What would be of a world with no sense of social constructs where all humans were considered the same? When I first arrived in the United States, I was only 12 years old. Before arriving in America I grew up in a small town by the name of ̈Santa Maria del Oro ̈ located in Jalisco, Mexico. To me it was a safe and socially friendly place to live. There used to be events like carnivals, dances, parties, religious events and lots more. Then it all began to change as the town deteriorated to an unsafe and dangerous place. Fortunately when I moved to America, everything changed. My cultural identity has been influenced by many aspects. From my taste of the cuisine, the music I listen to, how I communicate, and even my style of dress.
Cuisine has
...been a major aspect of my cultural identity as it has diverged to a duality of cultures. As a hispanic native, a tradition of ours is the amount of spice involved in our foods and the rather ̈pleasant ̈ taste it offers us. Yet coming to America, I noticed that the love of my spice shared by my hispanic culture was not exactly what was the main tradition as America is the land of diversity. To support this in the book 'Ethnic Hash' states 'we like watermelon in our family' (Williams, 14) describes what their culture and family prefer. This relates to me because just like this certain individuals enjoy watermelon I enjoy spices along with my family due to my heritage. Here in the United States, I was also able to try many different foods. When I
first arrived here, I had never tried a hamburger before, but when I was first introduced to the flavor of one it was a miraculous experience. Not all my experiences at McDonald's were the most pleasant since I even came across a drink known as a caramel frappé, which to me was a bunch of a sugar with a hint of coffee and caramel. That experience was not the best since in the culture I originated from, youngsters my age were used to mostly water with juices as an exclusive or for days of celebration. That is why the cuisine has played a major role in building my cultural identity.
The style to the rhythm of music is another particular aspect that has impacted me in a certain way in which I identify myself. As a Latino, I am accustomed to Banda or Mariachi as the party rhythms, yet coming across american parties most was pop. This can be seen in the book titled , Biography of 'Frida Kahlo', 'she formed a circle around the bed and sang Mexican ballads with her until well past midnight' (Herrera, 33). This illustrates how the preference of music defines whether or not you fit. When I moved to the United States, I began to listen to different types of music and rhythms. Sometimes I found myself coming across music which was very fast like rap or soothing yet no understandable since it was all in english. Before becoming accustomed I wasn't a huge fan since it was almost like a sense of xenophobia, but eventually I started to grow accustomed to them, and in a short period of time,
they were not only in my playlist, but they had become a part of my identity.
Language is very important in the way humans communicate since human tendency is to be very tribalistic. Each member of my family speaks Spanish, so I grew up speaking Spanish, which was the first and only language I could speak at that time. In the 'Legal Alien' poetry, 'you can speak Spanish but you are not like me' (Mora, 40). The author presents an example of how another race is criticizing her because even she can speak and understand the same language they do. She feels that she could never be a part of her own culture, even the most she tried. My first day of school at an American was challenging because every word the teacher and students said was in English, which I could not understand. It was as if he was listening to a scratched record that he could not understand a single word. Then I started getting more help and got into a beginner English class that was during 2 hours of my school day. I decided to do my best to do my best to learn English and I did it. After a year I could have a brief conversation. Now, after 4 years, I can speak English and Spanish fluently, sometimes there are words I don't know, but I look for them and memorize them in both languages.
I was born from where my father is, in Jalisco, Mexico, a little town called Santa Maria Del Oro. Since I was a day old I lived in Jalisco, so for me that is a small town
and I feel I belong there. In 'About the artist', background information 'This tension between living in one world and yearning to be in another' (Herrera, 37). This quote describes how Frida Kahlo felt when she moved to the United States. She was there, but she never felt part of it, she missed Mexico and its culture. I identify myself on this date because I was used to my culture in Mexico and when I moved to California everything changed, even the laws. During my first month living in Salinas, I felt lost as if I didn't belong here and I didn't want to be here either. I always talked to me about returning to Mexico, but she always said no. I even proposed that she could stay here with my mother and that I could return to Mexico and live with my grandfather as I was before. My grandfather was like a second father to me because he took care of me since I was three years old. My location is another aspect that has changed who I am today.
Finally, the way I dress is another aspect that has defined me and allowed me to express myself. I've always dressed as I feel more comfortable. In the biography of 'Frida Kahlo,' 'Frida flaunted her joy in the way a peacock extends her tail' (Herrera, 34) explains how she feels the way she dresses. As I remember, I have always chosen my clothes, for me, it doesn't matter if it looks good or not, as long as I like it and I feel comfortable, everything is fine. I have never liked to wear nice pants,
there would be occasions when we were invited to parties and my grandfather I lived with always made me wear nice pants. Sometimes, in reality, I put on my pants, but sometimes I just didn't feel like it and didn't wear it, even if Grandpa scolded me. Clothes are part of me and also of my personality.
To conclude, moving to the United States made a big difference, especially for me in my culture. Now I know two cultures, American culture and Mexican culture, and both have delicious meals. Also, the rhythm of the music is different, but I think either is great and expresses different emotions. I even learned another language, and now I can communicate in English and Spanish, and I am also planning to learn Chinese and French. Mexico is part of me because it is where I grew up and where I was born, and I hope that one day I can return and also travel to different countries to learn more about new cultures. The clothes have been mainly part of me because I dress as I feel more comfortable. Those five aspects have shaped my identity of who I am today.
