Ethnography

Ethnography is a "method of studying and learning about a person or group of people," (Ethnography 2003, 1). Ethnography reveals a great deal about an individual or group of individuals. Ethnographies are descriptive and interpretive, often combining specific details and determinations of significance of observations. Because of the richness of ethnography, Clifford Geerts in Other Important Definitions of Culture coined the term "thick description" to describe the methodology of the ethnographer, (Ethnography 2003, 1). My ethnography involved a series of interviews with Michael von Plato, a 74-year-old German immigrant to the U.S. Michael immigrated to America with his family when he was 13 years old in 1942. In 1939, Michael and his family lived in England prior to emigrating to the U.S. Michael and his family were fond of movie-going and routinely visited picture shows. In 1939, Michael enjoyed The Wizard of Oz, Gone With The Wind, and Dark Victory with his family. From my ethnography of Michael, I discovered that many immigrants to America learned their knowledge of our country through our exported cinema. This learning greatly shaped immigrant expectations of the U.S. before arriving here.

The von Plato's wished to leave Europe because of rising tensions and conflict. They had already left Germany because Michael's father grew concerned over the rise in power and actions of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party. Despite the perilous times, Michael to

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