My family, in my eyes, is perfectly normal. I was blessed to have been born into a family with strong Latina and American influence. My mother came from a completely different atmosphere and strongly held onto her culture. Being from Chile in South America, my mother tried to maintain a strong Latin influence in my brother and my lives despite the fact that my dad knew nothing about her culture. From speaking the language, to celebrating holidays and traditions, and eating the food, my mother made sure we knew our heritage as well as hers in order to pass this heritage down from generations to generations. She started with us when we were newborns. For example every word she spoke to us was in Spanish from the moment we woke up to …show more content…
Like other holidays, we invite all friends and family to celebrate Chile’s and America’s independence while we enjoy authentic, homemade, Latin food, dance and enjoy music. During the Independence Day celebration, there are a few practices that stand out. For example, Chile has a very traditional dance derived from the country known as la cueca. During this dance, the male dancer is supposed to symbolize a rooster attempting to win over a hen while they both dance in circles around one another as a hen would seduce a rooster, and the rooster would playfully chase the hen. It is a beautiful dance that my mother always wanted my brother and me to learn; however I have never gotten the chance to learn it. After watching two dancers perform la cueca, we gather around while two children hold a Chilean flag and two more hold the American flag. With an old cd player, we first sing along to the American national anthem to pay respect to the country we made our home. After singing to the American version, we would switch the CDs and sing the Chilean national anthem to express the love for our Chilean heritage. I always loved the respect for America that my family and friends have always tried to show when celebrating our Latina culture. We have always celebrated both countries accordingly and try to respect both
School children also often get a chance to try their hands at creating basic Mexican cuisine. In some areas of the southwest, particularly in the city of Los Angeles, celebrations of regional Mexican dancing and music are held. However, regardless of the area of celebration, one could almost certainly find mariachi band filled restaurants, outdoor festivities, and social gatherings with large amounts of Dos Equis and Corona beer for the adults. Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a day that focuses on celebrating Mexican heritage and the Mexican way of life, but still pays homage to the battle that gave way to Mexico’s independence. Whether one is dancing in a large parade, or simply bonding with loved ones, it is important to always recognize the true purpose of Cinco de Mayo, and to remember and thank those who helped secure Mexico’s freedom so many years ago.
Growing up in a Mexican-American family can be very fun and crazy. Having two different perspectives on two different cultures almost daily really shapes you to become a certain way as you grow up, which is what happened to me. Ever since I was about three months old I have been taking trips to my parents home town for a month time each time we have gone. Practically growing up in both Mexico and the United States for six years has really helped me understand my cultural background and the different parts of my whole culture, such as the food, heritage, language and culture.
I not only had the influences of the Mexican culture, I was able to experience the good old fashioned American family values as well. My mother was the heart of the family. She was the one who cooked, cleaned and cared for her children full time. My father was generally the one in charge and took care of many of the decision making scenarios.
I am familiar with both the Mexican culture and the regular American Culture. Those two cultures aren’t alike. Mexicans celebrate different holidays. In American culture, we celebrate 4th of July because of the declaration of independence. But in Mexican culture, we also celebrate Independence Day but on the 16th of September, because we won the war against the Spaniards. Also, in American culture we celebrate the holiday that all kids love, Halloween on October 31st. Halloween is a day to go trick-or-treating and have fun. In Mexico, we celebrate “El Día De Los Muertos “(Day of The Dead) on November 1st. Day of the dead is a day where we remember all the people that have died and that holiday is in honor of them. Mexicans also celebrate “El Día De Los Reyes Magos” also known as “Day Of The Three Wise Men”. This day is celebrated for the day that the three wise men took each 1 gift to the Virgin Mary’s son. Columbus Day is a holiday that is celebrated in both American and Mexican culture. But besides the holidays, Mexican food is different from the all American food that is seen everyday. From pozole, tacos, quesadillas, and so many other foods, the cultures aren’t the same.
The United States and cultural myths pertaining to this country have been a topic of discussion for many years. Stephanie Coontz’s “The Way We Wish We Were”, David Brooks’ “One Nation Slightly Divisible” and Margaret Atwood’s “A Letter to America” are all essays about different American cultural myths. Each author focuses on a different cultural myth that pertains to the United States. They explain how these myths are thwarting a realistic view of America. As well as changing the perception of the country as a whole. The major cultural myths of America among the texts are about “ideal families”, “ideal lifestyles, and a “ideal country.”
Most kids have ideas of what they want to be when they grow up. Astronauts and princesses, ninjas and cowboys, rock stars and pro athletes all seem to be an achievable profession when we are young. It is not until we age where we find that reaching for the stars can leave a person hitting back down on earth pretty hard. However, I was never one of these kids. My entire life I have never had any idea of what I wanted to do for a living, at least not until I started watching a television show called Our America With Lisa Ling. There was something about Lisa Ling that captivated my attention and left me inspired. For the first time in my life I know what I wanted to be. I wanted to be just like Lisa Ling. I admire Lisa Ling for her ability to connect with her audience and the depth she brings to the topic.
Hispanic American community are rooted from their origins in Cuba, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and other Spanish speaking countries that have come together and form a culture in the United State of America. The culture is built in different categories; for instance, religion, social custom, health practices their privacy, and birth. They come from a comprehensive familiar culture that has been called the second in America. Because of their pride and affection they feel unsafe to give up their past. Their notoriety in the United State has been their resistance to assimilate; their guarded image of Hispanic-American culture has been the tongue of flame. However, their remarkable legacy, Hispanics carry from Latin America is not their language, an inflatable skin, but breathe itself, capacity of soul, an inclination to live. The genius of Latin America is the habit synthesis. Their dance is colorful and beautiful. The dance is to keep in touch with their culture, pass down their culture heritage, and to unite people from different ethnicity who share their passion for dance. Through dancing, help in meditation, to promote health, and spiritual well being.
I decided to analyze the poem English con Salsa by Gina Valdes, because I can identify myself with this poem in many different aspects. Both my parents and I were born in Mexico, but decided to move to the United States on February of 2000. With us moving here, we brought along our traditions and customs. My family has a blend of American culture with Latino culture since a few of my uncles married American women and had children. I feel that Valdes poem is about finding that “in between” feelings that are brought up when two cultures are mixed together.
I come from a Mexican family. This has shown me the many similarities, as well as differences in a Mexican family compared to an American family. From a young age we are taught that the value of family is the most important thing in the world. Most Americans encourage their children to move out after graduation from either high school or college, Mexicans believe that their children should live with them until they are married or around the ages of 25-30 years old. The most important family member in the Mexican family are the elderly. They are given special treatment and attention. For example our beliefs is that the elders shouldn't go to retirement homes. They are welcome in the family and are cared for until there last days. Grandchildren are taught to be respectful and to aways Listen to the elders, especially if they're your grandparents.
Many countries have the pleasure of celebrating Independence Days. These historic holidays are filled with nationalistic celebrations and delicious traditional food. In Chile, the natives celebrate their break from Spain with Fiestas Patrias. In Mexico, the president begins the celebration by ringing a bell and reciting the “Grito de Dolores” and he ends his speech by saying “Viva Mexico” three times.
The customs they learned as kids have been passed on to me. We were always having barbeques in the backyard, Christmas parties, Easter egg hunting, having pan de los muertos on the Day of the Death, and celebrating Mexico’s Independence. Even though we celebrate Mexican holidays we would also celebrate American Holidays like 4th of July, Halloween, and Thanksgiving. Having to celebrate both cultures holidays was a pleasure, because it would give us time to see our family more. Also, we would be able to celebrate some holidays twice like mother's day because in Mexico it was always on the tenth of May and in America it was another
“Every culture has a unique set of values, traditions, and norms. The general culture of Mexican American families have a strong foundation of unity”(Garcia). Mexican Americans value and it gives a sense of strength. Overall, Mexican American families have role that are always changing, values that are always true, the number of members in each household and all the unique celebrations. All bring out the cultural identity and individuality of Mexican culture.
It is certainly somewhat of a comforting chaos. This past Christmas, I spent time alone with my Mother and Step- Father, and it was just not the same. My Mother had an argument with her brother and as many Latinas are, head strong, she refused to join the rest of the family.
What scrips about appropriate behaviors did you learn from the cultural setting of your childhood?
There are a lot of different cultures in the world we live in today. Finding the place you belong and discovering your own culture can be a challenge. This is especially true when you look at culture as an individual versus culture in your family, or even within your community. I’ve always been very family oriented, so that plays a big part in who I am and how my family’s dynamic works. I believe that my family has had a huge impact on the development of my culture, and I hope that I have had the same impact on theirs.