After reading Box 13.9, p.400, the concept of "a la carte ethnicity" reminded me of the struggles I had gone through over the last 30 years. In retrospect I agree with the "a la carte" concept and that we (I) choose to identify with certain aspects of my Mexican heritage. Growing up in East San Jose allowed me the opportunity to experience the freedom of diversity and engage with authority figures (teachers) that were tolerant of the bigotry that resonated around the area in the late 1970’s.
My parents, first generation Mexicans, demonstrated to me that hard work and a pursuit of your dream could bring about success. In order to pursue my dreams of success I felt that I needed to distance myself from the common identifications of my culture: music, hairstyles, names,etc.
Now that I have matured I find myself identifying more with my heritage and letting the youth around me (I speak at local high schools and colleges) know that it’s not a rarity to be Mexican and be a leader in your community. What’s interesting about these thoughts I have about my cultural identity is that they (students) have moved past my cultural struggle--I think I’m getting more out of this "cultural awakening" than they are.
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1 comment:
This is very interesting and very common in America that people migrate from various countries. I am an Indian ( born and brought up in India) and i have many friends who are Indians but are born and brought up in America. It is hard for them to understand about their culture when they are young but as the years pass by and they understand more and there is a lot of effect of their families. I have seen this for a fact that people who speak their mother tongue at home are in some way more connected to their culture and heritage. In the same way i think it is a very good culture for an organization to have their own language which brings a special bond and connection among each other.
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