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German
Heritage:
Feeling Different
but Looking the
Same
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Eaton, Ohio is a predominately white city rich with
fascinating history. The small city sits conveniently on theIndiana and Ohio border. The people of Eaton, Ohio are
considered to be friendly, as long as you fit into the
dominant group.
Although my physical appearanceallows me to fit in with Preble Countycitizens, there are notable differencesin my life which set me apart from therest of the community.
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Racial Identity
I am white.
I fit into the dominant group.
The county I live in is 8% white.
Preble County citizens complain
about Hispanics.
e have one successful
Hispanic-owned e ican
restaurant.
.6% of Preble County population
is Hispanic.
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Religious Identity
Notice all of Preble
Countys Christian
recognized religions.
The other group ( %)counts for all OTHER
religions.
I fit in that e tremely broad
%; I am an Atheist.
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Religious Identity (continued)
Preble County citizens side with Christian conservative values.
Election results from the past two years above.
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Gender Identity (continued)
Gender identity has influenced my college success.
I am terrified of having to rely on others.
Grandmother on left; my mother on right.
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Conclusion: hy I sometimes feel uncomfortable
although I blend in
Citizens in Preble County often
complain about foreigners.
y father became a U. . citizen ande perienced various hardships.
I understand the difficulty with
language barriers.
Often ridiculed for lack of religion.
Have been referred to as a atanist .
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Conclusion: hy I sometimes feel uncomfortable
although I blend in (continued)
I am an outspoken and determined.
any girls I know want to stay at home.
I live in a predominately conservative community; I am not conservative.
I am e perienced with different foods and traditions.
Interviewee claims Preble County people today are uneducated.
Lack of shared interests with Preble County people.
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So what? How this makes me the person I am
today.
I have become a culturebroker in community.
I sometimes struggle with
personal identity.
I hide my religious identity.
I still ponder my spiritualidentity.
I understand being whiteworks in my favor.
I am used to looking likeeveryone else.
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Questions:
. How has your ethnic
background influenced how you
feel you fit into your community?
. Looking back now, how have
your family members influenced
your view of gender identity?
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References
( ). Migrations to Preble County, Ohio. Retrieved from http://
www.migrations.org/county.php3?migcounty=Preble
% 0County,% 0OH
Bureau of Economic Analysis, Bureau of LaborStatistics, National
Agricultural Statistics Service, National Center for Health Statistics &
U.S. Census Bureau. ( 00 ). Preble County, Ohio [Data file].
Retrieved from http:// www.fedstats.gov/qf/states/3 /3 35.html
Preble County Ohio. ( 00 ). City-Data. Retrieved from http:// www.city-
data.com/county/Preble_County-OH.html
Martin, J. N., Nakayama, T. K., ( 0 0). Intercultural communication in
contexts. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.