Running Head: MY CULTURAL
My Cultural Autobiography
Nancy Domanski
Sir Frances Bacon said, “If a man be gracious to strangers, it shows that he is a citizen of the world, and his heart is no island cut off from other islands, but a continent that joins them,” (Jenkins, 1994). This quote represents all the core values that I cherish and to which I adhere. Personal culture doesn’t have to be linked to a certain country of origin or a specific ethnicity; it can be as simple as a person’s core values. The Southern way of life is a culture all in itself. Growing up south of the Mason-Dixon Line in the United States has instilled in me many values including honesty, integrity and a genuine concern for my fellow man. Most
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I think it is because of how different the food is and how many choices are available. I am proud that I have continued this tradition with my children for many reasons, but manly because it opens their minds to new people and cultures. I think this tradition that my mother started was pretty progressive for her time. She never seemed to be restrained by the typical female roles of most women of her time. She somehow managed to remain true to her southern traditions while blending them into a progressive way of thinking. I think I am the same, in that I am trying to teach my daughter respect for others, especially her elders, while making sure her own thoughts are valued as well. My brother, Mike, recently reminded me of another very strong southern value that I too feel passionate about when he said, “Don’t ask me for a handout, but I am always willing to give you a hand up.” By this is meant, southerners are always willing to help someone better themselves or their situation. If they are hungry, feed them and show them how to feed themselves. If they need a job, teach them the skills needed to find a job—not give them money. To us, throwing money at a situation is not helping. It is demeaning to the receiver and it will most likely encourage the problem. More simply put, if you give a man a fish, he will eat for a day. If you teach a man to fish, he will feed himself forever.
Growing up in a predominantly white town, and being white myself, in many ways I still felt as though I was a minority. My ability to tan quite easily rendered my Cherokee heritage quite evident. I was raised as an atheist in a primarily Baptist Christian Town and my parents perfectly fit the stereotype of born-again, hippy, tree-hugging vegetarians in an environment surrounded by pick-up trucks, guns and bacon on everything imaginable. I was different, and I felt it.
I come from two very different cultures Russian and American. Moving to the United States at age fourteen, I could recognize the differences in classes and gender in both of the cultures. But there is one fact, you can’t tell class difference by appearance.
My life started with my long and hard birth on July 14, 1993. I came into the world with a large scream and was immediately placed into some sort of category. The doctors and nurses took a quick look at me, and pronounced me as a girl. This social label of being a girl was now my gender, which is something I had no say in. Every since that very moment in time where my parents were told I was a girl, I have been treated according to my gender. This meant that my parents automatically dressed me in pink, bought me dollhouses and kitchen sets and threw me Barbie themed birthday parties. Since I was surrounded my whole entire life by these things, it was almost like second nature to think and act the way that I did and still do. My
“Well, it’s a bit of a foreign idea to me, really. The town I’m from, my school was 99% white. Literally, we had two black girls and a half-Peruvian guy in my class of 140. So the emphasis on diversity is interesting to me, more than anything. Because I can’t relate to it. I’ve never seen it in action, as it were.
I am a girl with two heads. At home, I wear my Chinese head, in school I wear my English head. Being an Asian, or Chinese, as it is commonly referred to, my culture plays a key role in the development of who I am and what I do, my personal identity. An identity is the distinguishing character or personality of an individual. Parents are often one of the key factors of this culturally developed personal identity.
mostly of Caucasian. Although I am a quick learner, it was especially hard for me
-The Samaal, which make up about three-quarters of the Somali population, are divided into four main clan-families: the Dir, Daarood, Isaaq, and Hawiye.
Born in California and raised in the deep south, I grew up in two conflicting societies. The cultural geography of both areas differs on a magnitude of levels and complicated my development into the cultures around me, however in retrospect influenced me to be a multidimensional and considerate person. At a young age my parents introduced me to progressive values. During the developmental toddler stages, I immersed myself in two different cultures: what I experienced at school and what I experienced at home. Charleston, South Carolina embodies small-town society though the Greater Charleston Area expands rapidly each year, pulling migrants, including my family, to the growing city. The overwhelmingly conservative views of Traditional Charleston
It was a gleaming Monday morning and I was cheerfully walking to the lunch tables where my friends were, until I was suddenly halted by a somewhat familiar person.
The term “American” comprises of many different cultures and races. However, what is often portrayed to be the one and only true “American” is most certainly White. The White population has been viewed as the mainstream society throughout United State’s history. This can be seen in American popular cultural and media as well as White’s dominance in America’s political and economic systems.
Man is a product of the culture in which he is born and brought up. For the same reason, no one can negate the influence of the society in forming one’s personality. I am well aware of the fact that my views, thoughts, and attitude have been shaped by the society I live in; hence, any attempt to sketch my personal experiences would be incomplete without referring to the part played by my surroundings. Throughout my life, I have paid utmost importance to initiating and maintaining interpersonal relationships with others. I had to face varied situations out there, both joyous and depressing. However, each instance was a great lesson for me to learn several things about my practical life – I wouldn’t be exaggerating when I say that I have learned more outside the four walls of my classroom than within them. My autobiography is closely associated with my social connections including my experiences with my family, educational institution, and the larger society I reside within.
family values is in my family. I have been taught to attend church every Sunday. When in the future I have my family I will instill this value into my family values. This has made me a better person. Many people
Culture defines people’s values, beliefs, and personal interests. Culture is important because it allows people to maintain a unique identity society. Many cultures have common interests, while others may have customs that differ greatly from that of another. Technology has had a huge impact on present day cultures. Many culture have been altered including my own, and some have been created due to the rise of technology. Cultures differ so greatly that someone belonging to one culture may not agree with the values of another, which then causes social and ethical issues. My culture shares many similarities with others around the world; most of which have connected more people in recent years than ever before. Cultural gaps, and lack of
My family history is rather unclear and unexplored. I do know that my maternal grandmother was adopted. My paternal side is said to be Italian. I come from an English speaking family. The geographic range is also unexplored and limited to western Pennsylvania. I grew up in the small town of Nolo, Pennsylvania. I can recall moving from one house to another but within the same county. I did change school districts one time. I would consider this to be very stable. Currently, I reside in Indiana county where I grew up. I have been married for six years and have a two year old son that will soon be a big brother. My wife and I built a home within the same geographical location as our parents. My spouse was also raised in a stable nuclear style family structure.
Cultural differences effect many aspects of our daily lives. With the many different cultures embedded in the United States, it is important that everyone has an understanding and respect for the melting pot that is encountered daily in our communities, workplaces and schools.