Cultural Differences ×

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Video MEDIA SPOTLIGHT

Cultural Differences Exploring culture and identity in the film "God Grew Tired of Us"

For the complete videos with media resources, visit: http://education.nationalgeographic.com/media/cultural-differences/

PROGRAM

The Lost Boys of Sudan are a group of Dinka youth who fled civil war in their native country, spent a decade growing up in a Kenyan refugee camp, and were eventually resettled in the United States. The Dinka are the largest ethnic group in southern Sudan. In the United States, the Lost Boys faced many challenges while adapting to their new lives and trying to maintain their cultural identities as Dinka. This clip is from the documentary filme "God Grew Tired of Us," which captures this journey, exploring the challenges and opportunities experienced by the Lost Boys. QUESTIONS

Before traveling to the United States, what about American life worried the Lost Boys? The Lost Boys were worried about new experiences, such as showers, apartments, electricity, and the custom of only having one wife.

After their arrival in the United States, what did the Lost Boys learn or notice that was new to them? Food comes ready-to-eat in packages and is sometimes not recognizable, trash does not go out the window, and people are unfriendly and unapproachable. After spending several months in Pittsburgh, why were the Lost Boys no longer allowed to travel in groups? Local merchants felt intimidated by the boys visiting their stores in large numbers. They filed complaints with the local police. In what ways do you think the boys have more freedoms in America? In what ways is American life more restricting? The Lost Boys are free to live in safety and work where they choose. However, the cultural differences and negative attitudes toward them make it difficult for them to feel truly free.

VOCABULARY

Term Part of Speech Definition

culture noun learned behavior of people, including their languages, belief systems, social structures, institutions, and material goods.

1 of 2 culture noun state of confusion and worry when faced with an unfamiliar set of behavior, including shock language, belief systems, social structures, institutions, and material goods. immigrant noun person who moves to a new country or region. refugee noun person who flees their home, usually due to natural disaster or political upheaval.

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