MINOR CULTURAL DIVERSITY

EXERCISE TWO

A) Document an object that tells a story about your cultural or family history. You can choose to document it visually via photography, drawing, video or audio.

B) Document the same object in writing. It can be an anecdote, (family) memory, historical research or a combination of all.

What is my cultural history? What is my family history? Are they connected?
I am a white, tall male. Born and raised in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. I'm able-bodied and was raised to have a critical mindset. My parents have never been together. My father is considerably wealthy, but my mother has struggled for a time.

My body shows a white skin, a result of having two white parents. It shows i'm tall, of Dutch descent. The tattoos give away a hint at wealth and possible travels.
Massaging my muscles indicates regular use. I've done sports my whole life. They've shaped my character.
The music I've chosen to accompany this documentation is a song by the band KOKOROKO.

This contrasting approach has left me with a critical mindset towards how love is shared.
Looking at it now, I understand how generational trauma and consciousness are related in shaping said approaches.

As a kid, sports were mandatory. I had the freedom to pick whatever I liked, as long as it set me in motion. Like my dad, I've done athletics for a long time, but I've also tried judo, table tennis and boxing.
At the age of 14, I chose to start dancing salsa, which I still do right now. The dancing world is very physical, where the body is embraced as a valid source of knowledge. This resonates with my upbringing.

Salsa has a rich history, with roots linking back to various regions in Africa. Music and dance are intimately connected, and often have a religious foundation.

A religion in which the body is related to healing from physical as well as mental issues.

Through dance I've also gained a better understanding of community and its importance.
As a kid, I wouldn't always feel like I belonged to a group of like-minded people. The close friends I had were few. I found this in dance, and especially noticed it when I travelled around the world. Being able to arrive in an unknown city and connect with the people there over one shared passion gave me a sense of safety.

The tattoos on my body have been gathered from various artists, in various countries such as England and New Zealand.
I carry my Ta Moko (traditional indigenous tattoo of the Maori) with pride, it reminds me of my travels, but also of the shared history Oceania has with Europe.

Another tattoo I have, the first one I ever got, reads Travel in Uncertainty. I got it just before my year-long journey, so speaks directly to that undertaking, but also has a more extensive meaning to me. I try living in the moment, where planning ahead too much takes away spontaneity. I try to embrace the uncertainty and live with it, let it shape my experiences. The only way I'm able to do this is because I feel safe. Safe in my body, safe in my social network and safe in my mind. As a white male, I don't have to worry too much about how I'm perceived. My social network provides me with solid advice, physical safety in the form of support when I'd get ill for example, and if it ever comes to that; money.
My upbringing and positive experiences left me with trust in myself. The mindset I adopted is one of optimism.

My body tells the story of upbringing, and the shaping of my world. I've felt love through physical and verbal signs such as hugs and being told 'I love you' from my mom, where my dad showed it through sharing knowledge and monetary wealth (which allowed me to try a variety of sports and visit museums/cities in other countries).