Personal Narrative: My Latino Heritage

Spanish-language music enhances the development of self-identity of students in a university setting where the music is uncommon because music builds on culture and makes students more aware of their culture and their roots. In “Reclaiming Latino Identity: An Attitudinal Study of the Influence of Rock En Español on Latino Cultural Identity,” Elisa Sahagan notes that the genre of music has assisted Latinos to maintain Spanish-speaking skills and brought them closer to their culture (1). One reason being is it is a crucial part of shaping individuals’ identities. Listening to Spanish-language music assists Latino students to maintain a balance and shape their identities. First, Spanish-language music, such as Norteñas and Corridos, tell stories

As an undergraduate student, the topics that emerged from writing research and essay papers were topics that I or others could relate to. The opportunity to participate in research came to me, I could not resist but to pursue being a part of it. I was in the developmental lab organized by Dr. Knifsend for the past two years of my undergraduate career.

Growing up I have always been proud of my Mexican roots. I do not believe in hiding who you are, on the contrary, I believe in embracing it. This led me to be a part of a very special group at my high school. I became a member of Alma Folklorica de Oklahoma my sophomore year in high school. It is a Mexican folk dance group, and it consists of dancing traditional dances from Mexico. While the main reason I joined the group was to learn more about Mexico as a whole, I learned much more than I had anticipated. Going in I thought that I would just be learning dances; I didn’t expect to learn such valuable lessons as I have. I joined the group so I would have a better knowledge about Mexico and my culture. It’s been great learning about different regions throughout Mexico; especially about regions that I had never been previously exposed to. However I’ve learned more than I anticipated. I’ve had the pleasure to learn how to change out of one outfit with multiple accessories into another within five minutes and sometimes in less than three minutes. I’ve also had the pleasure of learning that if you mess up, just keep on smiling and no one will ever know. Not only have I learned things about performing. I have also learner life lessons. I have learned how to use jumper cables, how to properly communicate with others, and how to work as a team. Prior to joining the group, I had no idea the importance of communication. I

Leaving home at the age of 18, loving on my own, figuring how to become an adult, and moving out to college, there were many things being thrown at me in which I was not fully prepared for them. Moving out at 18 is normal for any high school graduate in The United States. Being a Mexican American women it was more than just the net step to life , but a huge accomplishment. Being ascribed into a poor family increased the desire to move forward. My parents did not want me to follow their footsteps into the world of low waged labor, they wanted more. Growing up all I heard from teachers and family members was to go to college. For many it’s the normal thing for a high school graduate to do. For me it was more than socialization it was the path

As most people will agree on, music is essential to life. Music is heard while working, driving, sleeping, and even studying. Music can be a form of expression and also a form of entertainment. Songs can describe the life of a person, or they can describe their hopes and dreams. These songs can be heard everywhere from the supermarket to the bookstore. Just like emotions, music is the world’s universal language. Therefore, Chicano Music represents the lives of Mexican Americans who went through hardships as well as accomplishments.

“Wow...there is no way you’re Latino. You’re way too white!” was the ignorant remark made by a one of my peers during my school’s annual Latin-American Fest. Initially, hearing this claim made me look into the mirror. I began to stroke my face and examine my physical features. Was this true? Was I not Latino enough? Did the amount of melanin or lack thereof deem me as Latino?

Born in Lake Jackson, Texas on April 16, 1971, Selena Quintanilla-Perez would come to be known as the “Queen of Tejano music.” With the help of different sources to provide evidence and support to my argument, the aim of this paper is to examine how Tejana singer, Selena was able to impact those around her with her career as a musician and through the medium of music. Selena rose to success by continuously crossing over to different markets. She not only impacted her fans one by one, but also brought about social and cultural changes by fleshing out tensions between Anglo and Latino communities by bringing people together through music.

Sometimes I feel like I live in two worlds. one world or life is when I was in Puerto Rico where life was effortless and elementary,lots of leisure, and so much more fun. but i also have my world and life here in Boston where is not completely obscured. in boston it is where i am asked to identify myself. it is where people ask me what am i? i have always responded with “ i am puerto rican and black.” that sounds about right my mother is puerto rican and my father is black. most people act like it is strange for me to look and talk the way i do yet not be what they thought. in either world i have never really thought deeply about my ethnic origin because i always said i am puerto rican and black american that is it and nothing more needed to

Puerto Rican music is an evolving art form that expresses Puerto Rican culture and identity. The development of Puerto Rican music is also a reflection of their history, both being complicated by several layers. Social, political, and economic conditions are all related to the musical expressions of Puerto Ricans (Glasser, 8). Puerto Rican migration to the United States and the culture clash experienced by migrants is another layer complicating the evolution of Puerto Rican music (Glasser, 199). Musical expression has been affected by every aspect of life for the Puerto Ricans and therefore is an illustration of the Puerto Rican experience.

In the last past two years, the popularity of Latin music has exploded and along with it, the careers of people like Ricky Martin, Christina Aguilera, and Enrique Inglesias. Some of these people claim a mixed racial heritage and accordingly, it seems apparent that a more tolerant and even accepting time in history has come for those of a mixed heritage. Indeed, many entertainers now come to fame based in part on having a mixed racial heritage. However, Latin music has been around for many years and its emergence in the mainstream is unlikely to be due to a more liberal attitude towards multicultural, multiethnic themes. The recent, newly found popularity demonstrates more of a realization that companies can exploit multiracialism for a profit.

My background with ethnicity is limited. My paternal grandfather is from the Netherlands and my maternal grandmother’s family is from Sweden. Other than that, I have not had any other extensive experiences with different ethnic groups. Once my family from the Netherlands came to visit in 2012, I was introduced to my great Aunt Toos. It was difficult speaking with her because of the language barrier; her English was far from clear. Although there were difficulties communicating, I was nevertheless able to learn a few Dutch phrases from her.

My ethnic background is complicated. My family comes from all different parts of the world. Sadly, I only claim two of my ethnicities; Jamaican and African American. I’m frowned upon in my cultures even though they're apart of who I am.

Citizenship is addressed in the choice of song. The text to the song is in Spanish, a foreign language that is a connection to the core curriculum of music. By using a piece that is not of their own culture, the students will expand their knowledge of multiculturalism while it deepens their understanding of the contributions other cultures have made into developing and defining our own. Explaining the similarities and differences of the Spanish culture to ours will also foster a deeper understanding of our own cultural identity and our heritage. This explanation will also take place in the power point presentation.

As the gun goes off, I almost simultaneously burst out of the running blocks, exploding into a sprint. My adrenaline is pumping as I come up close onto another girl in my race. It was overwhelming just being at the state track meet, let alone running in the 4 by 100 relay. My speed picks up as the distance to the next person in my relay grows less and less. As I get closer to Brianna, I realize that our race isn’t going to go exactly as we had planned. Actually, our race was going to go differently than anyone had expected, and definitely not in a good way.

The tunes my parents played throughout my childhood remind me of the days in which we gathered together singing the lyrics of those who came from frijoles and tortillas, but enjoyed the struggles that got them to where they are today. Listening to these songs of Latinos who “made it” influenced of how through the words these artists sang to express rebellion toward issues that other were too fearsome to express. Through it, one can relate to these parabolas that speak up for the voiceless and unheard. Listening to these types of songs I vowed to use my dominant discourse-discourses that bring status- to become an advocate to those who feared speaking against injustices.