#microculture

Concepts and Sounds - Microculture

.phonographiq

A microculture is “a distinct pattern of learned and shared behavior found within a larger culture” (Miller, B. D. (2017). Cultural Anthropology. Boston: Pearson.). A microculture within the George Washington University is the shared value of service. Students learn this behavior often before coming to campus or learn within the first few weeks by participating the Freshman Day of Service and Convocation (pictured above). Additionally, this microculture flourishes on campus and is supported by the University through institutions such as service-based fraternal organizations and the Honey W. Nashman Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service. This microculture surrounding service could be further broken down based on the causes students and staff donate their time to; how often they engage in service; the manner in which they engage in service (ex: labor versus philanthropy); and students who wish to pursue a career surrounding service. For my Freshman Day of Service this Saturday, I spent the day working in a community garden which I greatly enjoyed. During my time at George Washington, I hope to continue doing service work, possibly with an organization that promotes literacy.

Facebook Groups App

           People use Facebook Groups daily to stay connected to family and friends. Facebook has recently introduced a new Group app that helps people share experiences faster and more easily with all the groups they are in.  The app acts as a private newsfeed, and shares to only those selected within the group.   

            A Facebook group is a microculture because it is a small group of people who share similar values, activities, and interests within an organization.  People join groups to express their opinions and experiences to contribute to their own self-image. This is known as the value-expressive influence of groups.  

            The app also allows you to control notifications, as well as give  group suggestions based on pages a person has liked, or groups their friends are in. Therefore, Facebook groups also act as a reference group because each individual within the group is influenced by each other’s behavior and opinions.  This can also be known as the effects of group influence.

Macroculture: A set of ideas, beliefs, values, and traditions a large group of people may commonly share. Some examples of a macro culture include a country, a state, or a whole group of men or women, or a whole race wether it be white, black, latino,asian, ect.

Microculture: A set of ideas, beliefs, values, traditions and interactions a small group of people may share. Some examples of micro cultures would be your family household, your school, or your group of friends.

These are two concepts i think everyone on tumblr MUST know. and here is why. let's take the example of racism and white privilege in America. On a macro culture level, yes without question, this is true, exists, and is a very real experience in everyday experience. It effects people going to jail, their ability to get a job, and makes it much more difficult to have a position of power.

On a micro cultural level though this may NOT be true. in a workplace, or in a group a friends, the exact opposite may be in fact the real case. Their very well could be a group of black individuals who are mean and show hatred towards white people. on the micro cultural level there could be a woman who screws over a man. and this is also a very real experience.

By no means am i saying reverse racism exists or that women are actually the sexist ones. What i am saying is that on an individuals level, a micro cultural level, hatred disrespect and lack of empathy towards others is happening and is wrong. I see people post stuff about the effects of reverse racism and the only effects are white people's tears. and people laugh about this and think yes who cares about these people. and everyone should see what's wrong with that statement. It's mean and lacks empathy for another human being. just because someone isn't being oppressed doesn't mean their feelings and emotions are any less significant. it doesn't mean they don't have legitimate reasons for being upset. i just can't agree with oh well who cares about being mean and hateful towards white people, or men, because it's their fault i'm oppressed. The average white guy who works at wal-mart is not causing your oppression. and deserves to be treated with basic human dignity. 

you won't get anyone jointing you side if you want to be just as hateful and lack empathy just as much as the oppressor. that'll just cause more hatred and more oppression. What we need to realize is on a Macro-culture: level POC and women are being oppressed and this should anger us and we should speak out. but on a Micro-culture: we should all be treated the same with basic human dignity. unless someone is being a racist or sexist asshole, then you should care about them too and treat them with respect.