My Cultural Identity

In terms of culture, the foods we cosume or don't consume can play a role in defing our identity. Culture is defined as the values,beliefs and attitudes practiced and accepted by members of a group or community. Culture is something that is learned and not inherited. "Eating is a daily reaffirmation of one's cultural identity. Many people affiliate the foods from their culture, their childhood with warm, good feelings and memories. The food

My cultural identity, as I know is Mexican American because both my parents are born in Mexico and I was born here. I can also be defined as a Chicana because that is another way used to call a Mexican American. My culture can be seen in so many different ways like for example it can be seen in food, music, religion, dance, art, festivals, and even more. Most of these traditions have changed a little bit over time as they were brought to the U.S. What I mean by that is that some of those traditions were brought from Mexico, and had a little change into them because they were combined with some traditions that have already been here in the U.S.

Most people call me Colby, but on the field i'm know as number 40. Soccer has been a part of my life since I was 3, my 12 years of experience have influenced how I act, what I eat and most aspects of my life-like who I hang out with and what I dislike. In the United states especially, sports are a huge part of everyone's cultural identity. With all this in mind I would call my cultural identity a soccer game. It can change in a blink of the eye but is consistent through life.My family is like the other players, education is like the field and my hobbies are like the ball.

What is my cultural identity? Personally, I don’t think I am completely assured on what my cultural identity is, but I can do my best on explaining it. However, I won’t get started on that yet, first I’ll explain the occasion of me learning about my identity. At almost the beginning of the year, it was announced in our English class that we would be doing an essay on our cultural identities. When my teacher announced this I thought to myself, “What in the world is a cultural identity, or even my cultural identity?” In these months, we have gotten to learn the definition of culture, and what it means to us, individually., I believe that culture means a group of people that share the same customs, way of life, and beliefs. Also, over these last couple of months we have been reading texts all about people knowing and understanding their cultural identities, meanwhile I still didn’t understand my own. All I know is that I was born on February 11, 2002, I like movies and music, and my mom is from Chile and my Dad is from Virginia. Now that didn’t feel like enough for me to write on, but then I started thinking about all of the cultural differences that my parents have had raising me as a person, and how those have all combined to make me. In my short 15 years of life, the culture clashes have sometimes affected me on my thoughts and opinions, which I’ll talk about later on. As well as how movies and music have affected my perspectives and opinions.

Cultural identity are the things that make up who you are. My cultural identity is Cajun. Being Cajun is very unique. We eat different types of food, listen to certain types of music, and have certain traditions. I come from a very special family where everyone has each other’s back. They are very protective of each other and loving. There are a lot of distinct selections that show who I am but there are only a few major ones.

When I think of the word “cultural identity”, I think of myself, and what makes up who I am as a person. My cultural identity influences everything about me, from the moment I wake up, to the minute I rest my head on my pillow at night. My culture influences the way I eat, speak, worship, and interact with people. However, I am not only affected by my own culture, but others’ culture as well. I am fortunate to have an extremely rich heritage, and I couldn’t be prouder of my cultural identity.

When considering food as a part of my identity, there are multiple components that make up who I am. It is a mix of family heritage, experiences, and personal preferences, which all culminate together to form my food identity. While some might see their food identity as one culture, concept, or idea, I see my food identity as a variety. This variety consists of what foods I like and the memories associated with them. Specifically, my memories and experiences with my family have contributed to what I believe to be my food identity.

“Dale, dale, dale, No pierdas el tino; Porque si lo pierdes, Pierdes el camino”. The classic piñata song that is sung at parties. It translates to “Go, go, go, don't lose your aim; because if you lose it, you will lose your path.” The phrase ties in with my identity because of my cultural background and experiences at parties. Who am I? What is my cultural identity? The questions that have me trying my best not to have an existential crisis. I am a Mexican American, my parents were born in Jalisco and I was born in California. As for my cultural identity, I am a NSHS student that has been shaped by music, technology, and sports.

“By participating in a meal, we participate in a moment, an experience, a sliver of life." (Horton, 2012). When people think about a certain culture, they initially think of the food associated with it. Food is a part of a culture’s identity, and because of that, it is a part of the individual’s identity as well. For example, the US is associated with hamburgers, Italy with pasta, and Mexico with tacos. This cultural association to the food we eat helps us to figure out who we are. Over time, food has become more of a spiritual act, rather than one of survival. We eat food for the feelings it elicits and the experiences it gives us. In a way, we really are what we eat.

As people migrate to a foreign country, they often look for ways to connect culturally with their new home country. Unfortunately, sometimes immigrants have trouble dealing with an identity crisis, either identifying with their old culture or with their new culture. One way of coping with this cultural change is through food. Food can help give people a sense of belonging and identity. What Was Served by Douglas Bauer, “We Are What We Now Eat” by Ivan Darias Alfonso and Black Dog of Fate by Peter Balakian’s shows a correlation between food and identity. Alfonso, Bauer and Balakian show how food allows people reconnect with their native culture meanwhile, Alfonso and Balakain also show how food can help immigrants adapt to a new one.

First, food plays a minor role in my cultural identity. People in my culture all love seafood,

Growing up, I had the privilege of exploring different cultures in my community; one aspect - food. A love for going to a Chinese restaurant by my school and converse in Mandarin Chinese with the waitress, or go to the Mexican grills near my home and learn the cuisine in Spanish, spurred my passion for finding a connection to my own culture’s value of food. With so many wide ranges of cultural foods, I have begun to learn that it wasn't just one culture that loved food or good times, but a universal theme.

¨Pereme-what? That is the weirdest and longest last name i've ever heard of! Where do people get last names like that?¨ My answer? Well, my grandfather is from Siberia, but my family just consider ourselves Russian. Actually not long ago my dad had told me about a city in Russia called Peremyshl, my great great grandparents, as I was told, are from there, Peremyshl is in the Kaluga Oblast near Moscow. And because of my ethnic background, I go to my church's youth, our youth really likes to go and hang out at the park or go someplace else and play volleyball.

You are what you eat, is a common phrase characterizing the idea of food and identity. Several questions that discuss the notion of using food as a cultural clue will be addressed, such as: What do food choices represent? How do food choices represent cultural identity? Is it important to recognize the difference between what you eat representing what you are and what you eat constructing who you are? Our identity

I grew up with a very diverse cultural background. My father is an immigrant from India and my mother’s parents are both immigrants from Italy. This mix of societies has taught me to be open to different customs from around the world. Since then, I have always been fascinated with other cultures and how they are all connected while still maintaining fundamental differences. Because of this, I would love to have the opportunity to immerse myself in a foreign culture by studying abroad with MIT.