X is for..........Xenophilia.
When I signed up for the A-Z Challenge last year, I knew what my X post was going to be right away. It had to be xenophobia. Back in April of 2010, our governor signed SB 1070 into law, legislation that many believe promotes racial profiling. Unfortunately, for many people across the US, my adopted home state became the poster child for xenophobia.
With the Supreme Court about to rule on the constitutionality of the law, I thought about doing xenophobia again this year. I changed course when I found xenophilia while doing a search for X words.
Xenophilia is an attraction to foreign peoples, cultures, or customs. The opposite of xenophobia if you will. To be honest, I was unfamiliar with the word. I'm glad I found it. I love learning about foreign cultures and customs, and some of my very favorite people hail from other countries.
So today, X is for xenophilia, because not everyone living in Arizona is xenophobic.
How 'bout you? Have any favorite foreign people, cultures, or customs?
I hadn't heard this word either. I'm open to most cultures, though I know I'd be too intimidated to travel to many countries that are too different from ours. I'm not good at the cross cultural communication stuff due to extreme introvertedness, but I love learning about other places and customs.
ReplyDeleteGreat word choice. I didn't know you were down in AZ (shows how much I pay attention, huh). I actually want to move down there once the kids get out of school (about 5 years from now). Now I know who to bug for advice on locations :)
ReplyDeleteI'd never heard this word before but I love it. I know what you mean about your home being the poster child for something you disagree with. Cincinnati has such a conservative and provincial reputation, which is deserved in many ways, but I hate the perception that everyone here is that way.
ReplyDeleteGreat word for the day. I've been listening to Spanish language podcasts as part of the Change Write Now competition. I feel like it has bee fun to learn a new language.
ReplyDeleteIt's new to me also. Thank you. I love a new word especially such a great word.
ReplyDeleteLove this word and how it is completely opposite of xenophobia!
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