This video is an analysis of the effects of immigration on Mexican food culture. The interview features Dave who immigrated to Canada 8 years ago from Mexico. The struggles that immigrants face in terms of finding their native food is discussed. As immigration has increased, the popularity of Mexican food has too, but is the food that has reached all corners of the world authentic in the eyes of a native Mexican? The consensus leads towards no. Popular chains such as Taco Bell and Chipotle distort the world’s view of Mexican Food. There must be an effort on behalf of the consumer to learn more about the culture and what the food means to the average native Mexican. It is vital to understand this in order to increase the appreciation and decrease the misappropriation of cultures in the world. In order to continue growing global culture without fueling stereotypes there must be an increase in communication and understanding on a personal level.
Introduction signed: J.P.C. [i.e. John Payne Collier]. With reproduction of original t.-p.: A. Nest of Ninnies, Simply of themselves without Compound … By Robert Armin. London, Printed by T.E. for John Deane. 1608. (From Omni)
Very well, thanks for asking. In fact, I've often felt guilty about how I've only felt slightly inconvenienced by this pandemic response in comparison to others. I'm also extremely and overwhelmingly appreciative of my good fortune.
Culture is fluid, identity is dynamic and pride, invaluable. Many immigrants journey to Canada every year, leaving family and friends behind in search for a better life. For the past couple of weeks, I have been working with my community partner and friend, Belen Montefalcone, who migrated to Canada from Argentina. She leads a busy life, being a researcher, instructor and advocate for The Art of Living: London. In this portrait, we explore various facets of Belen’s identity and culture through a relaxed home interview. I took a video recording of Belen while I conducted a short interview with a set of pre-prepared questions. The unintimidating home setting allowed for a comfortable conversation and I was able to personally observe food and other items she described. From the interview I found that Belen has a very good memory of details of her life back in Argentina and that she keeps in regular contact with her family via Whatsapp (cellular phone texting app). These findings suggest that culture is not necessarily maintained by what is displayed around you but can be upheld through constant communication with family and friends, linking you back home to your roots.
This portrait features an interview with Juan Gaviria. During this interview, he shares stories about his experiences of moving from Colombia to Canada as a youth with his family. Juan also shares his opinions on “what makes a home”. Juan talks about how he believes Colombia and Canada are both home to him, yet, he feels many differences between his two homes. In addition, Juan has also shared some specific stories about the challenges he has faced during his process of making London his new home as well as some of his heartwarming encounters in the London Latino-Canadian Community, that have helped to minimize these challenges for him. At the end of the video, Juan shares some examples of the events and activities in London that remind him of his heritage culture and his Colombia home. Juan’s sense of “home” indicates his sense of belonging to his new community. This also marks that his journey of settling in London has shaped his new identity as a Latino-Canadian. In addition, his stories have vividly illustrated the importance and impacts of cultural humility and have demonstrated how an understanding of only the surface culture without an understanding of the deep culture can cause misunderstandings and lack of respect among individuals who have different cultural backgrounds.
This project is a video interview on an Italian immigrant couple from the London community. The focus is on the challenges and changes they had faced in their life as they proceeded with their migration in 1966. The interview moves through time, starting with how the couple grew up to where they are today. Throughout the video they explore connections between Italian and Canadian culture. They tell their story on being in the Canadian workforce, raising a daughter in Canada, and making a life for themselves in a foreign country. The couple also dabble into how they feel about their own identity and what it means to be a Canadian after their journey from Europe. From the comfort of their home they simply supplied their life journey, which has been processed into a professional digital interview.
