Nobody can deny the fact that culture generally mandates your views, perceptions, and ideas about the world and its qualities. However, while this may hold true, there are factors that can easily disregard and usurp culture from fully monopolizing one’s mindset. For example, Thomas Jefferson high school is a huge blend of cultural groups. There is little to no disparity, and all are seen unique, yet still the same as their peers. One’s experiences and culture both partially, whether equally or not, affect their views on the world. Obviously, culture extensively influences one’s perceptions; this, however, does not mean that it is canon. Cultural identity affects the limitations of culture, as “not all aspects [of one’s culture] need to be
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In “Two Kinds” by Amy Tan, Tan says “In fact, in the beginning … and I tried each one on for size.” These few sentences show Tan originally wanting to be a prodigy. She was content in attempting to be what her mother wanted to be; she only did so because her mother desired to be famous and wealthy. This would soon change when her personal identity opposed her culture and mother. “I had new thoughts … I won’t be what I’m not,” (Tan). Tan’s personal identity disregarded her culture and thought for herself, thus partially deposing the cultural mindset. Finally, Tan states that “For unlike my mother, I did not believe I could be anything I wanted to be, I could only be me.” Tan’s mother wanted her to be something that she was not meant to be, or rather, something she did not want to be. While others may believe that you can be anything you want to be, Tan could not. Without a doubt, Tan’s own thoughts and culture clashed, leaving her personality in charge of her decision. Hence, personal thoughts can displace cultural identity, and vice …show more content…
Kahlo holds the Mexican flag in one hand, and a Marlboro cigarette in the other. It can be assumed that each represents the two countries. In addition, underground, roots from flowers on the Mexican side which connect to the electrical wires from an electronic on the American side. This displays Kahlo’s deep affiliation with both cultures, and is the artistic representation of her hesitance. Although some may believe that one mind can only account for one culture, multiple cultures can easily be incorporated to make almost like a junction of the cultures. An example is show by Pat Mora, in the poem Legal Alien:
Bi-lingual, Bi-cultural/ able to slip from “How’s life?”/ to “Me’stan volviendo loca,”/ able to sit in a paneled office/ drafting memos in smooth English/ able to order in fluent Spanish/ at a Mexican restaurant,/ American but hyphenated,/ viewed by Anglos as perhaps exotic,/ perhaps inferior/ definitely
In “Two Kinds” by Amy Tan, Tan says “In fact, in the beginning … and I tried each one on for size.” These few sentences show Tan originally wanting to be a prodigy. She was content in attempting to be what her mother wanted to be; she only did so because her mother desired to be famous and wealthy. This would soon change when her personal identity opposed her culture and mother. “I had new thoughts … I won’t be what I’m not,” (Tan). Tan’s personal identity disregarded her culture and thought for herself, thus partially deposing the cultural mindset. Finally, Tan states that “For unlike my mother, I did not believe I could be anything I wanted to be, I could only be me.” Tan’s mother wanted her to be something that she was not meant to be, or rather, something she did not want to be. While others may believe that you can be anything you want to be, Tan could not. Without a doubt, Tan’s own thoughts and culture clashed, leaving her personality in charge of her decision. Hence, personal thoughts can displace cultural identity, and vice …show more content…
Kahlo holds the Mexican flag in one hand, and a Marlboro cigarette in the other. It can be assumed that each represents the two countries. In addition, underground, roots from flowers on the Mexican side which connect to the electrical wires from an electronic on the American side. This displays Kahlo’s deep affiliation with both cultures, and is the artistic representation of her hesitance. Although some may believe that one mind can only account for one culture, multiple cultures can easily be incorporated to make almost like a junction of the cultures. An example is show by Pat Mora, in the poem Legal Alien:
Bi-lingual, Bi-cultural/ able to slip from “How’s life?”/ to “Me’stan volviendo loca,”/ able to sit in a paneled office/ drafting memos in smooth English/ able to order in fluent Spanish/ at a Mexican restaurant,/ American but hyphenated,/ viewed by Anglos as perhaps exotic,/ perhaps inferior/ definitely