners and Easterners will better understand each other.
ISLAM AND JUDAISM: THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER
Islam and Judaism are both monotheistic, Abrahamic religions that share many similarities and, also, many differences. Islam was founded in the early 7th century as a religion of revolution, which hoped to deny polytheism. Abraham of Ur in the traditional belief of around 17th century BCE founded Judaism, also in order to deny polytheism or idolatry. Both religions eventually became religions of the status quo. Both believe in the same creation story, the Devil, prophets, free will, and also practice similar rituals such as fasting and prayer. Prayer is used as a way to connect with the spiritual world. Both religions believe that this ritual should be performed multiple times a day in order to truly harvest a relationship with God. Muslims and Jews take prayer very seriously in consideration of the practice itself, why it is performed, and the origins of the ritual.
THE U.S.-CHINA TRADEWAR
With recent innovation, the world has become more interconnected than ever. This globalization results in more vulnerability and reliance between countries. Different ways of life and perspectives have caused a shift in balance, particularly for the world economies. America consists of large multinational corporations looking to gain profit and citizens looking to spend money. China is largely farm and low-wage workers who save money and look to sell. The United States is now undergoing large unemployment and a growing deficit. Some U.S. Officials blame these problems on China, claiming Chinese officials for manipulating Chinese currency and threatening a trade-war. Considering how Chinese currency affects the United States, China, and the global economy, government leaders from both countries are trying to fix the imbalance.