A Letter

Dear Ye,

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye my study life in the United States has entered its third year. When I think back to the first time I set foot on this land, everything seemed so new and exciting. The way of education here is very different from what we experienced in China, giving me countless opportunities to explore and grow. Although we often talked about the possibility of you coming to the U.S. to study during the holidays, family and other factors always seemed to keep that plan from coming to fruition. Today, through this letter, I would like to share some of the things I have recently learned in my classes in hopes of sparking your interest in cross-cultural learning.

I recently took a very interesting course, BISPSY 350A: Intergroup Relations, which delves into the interactions between different social groups (e.g., race, gender, culture, religion, etc.). The study of intergroup relations helps us understand social dynamics and individual behavior, explains why certain social groups create conflicts.

In the course, we learn in detail how to analyze and improve intergroup relations through theoretical models and practical examples. I learned about the important role of power in intergroup relations by reading the research of Andrew Mcneil and Johanna Ray Vollhardt. Their articles "the role of power in rhetorical strategies of inclusive victimhood and its consequences for intergroup relations," analyzes how the inclusion or exclusion of different groups through linguistic and symbolic strategies has had a profound impact on my understanding of power dynamics in society.

In addition, we learned about different conflict resolution strategies through case studies. For example, in our learning materials, there was a case study about how a multicultural community reduced misunderstanding and conflict among residents by increasing community activities. This practical application made me realize the practical value of theoretical knowledge.

I remember in our junior high school days, those students in the back row often kicked my chair for no reason, and behind this seemingly childish behavior actually hid a need for attention and approval. Through this course, I revisited those days and understood that these behaviors could be analyzed through the lens of group dynamics. The collective action of myself and the other victims, as well as the intervention of the principal and teachers, was an intergroup relationship adjustment. Our actions not only solved the immediate problem, but also changed the school's overall attitudes and strategies toward this type of behavior.

In this week's study, I came across the theme of status and rights, which resonated strongly with me and reminded me of our secondary school days. I remember that in school, as parents and schools placed more emphasis on core subjects like math and language, believing that these were the key to high school entrance exams, sometimes even sacrificing gym class time to increase the delivery of these subjects. In such cases, math and language teachers use their position to take up time that should be used for relaxation and exercise. Not only does this practice disenfranchise students, but it also reflects a broader issue: high-status individuals or groups tend to use their position to push agendas that benefit them, without necessarily considering the good or fairness of the whole. This has made me acutely aware of the fact that status does not determine the respect one receives.

This course also made me think about my own social responsibilities. As a college student about to enter society, I have begun to think about how I can apply what I have learned about intergroup relations to my future work and daily life, whether it is in dealing with multicultural exchanges in the workplace or in promoting the harmonious development of my community.

Ye, I sincerely hope that this letter has inspired you to think about the importance of intergroup relations and encouraged you to explore this field. Perhaps in the future you can have the opportunity to come to the U.S. or other countries and experience for yourself what it is like to study and live in a different culture. Together, we can explore more about how to build a more inclusive and harmonious world by increasing intergroup understanding and respect.

Please let me know what you think about these ideas, or share your own experiences and reflections on intergroup relations. I look forward to hearing from you and the opportunity to further explore these deep and meaningful topics with you in the future.

Best wishes, and may each day be filled with enthusiasm for learning and great expectations for the future.

Your sincerely,

Wanqiao Li