Culture, by my opinion, consists of the beliefs, morals, and traditions one is raised with. It’s not created out of nowhere; it is passed on from generation to generation. There are many cultures, mine being Mexican-American. My customs and beliefs come from a mix of both, not either one or the other. My parents immigrated from Mexico in 1981 to give my siblings and I better lives. They didn’t want us to go through the hardships they did when they were our age. However, that didn’t keep us from learning about Mexican roots. My parents taught us Spanish from the very beginning, not only to lose our Mexican roots, but also because they didn’t know any English when coming to this country. My siblings were already in their teen years when I was …show more content…
My accent is not very heavy due to the fact that I learned both English and Spanish while I was still young. Being Mexican kind of taught me to have a fun, upbeat tone, while the American side of me taught me to speak professionally and in a serious tone. When speaking Spanish, my voice is a bit more cheery and friendly because us Mexicans were taught to always give a very positive introduction. Learning English, however, I was taught that I should keep a low, respectful voice and introduce myself as if I was meeting someone of upmost importance every time I meet someone new. My opinions, though, are mostly influenced by my Mexican culture, like my opinion that people who immigrated to this country for a better life should not have to be …show more content…
By that, I mean that we aren’t given as much importance as, say, Americans or Europeans. This only pushes me to work harder for what I want and do whatever it takes to stand out and show that I am perfect for whatever I’m pursuing. Not being given as much importance is also due to common misconceptions of my culture, like the misconception that Donald Trump and many others have. “They’re bringing drugs, they’re bringing crime, they’re rapists,” Trump stated about the Mexican people. Sure there may be a number of people who are criminals that are of my nationality, but all nationalities have criminals. Most Mexicans who come to this country don’t come to find or create crime, but rather to escape it. They want to live a better life and provide better for their families, so they come to the land where all dreams are real in order to do that. However, misconceptions like these keep Mexicans from gaining opportunities they deserve and lose them to others who do not deserve
At my understanding, the term Hispanic is wrongly used when referring to a race. Being Hispanic is, of course, to belong to an ethnic group, but it is much more than that. It is not about the color of your skin or your hair, but about culture, tradition, and manners. All started with the Spanish and Portuguese colonization of South and Central America. From Europe came the adventurous men, full of ambitions and courage. These attributes blended with the strength and energy of African slaves and the Native Americans, and this mixture led to the born of this new culture that we called Hispanic.
Many people used to think that their heritage means nothing to them, but for me it means a lot. Growing up my family would always talk in Spanish or they would talk about how they love being Mexican, but I never fully understood why being Mexican was so important to my family. One day I decided to sit down with my parents, and ask them why is our Mexican heritage so important? They would tell me all sorts of stories such as: how they were apart of a dance group called Ballet Folklorico De Topeka, my mom would always tell me how she likes listening/singing to music. Me personally Mexican music is so much better than songs in English. Why I say that is because Mexican music is so much more poetic.
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As I begin this essay comparing two separate cultures I feel it is necessary to first describe what exactly culture is. Culture has been called "the way of life for an entire society." It includes codes of manners, dress, language, religion, rituals, norms of behavior such as law and morality, and systems of belief.
Cultural identity is the identity or feeling of belonging to a group. It is part of a person’s self-conception and self-perception and is related to nationality, ethnicity, religion, social class, generation, locality or any kind of social group that has it's own distinct culture, my culture identity is being Mexican American.
In our society today, culture is not what it used to be hundreds of years ago. There is no more “pure” culture. Our culture today is enriched with many different traditions and customs that are being shared and adopted. Due to emigration and immigration, a variety of diverse customs, beliefs, and knowledge moved with every exiting and entering human being. Thus, changing and shaping the culture of many. Throughout the world, the beliefs and religious views of culture are dissimilar around the world. By taking the time to read, listen and learn about certain people’s culture, there will be knowledge and understanding that will be gained.
As long as I can remember my accent has always played a role in my life. There have been moments of uncertainty, discouragement, annoyance, and lastly pride. Throughout each emotional stage I’ve learn acceptance and responsibility of what defines me as a women who happens to be Latina. In Tanya Barrientos “Se Habla Español” she defines what resonates within me “Without having to offer apologies or show remorse. If it will help, I will go first. Aqui estoy. Spanish-challenged and pura Latina (45). She beautifully states the acceptance that too many find difficulty fitting in. Especially in a world that will defined you not only by your looks but as well as the way you speak.
A misperception of the global community is that countries are comprised of a single culture. In this compartmentalized worldview, a country has the same food, ideas, and traditions as if our national borders are the only aspect to define us. However, Mexico is far from a homogenized culture or identity; there is a myriad of differences within present day Mexico and the Mexican-American Community. In Chicago, the Westside neighborhood of Pilsen showcases the rich diversity of Mexican culture. Pilsen has changed hands as many immigrants thrived in its streets throughout the century and is now predominantly Latino/Mexican. The small neighborhood’s vibrant culture is encapsulated in the brilliantly colored painted murals featured on many building,
The language accent in Mexican people has a particular significance. The accent comes with stress. The Mexican Citizens put effort to learn English as a second language. However, it’s understandable that the accent of an American won’t be the same. As another person who comes from outside of the United States, An Example; in the play “Los Vendidos” Valdez talks about the multiple stereotypes of Mexican
An immigrant's culture and beliefs take a shift, sometimes going extinct, or they evolve to include elements from both countries; where they grew up, and where they’ll grow old. Transculturation is key in order to fit into a new society, those who do it well have a smoother time transitioning. For example the Hmong and Mexicans both had to flee their country, but the Mexicans found it easier to transition to the American culture than the Hmongs.The Hmongs never thought they would leave their home in Laos, they were happy and thriving on their lands. Unfortunately war struck and the Hmong agreed to help the US fight back, due to their involvement in the war, they were seen as traders, therefore they were persecuted by the Vietnamese. Due to this the Hmong people suffered in
Imagine someone is lost, standing in a checkout line at a corner drugstore. They need directions to get back on the road. The couple in front of them is having a very engaging conversation, fluently, in Spanish. Most would not even give an effort to talk or ask where to go, but why not? Too often the assumption is made that people who speak Spanish are immigrants, and do not speak English well. Hispanics are, persons of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American descent, other Spanish culture or origin regardless of race. Too often the assumption is made that Spanish-speakers are unamerican, lazy, receive low income, or are uneducated in any way. Hispanics are also demonized in the media as people who are stealing American jobs. That is the belief that some Americans associate with Hispanics.
This is a narrative of one Mexican American woman’s experiences and her views on the importance of passing down the cultural beliefs of her ancestors. In the section of the country in which I live there is a large population within the community of Mexican American culture. Although I have frequent contact with people of Mexican American heritage either through employment or interaction out in the community, I have a limited understanding of their culture. For this reason, I chose to learn more about the population of people I have frequent contact with and as a professional work with as clients in the field of mental health counseling. The quest of finding someone knowledgeable to discuss the population, their cultural background and some of their necessities, as well as some past experiences, led me towards contacting a church. This took calling two different churches before the person at the second church informed me that I needed to speak with, Mrs. Socorro Garcia head of their Hispanic Ministries. Unfortunately, Mrs. Garcia was on vacation when I called, but I was able to speak with her over the phone the following week, setting up an interview in person at her office a couple days later. This was a relief because I was becoming concerned about locating someone for a personal interview.
Every culture has their own unique and distinguishing characteristics. One’s cultural identity defines who they are as an individual, group, and community. Their cultural identity may be reflected in numerous ways such as: language, communication styles, religion, beliefs, values, clothing, or other types of aesthetic markers. Cultural identity is formed by many of these traits but is not limited to these specifically. This essay will provide detailed information on Mexican Americans, and their ancestry and heritage. I will also explain about this cultures central beliefs and values, while incorporating information on Mexican Americans, cultural patterns, cultural identity, and their cultures communication characteristics and styles.
Culture is something that immigrants brought to America with them. Culture does not depend on race, culture is what makes a person who they are, culture is someone’s traditions, morals, values, food, etc. People often identify each other with their race instead culture which should not happen according to Richard Rodriguez, the author of the argument “Blaxican”. Rodriguez said “Culture is fluid. Culture is smoke. You breathe it. You eat it.” When Rodriguez said this he was saying that culture is what is around you and you can not get away from it. For example, if you live in a
Being a Latina born in America and growing up here, I was taught celebrating American culture like Memorial, Independence and Labor Day, with the explosion of bright, colorful fireworks, the smell of fire when turning on the grill and the best part; no school! As well as celebrating Christmas and New Years the American way, going to church, eating, and opening presents on Christmas day are holidays I've grown up to enjoy and celebrate a certain way. It wasn’t until 4 years ago I went to Mexico and realized there’s more to my own rooted culture and how lucky I am to have both the American and Mexican culture in my life realizing the generation of Mexican Americans are forming their own culture with both lifestyles.