The Third Option

For some people it can be hard to both establish their own identity while continuing to honor their family’s culture. In this day and age, in America at least, it seems to be less of an issue. It is common for people to have the best of both worlds in this sense. It certainly is possible. We get to make choices to establish just who we are in society.

Personally, I come from a very diverse background. I am American (of course),German, English, Italian, Scottish, Irish, Spanish, Mexican, and Dutch. It can be hard for me to pinpoint one particular culture to celebrate, so every year my parents try to take me somewhere with ties to my heritage to help me appreciate where I’m from. I’ve been all over the world and have seen a great number of the countries that were home to my ancestors. Furthermore, a large portion of my mother’s family was from Mexico and Spain, so she taught me Spanish as a second language when I was a child and I am fluent. It is very useful and I am proud of it. Additionally, my mother always celebrates this culture by cooking traditional dishes.

Another way I celebrate my heritage is through my practice of Catholicism. Both of my parents were cradle Catholics and have passed it down to me. I am currently going through the process of being confirmed into the Catholic Church. We celebrate all of the Christian holidays like Easter, Christmas, etc. I do not celebrate any other holidays that are significant to my culture; this is how I establish my own identity. Our family is usually out of the country for the 4^th of July, but we are proud Americans that celebrate it wherever we are.

I am not particularly torn between two cultures so I do not have a big issue with tying my cultural backgrounds together. I establish myself as an individual through the music I listen to, clothes I wear, and hobbies I practice. I think that it is possible for everyone to express his or her cultural background while still being unique. There is a 3^rd option; we don’t have to choose one way or the other.