CHAPTER 3 The Microcultural Context

Microculture Includes different types of groups that could be classified by age, class, geographic region, sexual preference, disability (eg. People who are deaf), ethnicity, race, size, even occupation, etc. Most people, regardless of culture, are likely members of some kind of microcultural group. Also sometimes called sub-cultures, co-cultures, and minorities.

Five Characteristics of Microcultures Group shares physical or cultural trait Membership is usually not voluntary Endogamy--in-group marriage--practiced Often aware of subordinated status Often experience unequal treatment from dominant group.

Muted Group Theory The speech and writing of microcultural groups are not valued by the dominant cultural group. In response, microcultural group members: – Attempt to change the dominant mode of expression. – Create their own “private” language.

Six Examples of U.S. Microcultures which experience distrust, rejection, and unequal treatment to varying extents.

Latino/Hispanic One of the largest U.S. microcultural group with about 15% of the U.S. population. About 60% born in the U.S. Mexican, Central & South Americans, Cuban, Puerto Rican, etc. Mostly Roman Catholics, strong family values. Language & Dialects—English, Spanish, Spanglish, Chicano English.

African Americans About 12.5% of the U.S. population. Long legacy of slavery and racism. Mostly U.S-born, but immigrants increasing. Language & Dialect: English, Ebonics, “call- and-response”. Ebonics or Black English refers to grammatically complex African American speech pattern.

The Amish The Amish, with a population of about 150,000, is an example of a small religious mircrocultural group. The Amish are a conservative Christian community originally from Europe living in secluded settlements in Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania and other states. Amish culture advocates simple god-centered lives, strong family values, nonresistance, and rejection of modernity. Language: English, high German and low German (i.e. Pennsylvania Dutch). Non-verbal communication and use of silence important.

The Hmong Asian Americans account for about 5% of US population. Hmong Americans is an example of a small Asian American group with a population of about 150,000. Hmong Americans are one of the most challenged Asian American groups with high poverty rates as they were Vietnam War refugees who were originally pre-literate hill-tribes people. Traditional Hmong culture is pre-modern with such practices as animism (everything has a spirit), male-dominated clans, arranged marriage for girls who are 13 to 18, and relying on Shamans to heal illness. Nonverbal gestures include: Twitching eyes to show contempt, slapping oneself on the buttocks to mean “kiss my ass”.

Arab Americans Arab Americans, with a population of about 1.2 million, is an example of a microcultural group from the Middle East that is often negatively stereotyped. Typically thought to be Muslim and often stereotyped as terrorist suspects, Arab Americans are actually 2/3 Christian and 1/3 Muslim. Some Muslim values includes: great respect for the Prophet Mohammad, the “Koran” holy scripture, modesty for women (wearing of hijab head cover), five-times daily prayers, monthlong fast from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, rejection of interfaith marriage, etc.

LGBT A microculture defined by sexual identity numbering up to 10% of U.S. population. LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) has a long history of societal oppression. Transgender is the state of one's self-identification as woman, man, neither or both, does not matching one's assigned sex) Gayspeak—serves three functions: – A language code that protects against detection of sexual status – Facilitates expression of gay and lesbian roles within gay culture – A vehicle for political identity and activism