Reflection Of The Cultural Event : Rooted And Ready

As a first generation, Mexican-American student who is proud of being involved in both Greek life and the Theatre community on campus, I believe that I have a very unique position as a member of the Cornell community. As a first generation, Mexican American student I know the struggles that come with navigating the college process and all the obstacles that come with it. I can empathize with others who might be facing the same struggles and I enjoy being as helpful as possible, so that others can avoid some of the road blocks that I faced during the college search process. As a member of the Greek community, I understand the importance of philanthropy and building a network with other diverse minds. Through this community I have come to value

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

Chicano studies originated in the late 1960’s and 1970’s during the Chicano Movement. This program was set into place to focus on Mexican-American history in hopes the

My second participant was Mrs. P. Mrs. P has taught Native Spanish, US History, and currently AP Government and World History for nineteen years and began teaching in 1998. As an undergrad, Mrs. P attended UC Riverside and was a biology major. She became interested in history and teaching once she took various classes as part of her general education. Thus, she switched her major from Biology to History. Mrs. P earned her teaching credentials and Master’s degree also from Claremont Graduate University. I was also able to observe her 10th-grade World History class.

Making friends in the Latino(a) community is the best part. Helping each other with problems within our understanding about the minority issues we all face as a whole and individually is emotionally and physically draining. It is great to know others feel the same way you do and want to make just as much as a difference, in representing ourselves with pride as the latino(a) community. Many of us gathered to form a class in our school designed to educate about the culture, history, and origins of the Mexican-American, Latino(a), hispanic, Mexican, chicano(a), and however other minorities identify themselves as. Many have joined hoping to learn about the civilizations, societies, traditions, cultures, and heritage this course has to offer to enlighten their minds of the Latino(a) community.

As many of you know, this October the Hispanic Scholarship Fund will be announcing this year’s inductee to their noteworthy Alumni Hall of Fame. Founded over 70 years ago, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund has done exceedingly well to provide the bright, young Latino scholars of our nation with an opportunity to seek higher education through scholarships and various programs. At the Alumni Hall of Fame Gala we will celebrate three scholarship recipients as well as a single inductee. While each individual being recognized at the Gala has proven to be extraordinary, there is one in particular you should look out for. However, having had such a massive impact in places all over the world, you may have already guessed who this dazzling woman is:

As part of their efforts to educate others about the true Native image, this small group of Natives put on the first Annual Stanford Pow Wow. The event in the 1970’s was not as big as the Pow Wow everyone has come to know and love today. But the same reasons for having the event motivated that group of Natives: education and experiencing true Native cultures.

My first reaction when receiving this assignment was surprise. Usually, a "cultural plunge" would involve a person entering a cultural type environment that is not within the person's comfort zone, as described by Pham (2013). However, since this type of plunge is also outside of our comfort zone, I suppose that it could also qualify as a cultural plunge. I am looking forward to trying this exercise, since I believe it will teach me a lot about not only myself, but also about others.

On April 15th, 2017 I interviewed a member of the Tongva tribe, which present day Long Beach now inhabits. The tribal member, who asked to not be named, told me all about Long Beach’s long history as it was once a tribe and religious center and of CSU Long Beach’s history as an ancient burial site named Puvunga. The interview changed my understanding of my college campus and the city that I now live in. It has made me more sensitive to the struggles that Native Americans faced and still continue to face.

Representatives from all different tribes were present and they danced and sang together in harmony. The traditional dress wear of the each tribe was beautiful and they introduced the tribes that were present. I loved the sense of togetherness the participants had. Also, the experience broke a stereotype for me. I was under the impression that all Native Americans were tan and had black hair. I guess I related it to the movie Pocahontas and some western movies I’ve seen. This certainly was not the case. It goes to show you really can’t judge someone with how they look or guess their culture with how they look. This changed my way of thinking. I do anticipate to learn more about the Native American culture and learn not to assume culture based on appearance. I generally do not mean to, but I belive that everyone has unconscious thoughts and assumptions when they see someone different than themselves. With the more knowledge I gain as a counselor and though my classes I want to tackle my unconscious thoughts and assumptions. Through this class I have definitely become more aware of what I have been told in relation to people different than

A cultural event that I have attended in the past that has had a memorable affect on my life was a Native American Powwow. This event takes place every year, Thanksgiving weekend in Tucson, AZ. I arrived in the late afternoon, as the sun was going down. I remember seeing many different types of people, from tourists to the different Native American performers. The physical setting of this particular celebration was outside, and based around, one main circle. Drums were beating so loud, you could feel the pound inside your chest. Different activities were going on all around, such as dancers, vendors, and a huge variety of foods to choose from. The circular dancing arena is known as the arbor, this area is blessed before any of the events

The purpose of this essay is to critically reflect on the new ideas I have learnt throughout this semester, ideas that has changed the way I understand the experiences of the Aboriginal and Torres strait islander people. The essay will also link my understanding of how cultural identity can influence health equity, using the CATSINaM’s definition of cultural safety.

The cultural assignment allowed me to gain a new perspective on the differences of others. I have grown up in a household of dissimilar belief systems. My mom is a dedicated Christian while my dad is unassociated with any religious beliefs. Though, he grew up as a Jehovah’s Witness. There differing belief systems have been the cause of various conflicts within their relationship. I often wondered if people with contradicting beliefs could effectively and peacefully discuss their belief systems. This cultural experience showed me that a peaceful discussion is possible between individuals of dissimilar beliefs.

(Origin) When thinking about my family and our roots I identify my family’s places or origin as Germany and Ireland. A majority of my family is of German ancestry and the one exception is my grandmother and she is Irish. I identify these too places as where my family came from due to stories that I have hear from family members and to the traits that each member of my family carries. A majority of my family are all blonde hair, with blue or brown eyes which have a lot of similarities to people from Germany. My family as very few of the traits from the Irish side but the only ones the I have been told are that some people in our family freckle a lot

1. Culture is perceived as a way of thinking that influences the behaviors of a group of people.