OUR WORLDVIEW
OUR WORLDVIEW
Introduction
How we view the world depends on our environment, where we were brought up. It depends on the culture we grew in. Generally, it is defined by the ethnography of the culture that we were brought up in. It is the same way when we read books. We read books word by word; interpret what we read based on our beliefs and culture. Whenever we read books, we learn about them based on the wordings of the author. We also incorporate our experience with the topic and relate it to the text appropriately; therefore, reading aids in knowing what we don’t know. It makes us understand new ideas regarding the current societies. Social geography is a wide topic covering various topics such as homelessness, neighborhood, body modification, policing, the fear of crime and many others. Such topics make us understand how we relate to the real world as well as other people. It makes us understand how we react to different cultures, circumstances and situations and come up with appropriate solutions to socially related problems. More importantly reading makes us shape our views of the world. When we read, we learn. When we learn, we relate to what we already know about the topics. This way, our views about the world are reshaped accordingly.
Summary
Reading the book, Social Geographies, by Valentine Gill awaken my awareness regarding social life and more about our society. Individuals tend to reason based on their worldview. The way we see things is likely to affect the way we interpret them. In most cases, we view things based on places, where we live, who we interact with, as well the people we see as role models in life; which are generally based on our attitudes towards certain ideas and topics. Most people talk of rationality when analyzing situations, but rationality kills biasedness in doing the interpretation of situations and texts. It makes one reason out logically. However, it is always an unpractical doing so, for instance, a middle school kid may view the US as the most powerful country in the world if he or she has been told so. Similarly, an African kid raised in Nigeria may view his continent as poorest based on what he or she sees on the media. In essence, how we view the world depends on the culture of the societies we were brought up in. It also depends on the way we think. Critical thinking is defined by the quality of our thoughts. In most cases, it is elaborated by the manner in which we view things and the benefits of our thinking when put into action. Yes, we all think; but some thoughts are not helpful. Reading Gill’s book makes everything succinct regarding worldview on the aforementioned topics. The author has perfectly elaborated the topics and discussed them in details making it easier for readers to understand the contexts of her reasoning. The eight spatial scales namely body, community, home, institutions, nation, city, rural and the streets are all important when viewing the world[1]. They define our perspective of the world. In many cases, we tend to reason on global matters based on what we see in our community, what our body requires, the institutions we love most, the city we reside in as well as the streets we drive on, places we work and many other factors. All these are categorized under our cultural background.
Reflection
I like the book based on the manner in which the author has written it and its relevance to the contemporary society. The chapters are well elaborated and it is easier to understand the perspective of the author. She uses relevant examples that make comprehension of the text easier. The book is appropriate for undergraduate students and lecturers in the field of sociology and anthropology. It combines culture with social life[2]. It links the two in an excellent manner, nevertheless, the book has no examples on certain topics of discussion. Probably the author makes assumption on the obviousness of the topics. The book is full of ideas for students to debate and reflect upon. It requires critical thinking ability. If you read the book, you will enjoy it. If you read and ask yourself questions on how you view the world, you will enjoy it more. If you read, analyze based on various sociological theories, ask yourself intriguing questions, you will be a successful reader. The book is just perfect! It makes us question and analyze our view of the world. A worldview is like a pair of eyeglasses through which we see the world. It tints the way we see other people, their culture and our circumstances. All of life shapes your worldview, even if you don’t realize it. We live in a world filled with people who do not know Christ and do not see life through the lens of the Scriptures; therefore, we must find ways to spread the gospel.
Bibliography
Valentine, Gill. Social Geographies: space and society. Harlow: Prentice
Hall/Pearson, coll. 400 p. 2001, ISBN 0 582 35777 2.
[1] Valentine, Gill. Social Geographies: space and society.Harlow : Prentice
Hall/Pearson, coll. 400 p. 2001, ISBN 0 582 35777 2.
[2] Valentine, Gill. Social Geographies: space and society.Harlow : Prentice
Hall/Pearson, coll. 400 p. 2001, ISBN 0 582 35777 2.
About the Author
Rose Anding
Rose Maria “Simmons McCarthy” Anding, a Visionary, Teacher,Evangelist, Biblical Counselor/ Chaplain and Author, of High Heels, Honey Lips, and White Powder. She is a widower, mother, stepmother, grandmother, great grandmother of Denver James, the greater joy of her life. She has lived in Chicago, Washington, DC, and North Carolina, and is now back on the forgiving soil of Mississippi.6 responses to “OUR WORLDVIEW”
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Rose,
For the most part, I also found Social Geographies by Gill Valentine to be quite intuitive and right on target regarding the topics of discussion on social/spatial issues from a contemporary mindset. Social geographies is a very complex and all encompassing discipline intersecting with various social, cultural, and psychological disciplines and sub-disciplines. The book really does expand one’s horizons and helps one to clarify, analyze, and think critically regarding one’s worldview. Its contents can potentially enhance any level of Christian ministry.
Thanks Claire,
I appreciate your comments,it is very important that i am able to take away from Social Geographies by Gill Valentine,this key part…discipline intersecting with various social, cultural, and psychological disciplines and sub-disciplines. The reading would have served me well. thanks Rose Maria
Rose,
Having lived in Washington D. C. and Mississippi, how would you compare those two social geographies? Do you see similar or dissimilar messages about the qualities of good leaders?
Thanks Marc, it is a simple question that I rather not answer directly but may I share some experiences and facts?
The worldview of the people of Washington DC is like none other; because it is the nation’s and the world’s political powerhouse. There are people from all nations; the embassies are setup to flourish the relationships with our nation. Most residents call it DC; you must understand that there are so much to offer and can’t be compared to my little southern town of McComb; because DC is rich in culture and heritage as evidenced by the spectrum of historic sites and cultural institutions found in every neighborhood in the city. DC is brimming with art, music, dance, and museums and theaters of every type. There are cultural and heritage organizations, who have members of Cultural Tourism DC. Cultural Tourism DC, along with its more than 250 member organizations, develops, deliver and celebrate real experiences for Washington area residents and visitors. These real experiences can be found in every neighborhood in the city. You can find them as you explore a neighborhood Heritage Trail, celebrate international culture during Passport DC or discover some of the city’s hidden treasures during Walking Town DC. These real experiences can be found in DC’s art galleries and museums, in its parks and gardens, and in its concert halls and theaters. Visiting any one of our more than 250 members will provide you a rich and enjoyable experience. And Washingtonians make it easy for you.
Washington has a unique culture and heritage that is the reason Washington, DC consistently ranks as the premier sightseeing destination in the U.S. If you have not been there, then go and explore and see for yourself the intricately woven cultural cloth that is Washington, DC.
On the southern part of our country, the people of McComb, Mississippi, exhibit limitation dealing with their worldview; after all it we have Southern root, we are the hospitality state.
There are misunderstandings that happen between sub-cultures in our state, such as between white and black Americans, or between a small American tribe within a Community. This is an example of “multicultural education.” We assume that during February our children will learn about “Black History” and in March about “Women’s History.” A particular month or week is dedicated to a certain ethnic group or belief, as if this somehow acknowledges their full contribution to American history. This can often be as divisive as it is informative. If U.S. history is taught year round, but February is “Black History Month,” then the logical assumption is that African American history and achievements are often overlooked during the normal school year. Or, that other cultures are somehow ignored during February This is where the term ‘Cultural Issues’ arise when groups of people believe another group is wrong in their behavior; we’re not aware of what healthy behavior is for that culture.
Here is a story of a child living in a racist environment who’d learned a lot of negative stereotypes about African Americans. He had an aunt in Minnesota who used to write letters to his mother. One day, his mother was reading to him from one of those letters. His aunt wrote about “how those people are so lazy and are good for nothing” and “they don’t do anything” and “we shouldn’t try to support them or helping them in any way”. The white boy assumed his aunt was talking about African Americans, because in his environment, that’s what he had heard, but when his mother turned the page, it was actually Native Americans his aunt was writing of.
Thanks for asking the questions, you now can reach your own decision of what Washington vs McComb ‘s worldview, may look like, good luck Rose Maria
Rose,
I really enjoyed your blog! After having met you in Hong Kong, I can fully appreciate it and I reading it with your voice in mind. I totally agree with you on the power of worldview. I loved your illustration of the middle schooler in US and the child in Africa. With this in mind, how do you think world view effects the local church? from the perspective of being raised in church and from never having darkened the door.
Thanks Aaron., it was great meeting and getting to know you! The world view for christians are their mind is renewed by the word of God. The local church is effected, because raised in the church dosen’t mean you spent time in the word of God and your mind is renewed, and you are practing what you read or heard. We have so many other factor that influnce us and the church is filled with overgrown babies. For example:There are a number of my friends who have accepted Christ Genuinely as their savior, but have never renewed their minds since they got born again. This is because a number of them are still experiencing old behaviors, emotions as well as characters they used to have before receiving Salvation. The fact, they are still struggling with same sins, and are showing no sign of overcoming them any time soon. However, it should be noticed that they are still operating under the dominion of sins as they used to before accepting Jesus, but it is because they have not renewed their mind. There are many unrenewed minset in the church. thanks for sharing. Rose