Krista Brummet

Education 1100-067
11/10/15
Cultural Autobiography

I am:
Ethnicity/Nationality: Mostly German, and a little Cherokee,
Polish, and Irish.
Race: Caucasian/white
Social Class: Upper middle class
Abilities: Artistic, loving, and positive
Gender: Female
1st Language: English & speak a little French and Spanish (poorly)
Health: Mildly asthmatic
Social Status: College student
Age: 20
Religion: Christian/Lutheran
Geographic Region: Suburban Illinois, USA
Sexuality: Heterosexual
FRAME:
History/ancestral heritage:
Neighborhood we grew up in: Two small suburban towns; Lisle (Mothers owned house) and
Woodridge (Fathers rented house). Safe and mainly middle class areas. Moved with father about
4 times within Woodridge; switching from one rented house to another.
Family: Divorced parents since age 1 & only child. Conservative mother and liberal father.
Neighborhood we live in now: Two small suburban towns; Lisle and Bolingbrook. Both safe and
middle class areas as well. Both houses are owned rather than rented.
Physical abilities: Dance and drawing/painting.
Values: Abstinence and Family first.
Education: High school diploma, some college, plan to achieve a Masters Degree.

Profession: Employed currently as a Hostess at a fine dining restaurant, plan to pursue a career as
a teacher.
Culture/cultural traditions: Celebrating Christian holidays (i.e. Christmas, Easter, etc.).
My reality as a child was that my dad was upper middle class as well as my mother. As I
grew older, I learned more about them. My mother was upper middle class, but my father wasnt.
I used to see my father once or twice a week and now I currently see him every Wednesday and
stay at his house. He sometimes couldnt and still cant afford bills, but would skip nights to
cover it up. I never noticed this until I was older.
I do have high expectations due to my FRAME. I make assumptions that Ill be teaching
in the same classroom that I was in when I was younger. I observe at Lisle Elementary School, a
primarily white and middle class/upper middle class school. Although I imagine myself teaching
in a district similar to this, I do know the reality that I may not and Im ok with that. It may be
hard to get used to, but Im ready for the challenge.
With peoples own FRAME and life experiences, it makes it difficult to not judge people
for their differences. Even though people live life differently, they are still human too. I give my
biggest efforts to accept everyone, despite their dissimilarity. I like to live by the famous Voltaire
quote on free expression; I do not agree with what you have to say, but Ill defend to the death
your right to say it. Differing religious views has always been something I accept. I like to hear
different religious thoughts and stories and learn more about them to help find my own view.
Although I classify as a Christian, Lutheran to be exact, I accept that not all people were raised
with the same views as I. If I were born elsewhere, I could also be following one of the many
religions that isnt Christianity if thats what I was raised to know. Religious tolerance will
always be important to me. Different ethnicities, genders, ages, values, professions, language,

and abilities also cause a high tolerance with me. After taking an Anthropology class at College
of DuPage, I learned a lot about people growing up in different ways. Its no ones fault for living
like they do. Its understandable that some people may see my FRAME as wrong. I dont believe
that anyones opinions or backgrounds can be wrong; even when they go against my own. People
all have different feelings and emotions and all go through different experiences. Even if
someone is an Atheist, I understand that there must be a reason that they are such. Maybe they
went through a rough time and dont believe that wouldve happened if theres a God. Ive been
there. Ive doubted my own beliefs at times of hardships, so I understand and have empathy for
the people who are also suffering. No matter what, no one should be judged on the way they live
their life. Ethnocentrism is another huge part of this problem. No culture is superior to another.
No belief is right. Whats right and whats wrong is all in our perspectives that we grow to learn.