AmbassadorViperPerson176
1. After reading the peer response below, craft a brief thoughtful…
1. After reading the peer response below, craft a brief thoughtful response, which may include comments, suggestions, resource sharing, etc.
Student A – response
As a Black, Latina immigrant, my cultural identity holds profound significance in shaping my personal journey in the United States. In some ways my cultural roots have anchor me, as I learned to navigate the challenges of immigrating to a new country. At first, it was difficult for me to leave behind the familiarity of my homeland and my people, especially as a teenager. At that age, it is hard to comprehend the choices that are being made on your behalf. However, the warmth, vibrancy, and rich cultural heritage that define my Colombian roots served as a guiding force throughout my journey. I feel like I carry a piece of my homeland within me. It is a connection that keeps me grounded and reminds me of the strength and resilience of my people.
My experience as an Immigrant has shaped my Latina cultural identity in unexpected ways. For starters, the term Latina, referring to an individual, is rarely used outside of the United States. The Pan-American identity encompassed by the term Latino/Latina is very much entrenched in the experience of immigrating to the United States. In Latin America, where those of us who would be considered “Latino” reside, the term is not commonly used to describe people or communities. Instead, we typically identify ourselves by a specific national or regional origin, such as Mexican, Colombian, or Brazilian. National identities and cultural differences take precedence over a broad “Latino” or “Latin American” identity. The term “Latin America” is used as a geographical and cultural term primarily within academia and has not widely permeate the general population’s everyday language. My latinidad is in fact a direct result of my status as in immigrant to the U.S.
Stepping into a new country brought with it a myriad of experiences and challenges. Learning a new language, customs, and social norms was both exciting and overwhelming. At times, I felt like an outsider, struggling to find my place in a society that seemed foreign. It was in those moments when my newly forged cultural identity as a Latina immigrant, served as a source of strength and pride. A shared cultural identity can become a beacon of pride and resilience in a foreign land. There is often an immediate kinship when Latino immigrants encounter one another out in the world. The connection fueled by this shared cultural identity enabled me to adapt while staying true to my roots. I realized the significance of preserving and celebrating my Latino heritage. Through cultural festivals, community gatherings, and the exchange of stories and traditions, I discovered a vibrant community that embraced diversity and nurtured a sense of belonging. It taught me the importance of embracing diversity and bridging the gap between cultures.
As a Latina immigrant, I have come to understand that cultural identity is not static but rather a dynamic fusion of influences. It is an amalgamation of my Colombian homeland and my newer Latina identity. Once that cultural identity was fully solidified, it became a bridge to more fully embrace my experiences, values, beliefs and ultimately my identity as an American. This fusion has given birth to a unique cultural identity that is constantly evolving, embracing the richness of both worlds. Embracing my cultural identity allowed me to share my unique perspective and contribute to the tapestry of this diverse nation.
Banks’ Stages of Cultural Identity Development, outline the stages individuals may experience in developing their cultural identity. Although it is primarily focused on the experiences of minority or marginalized individuals, it can be applicable to anyone navigating their cultural identity. While I have never fully experienced Stage 1, Cultural Psychological Captivity, I have certainly met people who have. Within Latino immigrant communities some individuals may feel compelled to conform to the dominant American culture’s expectations, often at the expense of their own cultural identity and well-being. The need to fit in, may drive some to refused to let their children speak Spanish for example. I ‘ve personally met families where the kids of the household can communicate with the grandmother caretaker, for example. The rejection of Spanish as part of the kid’s cultural heritage and the encouragement to adopt the language of the dominant culture in order to seek acceptance leads to a loss of cultural connectedness.
While I admit to feeling pressure to assimilate, especially at first, that need never escalated to feelings of shame or self-rejection. I also have no direct, personal connection to stage 2, Cultural Encapsulation. However, I have felt the consequences of living amongst folks who are living within stage 2. In my opinion the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States in 2016, is a direct result of the cultural encapsulation in which a significant portion of the American population lives. A lot of his rhetoric exhibits the Key characteristics of cultural encapsulation: ethnocentrism, xenophobia, stereotyping and limited cultural knowledge of other cultural groups and perhaps more insidiously a lack of cultural self-awareness and resistance to cultural differences.
In the days and weeks following the election, an overwhelming feeling of rejection began to overtake me and for the first time I began to question my place in the country I had adopted as my own. Trump’s campaign rhetoric on immigration, created anxiety and fear among many Latino immigrants, myself included. His election victory seemed like the stamp of approval on his derogatory comments about immigrants. My own American citizenship became delegitimized somehow, contributing to my feelings of marginalization in his America. Those weeks following the lection stirred many negative feelings about my sense of belonging that I thought I had long overcome. The stereotypes and misconceptions that often cloud the perceptions of Latino immigrants in the United Sates were being touted as fact and accepted as such on the national stage. Our community is diverse, encompassing a spectrum of experiences, yet we were being painted with a broad and harsh brush. I once again began to feel “foreign” and “less than”.
The turning point for me was the Women’s March on January21, 2017. The march, which took place in various cities across the United States and internationally, was significant in terms of its impact on my cultural intersectionality. Participating in the Women’s March was, unbeknownst to me at the time, my first real life glimpse into Stage 5, Multi-culturalism and Reflective Nationalism. Despite its name, The Women’s March of 2017, brought together a diverse group of individuals around the country whose aim was to address a broad range of issues, including women’s rights, reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, immigration reform, environmental justice, and more. The march brought together individuals who understood the interconnected nature of various forms of oppression and the need for collective action. Multiculturalism became the centerpiece of the Women’s march. The idea that we should recognizes and celebrates the coexistence of multiple cultures within a society was evident in the chants, signs and general attitudes of the march participants. The march and its organizers promoted the idea that cultural diversity should be valued and respected, and that different cultural groups should have the freedom to maintain and express their distinct identities, practices, and languages. Participants of the march called for the creation of a more inclusive society where individuals from diverse backgrounds can live harmoniously, while promoting equal rights, opportunities, and social cohesion among all of its members.
Of course the march itself, while incredibly eye opening for me was just the beginning. The march became a catalyst for mobilization. Trump’s election served as a wake-up call for many immigrants, like myself, leading to increased political engagement. There was a surge in grassroots activism, community organizing, and voter registration efforts that I began to join. Organizations advocating for immigrant rights and social justice gained momentum, and many Latinos began actively participating in protests, marches, and campaigns. Many of these organizations worked to create an inclusive platform that recognized and addressed the diverse concerns and experiences of different communities. The importance of solidarity among marginalized groups became clear during that time period, opening my eyes to the understanding that social justice issues are interconnected.
The increased solidarity amongst different groups, the amplification of diverse voices and the intersectionality of the organizations that I became involved in, led to my understanding of reflective nationalism. In other words, it allowed me to acknowledge the importance of national identity and values, while also promoting critical self-reflection and openness to diverse perspectives. I, alongside many other folks, began to recognize that nations have a collective identity and shared values that can provide a sense of belonging and social cohesion and that as an American, it was my responsibility to contribute to its construction. However, reflective nationalism emphasizes the need to critically examine and reassess national narratives, symbols, and policies to ensure they are inclusive, respectful of diversity, and aligned with principles of equality and human rights. Once again, instead of being disappointed at America’s failure to live up to its promise, my job became to reflect upon the ways that I myself was not embodying the values that I want to see reflected in our society. It was necessary for me to find the ways to be more inclusive in my own life and become a better ally to other marginalized groups.
While I recognize that I’m still in the process of understanding the many different ways these concepts can be applied in our society, particularly in our schools, I have come a long way from my initial steps in recognizing my cultural identity. As I continue to navigate my cultural identity, I have come to recognize the importance of building bridges between cultures. By fostering understanding, empathy, and dialogue, we can create spaces where diverse perspectives are celebrated and we can finally begin to work together to address the highest stages of cultural identity.
