How would your friends and family describe your ability to handle a crisis, like a tribal rebellion?
- The calm in the eye of the storm. They get everyone organized and come up with a plan.
- A fierce protector who would do whatever it takes to keep everyone safe.
- A skilled negotiator who can see all sides of the issue.
- Honestly, they might panic a little, but they’d figure it out eventually.
What is your current biggest challenge when it comes to understanding cultural differences?
- Overcoming my own biases and assumptions.
- Knowing when to respect traditions and when to challenge harmful practices.
- Finding a balance between respecting cultural differences and promoting universal values.
- I don’t really experience this as a challenge, I’m pretty adaptable.
You are at a party and someone is boasting about exploiting the local tribe for personal gain. What do you do?
- Challenge them directly and call out their unethical behavior.
- Subtly undermine their story and highlight the negative consequences of their actions.
- Distance myself from the situation and avoid engaging with the person.
- Laugh along with them, but secretly judge them.
What happened in the past when you had to navigate a situation with limited resources, like Sanders dealing with a rebellion with limited support?
- I relied on my ingenuity and resourcefulness to find creative solutions.
- I sought out allies and built coalitions to overcome the challenge.
- I focused on my strengths and delegated tasks to others.
- It was tough, but I learned valuable lessons from the experience.
What makes you most frustrated about the complexities of colonialism, as depicted in Sanders of the River?
- The inherent injustice of one culture imposing its will on another.
- The arrogance of assuming superiority over another culture.
- The missed opportunities for collaboration and understanding between different cultures.
- Honestly, the whole thing makes me uncomfortable.
You have a choice of enforcing a strict law that goes against a local custom or respecting the custom and potentially jeopardizing order. Which do you choose?
- Enforce the law. Order and stability are paramount, even if it means overriding local customs.
- Try to find a compromise that respects both the law and the local custom.
- Respect the local custom. Cultural sensitivity and understanding should come before strict adherence to law.
- It’s a tough choice and I need more information about the law and the custom.
What keeps you up at night about the potential for cultural misunderstandings to escalate into conflict?
- The thought of preventable violence and suffering.
- The breakdown of communication and empathy.
- The long-lasting damage to relationships and trust.
- The potential for history to repeat itself if we fail to learn from past mistakes.
How do you handle a situation where your beliefs clash with the traditions of another culture, for example, a local tribe’s use of traditional medicine versus modern healthcare?
- Engage in respectful dialogue to understand the reasoning behind the tradition.
- Share information about the benefits of my own beliefs, but ultimately respect their choice.
- Seek to find common ground and areas of potential compromise.
- Avoid the situation altogether. It’s not my place to interfere.
How comfortable are you with using your authority to enforce rules, even if they are unpopular, like Sanders does in the book?
- Very comfortable. Rules are rules, and someone has to enforce them.
- Somewhat comfortable, as long as the rules are just and fair.
- Uncomfortable. I prefer to persuade and educate rather than coerce.
- Very uncomfortable. I’d be worried about abusing my power.
What is the trickiest part about balancing the demands of leadership with the need to understand and respect different cultures, as Sanders often has to do?
- Knowing when to compromise and when to stand firm.
- Overcoming my own biases and prejudices.
- Building trust and rapport with people from different backgrounds.
- Balancing my own values with the values of the culture I’m interacting with.
How prepared are you for a situation where you need to quickly adapt to a new cultural environment, like being suddenly placed in charge of a remote African territory?
- Very prepared. I’m adaptable and resourceful, and I enjoy immersing myself in new cultures.
- Somewhat prepared. I’d do my research and approach the situation with an open mind.
- Not very prepared. I would find it challenging to adjust quickly.
- I’d probably try to avoid that situation if at all possible.
What happens if you find yourself caught in the middle of a power struggle between two tribal leaders with conflicting interests?
- Remain neutral and attempt to mediate a peaceful resolution.
- Ally with the leader whose values and goals align more closely with my own.
- Assess the situation carefully and choose the side that offers the most strategic advantage.
- Remove myself from the situation. I don’t want to get involved.
What do you think you need to bridge the gap between your own cultural background and a vastly different one, like that of the native tribes in Sanders of the River?
- A willingness to listen and learn with an open mind.
- A genuine respect for the traditions and values of others.
- A commitment to finding common ground and building relationships.
- A sense of humility and the ability to laugh at myself.
How often do you engage in self-reflection to examine your own cultural biases, like Sanders might have benefited from doing?
- Regularly. I believe it’s crucial to be aware of my own biases.
- Occasionally. I try to be mindful of my own perspective.
- Rarely. I don’t think I have many biases.
- Never. I think self-reflection is a waste of time.
How confident are you in your ability to make fair and impartial decisions, even when cultural differences are at play, as they often are in Sanders’ line of work?
- Very confident. I pride myself on my objectivity and fairness.
- Somewhat confident. I would strive to be impartial.
- Not very confident. It’s difficult to remain completely objective.
- I don’t envy anyone who has to make decisions like that.
How do you handle a situation where you witness someone discriminating against another person based on their culture, like some of the characters might do in the book?
- Intervene immediately and challenge the discriminatory behavior.
- Speak to the person privately and express my disapproval.
- Report the incident to the appropriate authorities.
- It depends on the situation. I’d be careful about starting something I couldn’t finish.
Do you have a strong sense of justice and fairness, even when dealing with people from different backgrounds, similar to Sanders’ role as a commissioner?
- Yes, a very strong sense of justice and fairness.
- Yes, I believe in treating everyone equally and fairly.
- I try to, but it’s not always easy.
- No, life isn’t fair and I’m not going to pretend it is.
How well do you think you can separate your personal feelings from your professional responsibilities when dealing with a challenging cultural situation, such as resolving a dispute between two tribes?
- Very well. I am able to maintain my professionalism in difficult situations.
- Fairly well. I would try to keep my personal feelings in check.
- Not very well. My personal feelings often influence my judgment.
- If things are too personal I have a hard time being professional.
What is your go-to book or movie when you want to learn more about different cultures and perspectives?
- Something immersive and thought-provoking, like ‘Things Fall Apart’ by Chinua Achebe.
- A captivating historical fiction novel that transports me to another time and place.
- A documentary that offers a balanced and nuanced view of a particular culture.
- Honestly, I’m not really a book or movie person.
What aspect of African culture, as depicted in Sanders of the River, intrigues you the most?
- The rich history and traditions of the various tribes.
- The strong sense of community and interconnectedness.
- The spiritual beliefs and their connection to the natural world.
- The music, the art, the food, everything!
What’s your favorite memory of a time you successfully navigated a cultural misunderstanding?
- It turned into a funny story that we still laugh about today.
- It deepened my understanding and appreciation for another culture.
- It led to a new friendship or connection that I wouldn’t have otherwise made.
- It’s not my finest hour, but I learned a lot from it.
What causes are you most passionate about when it comes to promoting cultural understanding and tolerance?
- Supporting education and exchange programs that bring people from different cultures together.
- Challenging stereotypes and prejudices through open dialogue and storytelling.
- Promoting diversity and inclusion in all aspects of society.
- Educating myself and others about the histories and experiences of marginalized communities.
Tell us a little about your experience with cultural immersion. Have you ever lived in or spent significant time in a culture different from your own?
- I’ve had the opportunity to live abroad and it was a life-changing experience.
- I’ve travelled extensively and always make an effort to immerse myself in the local culture.
- I haven’t had much personal experience, but I’m eager to learn more.
- Not really, but I did try that new Thai place down the street the other day.
If you could choose any cultural practice from Sanders of the River to experience firsthand, which one would you choose and why?
- Participating in a traditional ceremony or ritual to learn about its significance.
- Listening to the elders share stories and wisdom passed down through generations.
- Learning a new skill or craft that is unique to the culture.
- I think I’m good, but thanks for the offer.
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the term ‘cultural sensitivity’?
- Respect, empathy, and understanding.
- Awareness of my own biases and how they might influence my interactions with others.
- Being mindful of my words and actions to avoid causing offense.
- Honestly, I think it’s something people say when they’re afraid to speak their mind.
What affects you the most when you witness cultural insensitivity or prejudice?
- The realization that we still have so much work to do to create a more just and equitable world.
- The empathy I feel for the person or group being targeted.
- The anger and frustration at the ignorance and hatred being displayed.
- It makes me sad, but there’s only so much one person can do.
What’s your idea of a successful approach to cross-cultural communication, especially in a situation as complex as that depicted in Sanders of the River?
- Open and honest dialogue based on mutual respect and a willingness to listen and learn.
- Finding common ground and building relationships based on shared values.
- Using humor and storytelling to bridge cultural divides and foster understanding.
- Lots of patience and a sense of humor are a good start.
What is your strongest quality when it comes to navigating cultural differences?
- My empathy and ability to see things from other people’s perspectives.
- My curiosity and desire to learn about new cultures.
- My communication skills and ability to build rapport with people from different backgrounds.
- My ability to blend in.
What’s your favorite aspect of the setting in Sanders of the River?
- The untamed wilderness and the sense of adventure it evokes.
- The descriptions of the local villages and the daily lives of the people.
- The sense of mystery surrounding the supernatural elements of the story.
- It’s not a place I’d want to visit, that’s for sure.
What makes you nervous about the potential for conflict and violence in a multicultural environment?
- The loss of innocent lives.
- The breakdown of communication and understanding.
- The long-lasting scars that violence leaves on individuals and communities.
- The potential for conflict to escalate and spiral out of control.
What makes you most excited about the potential for cross-cultural exchange and learning?
- The opportunity to expand my horizons and learn new ways of seeing the world.
- The chance to connect with people from different backgrounds and build meaningful relationships.
- The possibility of contributing to a more peaceful and understanding world.
- I love a good adventure and experiencing new things!
What do you dream about when it comes to a more just and equitable world where cultural differences are celebrated rather than feared?
- A world where everyone has the opportunity to share their culture and traditions freely.
- A world where differences are seen as strengths and sources of learning.
- A world where we can all live together in peace and harmony.
- Hopefully it involves better communication.
What comes to mind when you think about the challenges faced by indigenous cultures in the face of colonialism, as depicted in Sanders of the River?
- The loss of language, traditions, and cultural identity.
- The exploitation of resources and the destruction of the natural environment.
- The ongoing struggle for self-determination and recognition.
- The importance of listening to and amplifying the voices of indigenous communities.
You have one week to explore the world of Sanders of the River. What do you do?
- Embark on an expedition to uncover the mysteries of the African wilderness.
- Immerse myself in the local culture, learning their customs and traditions.
- Seek out the wisdom of the elders and listen to their stories.
- I’d probably just stay home and read the book.
Which of these issues, commonly faced in colonial situations, would you enjoy the most: mediating disputes between tribes, overseeing trade and commerce, or exploring uncharted territories?
- Mediating disputes between tribes. I’m a natural peacemaker.
- Overseeing trade and commerce. I have a knack for business and enjoy fostering economic growth.
- Exploring uncharted territories. I’m an adventurer at heart.
- I’d probably try to get someone else to do it for me.
When you think about the legacy of colonialism, what are you most concerned about?
- The lasting impact of exploitation and injustice on colonized communities.
- The perpetuation of stereotypes and prejudices that continue to fuel division.
- The need for reconciliation and healing between former colonizers and colonized peoples.
- That history will continue to repeat itself if we don’t learn from the past.
What aspect of Sanders’ character makes you the most happy?
- His sense of duty and his commitment to upholding the law.
- His pragmatism and his ability to adapt to challenging situations.
- His underlying respect for the native cultures, despite his role in the colonial system.
- Honestly, nothing really makes me happy about that guy.
What is most likely to make you feel down about the themes explored in Sanders of the River?
- The realization that history is full of similar stories of oppression and injustice.
- The fear that we haven’t learned from the past and that these patterns will continue.
- The overwhelming feeling of sadness for the suffering and loss endured by colonized people.
- It makes me feel like people will never change.
In a perfect world, what would the relationship between the British and the native tribes in Sanders of the River look like?
- One based on mutual respect, cooperation, and understanding.
- One where both cultures can coexist and thrive without one dominating the other.
- One where the injustices of the past are acknowledged and addressed.
- I don’t think there is such a thing as a perfect world.
If you could wave a magic wand, what would the perfect outcome of the events in Sanders of the River be?
- A peaceful resolution where all parties come together to create a more just and equitable society.
- The restoration of the native tribes’ autonomy and self-determination.
- A future where the lessons of the past are learned and the mistakes are not repeated.
- I’d rather not get involved in hypotheticals like that.
How often do you challenge your own assumptions and biases about other cultures?
- Every chance I get!
- Fairly often. It’s something I’m working on.
- I try to be open-minded, but I’m sure I have blind spots.
- Not very often. I am who I am.
Which member of a tribal community are you?
- The Wise Elder, offering guidance and sharing knowledge based on experience.
- The Skilled Hunter, resourceful and adaptable, providing for the community.
- The Gifted Storyteller, captivating audiences with tales that preserve history and tradition.
- The Spiritual Healer, using ancient wisdom and intuition to restore balance and well-being.
Someone asks you “How does this whole colonialism thing make you feel?” What’s the actual answer, not just “It’s complicated?”
- Deeply saddened and troubled by the exploitation and injustice inflicted on colonized people.
- Motivated to learn more about the history and legacy of colonialism so I can be a part of creating a more just future.
- Angry and frustrated that these systems of oppression continue to exist in various forms today.
- I honestly don’t know enough about it to have a strong opinion.
What place do you most want to explore to learn more about the impact of colonialism and the resilience of indigenous cultures?
- A former colony where I can hear firsthand accounts from those impacted by colonial rule.
- A museum or cultural center dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of indigenous communities.
- A remote village where traditional ways of life are still practiced.
- I prefer to travel to more relaxing destinations.
What’s your favorite memory of a time when you learned something new and valuable about a culture different from your own?
- It was eye-opening to realize how much I didn’t know and how much I had to learn.
- It made me question my own assumptions and appreciate the diversity of human experience.
- It sparked a lifelong interest in learning about other cultures.
- I’ve been meaning to branch out more, but I haven’t gotten around to it yet.