Ever since working in ISU's dining center, I've met a lot of Haitian. Before getting to know them, my first judgement was that they were African American. It wasn't until I got to know them that I started to understand their past, their story, and their family.... and most importantly, their individual self.
Not be identified as "Black" back at home but is here in the States, it shows how much generalizing there is based on outer appearance. We also have to keep in mind that each individual cannot be group with another because of what they look like.
I also see this happen in Asian (oriental) cultures as well here in the States. Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Taiwanese, Vietnamese, and Filipinos Americans all associate themselves together with the same "Asian culture". However, it's more than just that. Japanese culture is different from Filipino culture just like Djibouti culture is different from Black American culture.
From a teacher's perspective, if the students feel more comfortable associating themselves (not by peer pressure or any sort of pressure), with the culture that "seems" similar to their own, the teacher should not stop them. But teachers should be aware that not just because one seems "Black", "Asian", "Latino", or "White" that that person is generalized.
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