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CG ShopRealizing your culture |
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| Written by CG Girl |
| Friday, 09 October 2009 20:50 |
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Realizing Culture Written By: Cynthia R. Avila When I was a little girl I imagined what it would be like to be wealthy. I imagined living in a charming historic neighborhood. I would throw fancy dinner parties with all my fancy friends. One day I would be in Italy and the next I would set off in a private jet to Fiji. Ahhh, qué vida! Then, my father’s stern voice commanding me to: “Stop daydreaming. Get your stuff together and let’s go,” would bring me back to reality. So, what was my reality? The truth was my family was not poor, but we were not rich either. We were what people may call “well-off.” We traveled to different cities within the United States and Mexico. We ate out almost every night, had all the latest gadgets, a big house, and bought whatever we wanted. Now it is all gone. Our house? Sold. Our eating out habit? Done with. No more little luxuries. We now struggle to find gas money for our vehicles and grapple every month to pay the bills. But this is good. I am forced to live more humbly. I realize now that in my previous way of living, I was not true to my Hispanic roots and culture. This is not to say Hispanics should not be wealthy individuals because hard work should definitely be rewarded. Rather, in whatever station in life we may be, it is imperative to remember what makes us who we are and not conform to an Americanized culture. Yes, we are all American citizens therefore we are part of the American culture. But first and foremost we are Hispanic. Being Hispanic makes us very different and this is what we should value and strive to keep. I am more aware now of our sense of family, and the respect we have for everything around us (including the environment). I recognize now that our creative personalities should be remembered and embraced in everything we do. Over-consumption, which is what I did previously, should not be part of the way we live. As you travel through life and figure out what it is you want to do, always remember to embrace your culture. This will make you a happier person. |
