Video Questions/Discussion

1. The idea Binta's father had at the end of the film was unexpected. I was a little confused of what solution a western child could bring to their society. This is my opinion: a child is still learning. By bringing a child into an African society, will not affect the African society seeing as the child did not know much about their previous society. Instead, it will teach the child the way of the AFrican society. I think i may be misunderstanding the point of adopting the child into the society, because to me, the whole thing does not make sense.

2. Again, Binta's father's idea was to bring a western child into their society. I do not understand what his reasoning behind it was, therefore i don't know how it will help them out.

3. Soda's father is old fashioned. He believes that African women should stay at home and tend to the house, work in the kitchen, and take care of the children. He believes that men are the ones to go out and receive an education because they are supposed to be the breadwinners of the family.

4. The problem with Binta's society taking on western ways of life is the risk of losing their own culture. I think it would be good for the African society to take on some of western society's ways of life, such as things that will enhance their way of life, like medicine, ways of retrieving food, education, etc. But, i think it is important for them to still practice their own culture and learn about their own culture, along with other cultures, in school.

5. Western people may learn the value of their own lives. Binta's society is not a very wealthy society, but they find ways of getting around their obtacles. They find happiness in the society they have grown into. Western people can learn from Binta's society and learn to value their own lives. western people tend to take their own lives for granted and take all the priveleges they have for granted. The African society can influence western society to be more thankful for their own lives and teach them the value of hard work.

6. Education not only teaches children their ABCs, but about culture and how there are other people in the world outside of their own society that they have grown and become accustom to. In the film, the teacher in the beginning was trying to lecture the children on the importance of personal identity, but also integration. Regardless of gender, heighth, body structure, hair color, skin color, etc, we should all treat eachother with respect. We can all live together harmoniously.

7. I don't recall throughout my educational experience learning about foreign ordeals, such as Africa. I remember always learning about europe, asia, somewhat of the middle east, and north america. The only thing i ever remember learning about africa had to do with the slave trade. I don't think we are really briefed on the importance of other cultures and their ways of life. We should be taught about other cultures to help us appreciate our own. we should be taught about respecting others and their differences in educational institutions and not just rely on the parents to teach morality.