A benefit of being Dominican is being embraced into a rich culture. My large family creates a sense of belonging and community. At family gatherings and reunions, I am always meeting new people,…
The world I come from is filled with great people, and is set up with opportunities for success, and achievement. I come from a strong, large, multiracial family. A family of courage, pride and one that has fought to prosper for generations. I know because of them I became the woman I am today. I grew up very fortunate due to the fact that my parents fought so hard to give my three sister, brother and I the life they couldn't receive.…
My neighborhood was mostly Puerto Ricans and Dominicans, so I fit right in. My parents came from the Dominican Republic to the United States in the 60’s, providing us a better opportunity to advance. I could hear…
Growing up in Louisiana has been a part of my life. Before moving back to Virginia in the 7th grade, we resided in Louisiana for about 7 years. We would travel to New Orleans very often for various sporting events that my siblings and I would participate in or we would go to watch the New Orleans Saints or the New Orleans Pelicans play. New Orleans has so much to offer that for all ages. Many people may think that New Orleans is only for adults but there are some kid-friendly things to do.…
On June 3rd of this year, my father passed away, this was a very difficult moment in my life and many decisions had to be made on his behalf. Preceding my father death, my parents determined that it was important as the only child to be the Executor of his Estate in an effort to propel me into manhood and the realities of life. My parents’ decision regarding my role after my father’s death was programmed and classical because they knew this honor would instill the strength, courage and pride needed to survive in this world as a young African-American man. During this time, I learned the significance of properly planning, organizing and managing the history of a person‘s entire life; therefore, I am thankful to my parents for trusting me…
Have you ever done research on a place that is new to you just to see what it is like before you get there? Maybe did some research just to know about it so you can completely understand the background of the place to discover certain places or things? Well, that is the story of what I did before going to Haiti. Just knowing that you have ethnicity in your bloodline just made me want to engage into learning about the island and culture. The saying goes know your roots and where you come from.…
My cultural identity developed through solid principles established on a foundation of positive values, and morals. I have fond remembrances for the traditions of worship, celebration, and clean living. This is what connected me to my family is how our family connected. What I gained from family gatherings was the importance of family unity and strength for family. My parents were very Afrocentric, my father would go to “Sankofa” meetings which I never understood the significance at that time, but now aware of that Sankofa symbolizes taking from the past what is good and bringing it into the present in order to make positive progress through the benevolent use of knowledge.…
Many people say that your infancy shapes who you will become as an adult-in my circumstance, that’s accurate. Growing up in a Hispanic family in America, I am part of the first generation that is supposed to become successful as we reached adulthood. The expectations have always been relentless, but I am thankful for my parent’s hopes. From my first day of kindergarten, to my last year of high school, my parents have always expected me to receive the only grade that in their eyes was worthy- the infamous “A”.…
Obviously every family had their different traditions and things they do that are special to them but I always felt that everything about me was different. I never thought about it as a bad or good thing I just knew that I was different. Now as I grow and start to realize more things I have come to see that the fact that my family is really different has helped me a lot. How different my family is and how different my friends are have allowed me to see the world in many different perspectives and views and this has shaped the person I am and how I view the world.…
Growing up in Jamaica was not what some may think as ideal, it has been described as a Third World Country, but to me, it was just home. Third world indeed, poor, violent at times; a contradiction, with its sandy beaches, clear blue skies, delectable food, feel good music, and some of the hardest working people one can ever have the pleasure of meeting, who refused to stay where life may have placed them, but strived to climb above those circumstances and attempt to carve out a life for themselves and their children. Let me introduce you to the Jamaica that I grew up in and remembered; I remember the endless summer holidays growing up off the Sligoville Road, in a small district called Mt. Moreland, where the playground…
To sum up, Jamaica is a very tiny island with lots of vibrancy and culture. I have learned a lot of things and will continue to learn as I do further research. As I do my research about my own culture, I’ll do research about other cultures too, because discovering other cultures is always an eye-opening experience. It’s always good to know where you came from, because it provides you with a certainty that you belong somewhere, that you’re a part of something, and everyone needs that…
(everyculture.com) Of the total population, 50 percent are classified as mixed African and European, thirty-seven percent is classified as black or negro and one percent Chinese (everyculture.com). History tells African slaves were brought to Cuba and some have married their masters, which resulted to Cuban mulattos (cuban-culture.com). Other races have also come to Cuba in the past such as Russian, Chinese and European. Three dominant bloods are present in Cubans makeup: “First of these roots is that of the aborigine inhabitants; their ethnic contribution was reduced by the impact of the conquest and colonisation process. It is for this reason that the more significant roots in the Cuban nationality are Spanish and African.…
Living in Jamaica is one of the hardest things one can ever endure. Yes, the island is a beautiful island but it can also be one of the most violent places to live. My aunt gave my family that chance. Jamaica is also a poor country, and everything back home has to be paid for including education and coming to America I had the opportunity to come to school without paying for elementary school or high school. Which one chance I am very thankful for.…
Growing up in Ghana West Africa, I was one of 9 children as the 8th on the spectrum and the 4th girl; I faced unique challenge in a culture where boys were the focus of the family when it comes to proper education. However, an incident in my early years at school changed my father’s thinking and I to join my brothers in a preparatory school instead of the public school my other sisters attended. The incident that impacted my education happened when a teacher beat my buttocks with a stick and tore my flesh at the public school my other sisters attended. I remember my father coming home from work and my mother telling him what happened to me at school, he took me to the teachers house, I remember a group of people pulling him aside to calm…
Genograms are family relationships represented in a picture. They exhibit family patterns, functioning and emotional relationships. I decided to do my genogram based upon my maternal grandparents. Due to my experience creating a genogram, family secrets, medical issues and education levels are analyzed. As the index person on the genogram, I will gain a understanding of myself and my spirituality.…