Personal Statement : My Mexican American Culture

Each individual has a specific culture that can they can use to identify oneself. I discovered my own cultural identity with the help of many aspects I have faced throughout my life. Culture is an important role in everyone’s life. Culture can be discovered by seeing how different an individual is from someone else. It can also be seen even when you don’t realize it. My family have been a major impact on discovering my cultural identity. My cultural identity would not exist if it weren’t for previous experiences I have encountered up until this point. My cultural identity is involved in many aspects of my life because of how my family influences my culture, how my view on culture differs from everyone else, and how society views me.

My parents always wanted to give their children the life they never had. I am Mexican-American, both of my parents immigrated from Mexico to the U.S. before I was born. I have numerous relatives, including my older sister, who do not have the same opportunities I have to achieve success because they are undocumented. For them, college was only a dream that could never be attained. Being the first U.S. citizen out of my entire family affected the way I thought about life. It was expected that I would attend college because I was the only one who had access to all the resources granted to American citizens. Although, I agreed with my family, the pressure to succeed and be a role model to my younger siblings was overwhelming.

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

Much to my own embarrassment, my Hispanic heritage had been a thing I hardly thought of. My Father left my family when I was young, and with him went the hopeful wisps I had of learning about myself. It’s not to say that I wasn’t aware that I was Hispanic, but rather, growing up in a mainly white household I didn’t think I had any right to claim my ethnicity. However, the more I look around me and learn about the community Hispanics have grown accustomed to, the more I find that I understand where I came from. To me, being Hispanic isn’t about what you were told when you were younger, or the traditions you grew up with. Rather, being Hispanic is about learning where you come from, and learning about those who share your same heritage. ‘Hispanic’

“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?

My Hispanic culture is exceedingly unique contrast to other cultures because we have countless of beliefs, holidays, lifestyles, etc. My world of Hispanic culture raised me to become an independent and determined person because being the first generation of a Hispanic family to attend college has my family beyond thrilled for me to put value to our heritage. Putting value in our heritage is a magnificent emotion because people anticipate Hispanics to fail; but, we prove them wrong when we accomplish our goals. The Hispanic culture’s strength is unbelievably astonishing because we are ambitious of our dreams and we don’t cease until we fulfill our wish. Including the Hispanic culture at University of Washington may open people’s mind that we

You know what they say you are what you eat. In other words, the average diet affects

Even though I may be identified as a typical Mexican American, I'm not average. I have always been the kid who stands out from the rest. Besides having a thick Spanish accent, I don't look like the common Mexican, my skin color is significantly darker than the rest. I have been and still, am perceived as Asian and Middle Eastern. Even though I explain to many that I'm Mexican many don't believe me, specifically, strangers. This misconception of my ethnicity causes me to be different from others, not just because of my appearance but the experiences I possess of it as a result. Having been treated as other ethnicities that face severe discrimination has allowed me to learn and understand the problems they face on a daily basis. Thankfully I have not faced a dangerous encounter but I have experienced some

To be or not to be, is a question that many may ask themselves. People are made into individuals due to their cultural backgrounds and thus form what is known as cultural identity, when one establishes their identity based on traditions such as music, food, fashion, language and/or religion ("Common Ground"). Growing up Mexican-American was like living in two different worlds, these worlds shaped the person I am today. It was the culture and beliefs that helped me create my cultural identity. I may even say that I got the best of both worlds. Being of Mexican heritage and being born in America had its advantages and disadvantages in society. Cultural identity has molded the way people are today within different time periods, while many factors play a part in one’s life everyone has had an unconventional experience expressing and/or finding their cultural identity.

What do you think of when you think about the “Raza”? I think of the Latino people that represent their roots, their culture & their heritage in the United States of America. Not everyone in the world can say that they are part of the strongest and richest culture out there. We in the United States alone make up about 17% of the entire population and growing!

At home, I have learned how to give back to my community, make a positive impact on people’s lives, and the strength of diversity in the form of collaboration. In Durnibar, I have learned how to be a leader by tutoring unprivileged kids and organizing social events for orphans and elderly people. Living in America with my brother and aunt, and having little financial support from my parents, has its own challenges. But I’m determined to not let my low-income status stop me from becoming the best I can be and achieving success. Living with my aunt has taught me how to excel academically with determination and value the diversity in America as an

I am an American with an ancestry of a Mexican . I know that I’m just a young kid and all you people don’t think I know , but really I do . I know that I will have a great education and maybe become a well known worker, and the kids in Mexico and other places could too. But if me and many other people have to leave, I will not become major neither will many other kids . Us kids are the future! Now, I don’t want to say names but many people are voting for a racist person, who you all think is major.. But really is not. I know that this person is conceited and really a horrible person . But of course you all are using him for his large amount of money. But just know that you are effecting us young kids with many hidden

“Anywhere I see suffering, that is where I want to be, doing what I can,” Princess Diana so bravely pronounced when she was living. When we help others, we make a difference in their lives. If you leave an impact on someone, they can follow your footsteps in making a positive change in the world. Sometimes, it can be a domino effect, which can lead even more people to help others out.

Helping people who you don`t know is a powerful tool that can change your life. Have you ever been in a situation where you needed help but couldn`t find someone to help and no one helped you? Your first reaction may be "I will not help anyone" but think of it little bit, this is a good reason to try to help others. Because if you start helping people you don`t know good will spread and you will find someone to help you. After Christmas I was in Pittsburgh with my friend suddenly my friend receive a phone call from unknown number, it was he`s friend his car broke down in the middle of the road to Morgantown and he forgot his cellphone at home. He gives us the gas station where his car broke down. We went there and couldn't find him, so we start asking people who worked in the gas station if they saw him. There were three employs, two of them ignore us but one got out of the counter walk us to where he was waiting for us. His help give us faith in people and made us help others. I believe if you helping people will receive help, feel good about yourself, and also affect the ones you care about.

In the first place you need help by others in life for most things. To build a proper house isn't meant to be done alone, If you're struggling in school you may need someone's help.If someone else is struggling someone else can help him. Next i will talk about how my actions impact others.