Hi! My name is Robin Anderson, and I’m in my last quarter as an undergraduate anthropology student here at UCLA. I’m originally from New Jersey and was recruited to play on women’s tennis team here.
Growing up, I was always asked by my peers as well as many adults whether I was more of an English/history student or a math/science one. I would always tell people that I was more of a math/science student. Even when visiting UCLA, I was informed of the divide between the two cultures of North and South campus (arts/humanities and math/sciences respectively), and as a student, it’s become very noticeable. I know some people who are north campus majors that have never been to south campus at all and vice versa. I’ve noticed that each has its own notions and stereotypes about the other which is similar to what Snow described in his lecture. For example, I had a friend last quarter who is a south campus major say, “at least we’re over here curing cancer.” She said it as if someone in the humanities couldn’t contribute to society. I don’t believe that it’s fair to sort students into these two cultures. Being an anthropology major while having a passion for the sciences has given me a different perspective that speaks to a bridge between the cultures. Anthropology students can learn about the sciences while learning to respect all cultures and backgrounds of people that they encounter. Another example of this mixture of cultures can be seen in my family.
I grew up in a household where both of my parents were born in Jamaica. While my father is full Jamaican, my mother is actually Chinese. As with most families, I feel like it is hard to keep the traditions from both sides separate, which becomes apparent most holidays. When the traditions do mix, it creates this kind of third culture and a new way of keeping up the traditions. I believe this helps make a more well-rounded person.This can be compared to the third culture described in Professor Vesna’s article when she talks about mixing the arts and the sciences together. I think that I am a great example of this because I am an anthropology major and having to take courses that focus explicitly on science, humanities, or even a combination of the two.
Citations
"Becoming a New Person from Within." Natural Health and Living. Web. 5 April 2015.
"And the winner of the North vs. South Campus Challenge is... ALL Bruins!" UCLA Fund. Web. 5 April 2015.
"Two Cultures Part 2." YouTube. Web. 3 April 2015.
Snow, C. P. The Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution. New York: Cambridge UP, 1959. Print.
"Waving Flag of Jamaica and China." CanStockPhoto. Web. 5 April 2015.
Hi Robin!
ReplyDeleteI really like how you spoke about how growing up you were always asked whether you were more of a math/science person or an english/history person. I think this is a question that most (if not all) students are faced with.
I was always more of a humanities person and this had a lot of my peers taunting me because they believed that global issues could only be solved through science. They considered the arts and humanities to not be "real" subjects.
I think this mindset needs to be changed. People need to realize the importance of assimilating both science and art and must stop believing that one is lesser than the other.
Hi Robin,
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love your post and can completely relate to it. Just as you did, I entered UCLA with my mind set on being a south campus major because I refused to be a "north campus" major. I really like how you interconnected your major experience with your blended family. I too am from a blended background and can totally relate to your post. I feel that south campus vs north campus associates with the saying "you cannot judge a book by a cover". I am now a north campus major and have found something that I am so so passionate about. My family, just as yours, is always dealing with mixed traditions holidays etc. At the end of the day it is your passion that will carry you in life, nothing else.