Being An American Culture Essay

Unfortunately, the concept of identifying with a heritage group one is not born of can be looked upon with disdain by others. Two more points the author makes is that Americans appreciate their individuality, yet our unique backgrounds help to continually form our blended culture (Rodriguez 730).

Culturally, I identify more with the United States mainstream culture. I did not know that I was partially Norwegian until I began writing this paper. I find it very interesting to know where I came from and how my ancestors got to this country. It is also very interesting to learn all of the things that they believe in and what they like to do. However, seeing as I never knew that part of my life, I never had the change to experience that part. I have also identified more with the United States culture seeing as most of my family, from what we know, have been born here.

When asked to define ones cultural identity people usually take the path that leads to their country of origin. They describe their beliefs and tradition which mirrors the values of people within that geographic location. But what about the people who are torn between two cultures? How would they define their cultural identity? This is the problem faced by Henry Park, the protagonist of the book Native Speaker by Chang-Rae Lee. Originally from Korea, he immigrated to the United States with his parents when he was little. However, his struggle of trying to find his acceptance into the American culture still continues. The book outlines his endless uncertainty of trying to define his cultural identity and his feelings as an

5. How much of your self-identity is formed through your interactions with other people? To what extent do you think your identity is determined by your culture and by family, friends and so on? Please give reasons

Ethnic distinctiveness is expected to eventually disappear, when it comes to third or fourth generation children. (Golash-Boza, 2006) Ethnic distinctiveness is directly related to ethnic identification and how a person sees themselves. (Golash-Boza, 2006) In society there are African-Americans, Asian-Americans, Latino(a)-Americans and Americans. The question of losing the hyphenation and just calling yourself “American” effect on integrating yourself into the American culture was raised and if so does calling yourself American rather than Latino(a) American mean that you have completely lost your ethnic identity? Ethnic identification plays a big role on cultural assimilation into the American culture. A survey was done to explore the relationship between ethnic identification and cultural assimilation and how it differs between the children of foreign born and U.S. born parents.

The culture that I identify with is Mexican American. My parents are Mexicans, but I was born in California. Culture is important for everybody as it defines us from language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts. All cultures are important, there is not one culture more important than the others. Culture involves both material culture and non-material culture. Material cultures is the physical evidence of a culture in the objects and architecture they make, or have made. Examples of material culture: art history, archeology, museums. Non-material culture is the thoughts or ideas for examples any ideas, beliefs, values, norms that help shape a society. Any believe that people who are born in the United States and their parents are

For my cultural Identity, I identify as a Greek-American. My culture can be seen in food, Education, religion, language , music, art, dance, history, and architecture. All of these things can be combined into one thing, my culture's morals. I say this because with everything we do we think about what our parents or grandparents would say, how if affects others, and how it affects our reputation. Whenever have a fork in the rode and I need to make a decision, I always think upon my culture's morals to make the right decision.

This project was very interesting, and what I noticed, there is people from the same ethnicity who have different opinions about what an American is. When I was interviewed my coworker who is a Mexican American (person 2), a friend who is a Mexican American as well was there hearing the interview. I asked her what is her ethnicity and if she consider herself an American. She told me that she is a Mexican American because she was born here and her parents are from Mexico. Same thing with her ex-husband. However, she does not consider her son a Mexican American because both of his parents are born here. My coworker asked her, “Why did you say that if he is your parents’ grandson? He has Mexican blood”. And she said, “Because I am the first generation

As previously stated in this paper, forming cultural identity may be more complicated today than ever. However, it is a critical part of a total structure of collective and individual identity. Based on the text, models of ethnic and cultural identity have increased dramatically over the last few decades. Today, most ethnic groups are accepting the fact that the United States is the most ethically diverse place to live and to raise a

My cultural identity, as I know is Mexican American because both my parents are born in Mexico and I was born here. I can also be defined as a Chicana because that is another way used to call a Mexican American. My culture can be seen in so many different ways like for example it can be seen in food, music, religion, dance, art, festivals, and even more. Most of these traditions have changed a little bit over time as they were brought to the U.S. What I mean by that is that some of those traditions were brought from Mexico, and had a little change into them because they were combined with some traditions that have already been here in the U.S.

What is my cultural identity? Personally, I don’t think I am completely assured on what my cultural identity is, but I can do my best on explaining it. However, I won’t get started on that yet, first I’ll explain the occasion of me learning about my identity. At almost the beginning of the year, it was announced in our English class that we would be doing an essay on our cultural identities. When my teacher announced this I thought to myself, “What in the world is a cultural identity, or even my cultural identity?” In these months, we have gotten to learn the definition of culture, and what it means to us, individually., I believe that culture means a group of people that share the same customs, way of life, and beliefs. Also, over these last couple of months we have been reading texts all about people knowing and understanding their cultural identities, meanwhile I still didn’t understand my own. All I know is that I was born on February 11, 2002, I like movies and music, and my mom is from Chile and my Dad is from Virginia. Now that didn’t feel like enough for me to write on, but then I started thinking about all of the cultural differences that my parents have had raising me as a person, and how those have all combined to make me. In my short 15 years of life, the culture clashes have sometimes affected me on my thoughts and opinions, which I’ll talk about later on. As well as how movies and music have affected my perspectives and opinions.

My ethnicity plays a huge part of my cultural identity. My family originates fully from different parts of Russia and the former Soviet Union. I have been to Russia twice, the first time when I was about nine months old(I don't remember anything) and the second time is when I was seven. Usually when a person goes to a place that they have never been to the experience a cultural shock, but I didn't because I was raised in a similar culture as the one I visited. As a Russian I grew up having my parents tell me that I have to speak only Russian at home so then when I grow up and marry and have kids, I would be able to teach my (future) children their native language. My parents taught me to read, write and speak in proper russian, and the same is expected of me. I also grew up eating a lot of Russian food, the most common ones I had were borsh- a beet and cabbage red soup. Blini- our version of the French Crȇpe

For the past 7 years when someone would ask me about my nationality, I always answered with Pindia. Although this is not a country, it is where I am from. My father is from Pakistan and my mother is from India, being from 2 conflicting cultures, I find it tough to fit in only one. Furthermore, I was born in the US and I currently am in an American School. But, I also feel as though the American culture has been

The first, and arguably one of the most important characteristics of my cultural identity is my ethnicity. I come from a traditional Indian household, where both my parents grew up in India. My ancestors are from Tamil Nadu which is in the southeast

The way that I see my cultural starts from the cultural traits that I have been passed down my parents. Coming from a background of a Latin Mexican culture, my parents and family have had a great influence on how I culturally identify myself giving me the opportunity to acquire my own cultural identity. I see myself classified as a