Dance 1010 December 8, 2016 Reflection Assignment In regards to a culture that is very similar, but distinct to my own, I learned that the native Hawaiian experience living here in the United States, though distinct in its own particulars, was actually very similar to other minority groups. The facilitated racism and discrimination that occurred both in the islands of Hawaii as well as in the mainland was evident in about the same capacities as other given minority groups of the time period through the 1700s on until the 1970s and 80s. The effects of both English and American colonization and imperialism are also manifest in the evolutionary changes in traditions, cultural customs and representations. Now, there is significantly decreased discrimination, but as in every other minority group, it is still present. In addition, it is important to note that on account of Hawaiis role as a tourist destination, many often thus perpetuate the ideal concept of Hawaii as solely a paradise for other outsiders to enjoy, thus perpetuating misrepresentation of the islands. In a similar manner, many thus view the all of the island people as exotic, This specific assignment had a profound effect in regards to my outward perspective of the world. Though some may claim that there is minimal to be found in the mundanity of schoolwork, I found this to be of greater importance. In researching, preparing and giving an inclass presentation on the Hawaiian hula, I was able to see the true power of dance, as an art, especially in collective groups of people. I came to a realization that in many cases, contrary to popular belief and disregards, that dance, as one of the many forms of art, provokes and conveys emotion. Thus, as a more personal and a greater appeal to the innate qualities of humanity, dance brings people to action. In many situations, regarding public education in the United States, there is negligible stress or significance on the humanities or arts, due to popular claims that such an emphasis takes away from what is truly important in this, the age of information and technology. However, through this assignment, I realized that, indeed, this neglect of humanities and various forms of art should not be so indoctrinated as part of our modern perspectives, and specifically in our most fundamental systems of education. Undeniably, it is through art and other media that true human feeling and emotion is conveyed. Through these studies of dance, it is made manifest that emotion along with reason, is a dynamic factor in bringing people to see, to act, to make a conscious choice to come out of ignorance, and to extend themselves in greater capacities. To deny the majority the opportunity to learn to create and to express such emotion is to deny them opportunities for growth, for human interaction and creating essential connections and relations. Rather than learning to be a machine, to calculate and to appeal solely to logic and reason, I have found that this is what it truly means to be human.