Personal Narrative: Finding My Cultural Identity

In primary and secondary schools, I struggled to find my cultural Identity. I wasn’t exposed to my own culture and background. Growing up, I did not discuss my culture and its traditions. Schools I attended didn’t teach much about identities pertaining to me. I was intended to know my own identity myself. I remember being ashamed of my own culture, I’ve always asked questions about who I am, where I’m from, what makes me different, and what is my true identity? I had thought that the concept of racism didn’t matter as much because others/society will just label you based on your appearance. I’ve accepted society's image of me, in secondary school, I was constantly bullied for being different and being known as a minority.
I grew to realize and learn that race, ethics, and cultures was part of who you are in America because it defines me. I can’t let society doubt my image and label me as something that I’m not, it can’t …show more content…
Many went along with it since my culture didn’t matter as much to them, I slowly drifted away from my roots. My parents will always lecture me to not forget my roots and expected me to be the perfect reflection of a Hmong women. I was clueless at that time what they meant. Recently, I started to recognize and had interest in my culture and identity. I’ve been researching on my background, I now understood my parent’s perspective of being Hmong. I realize that the countless lectures and stories of their childhood, was the foundation of helping me in finding my own identity in America. I now appreciate my culture and identity, I had only concealed my identity, not knowing what it was. I can finally say that I am a proud Hmong American. It’s important for me in sharing my story of finding my identity, I want to assist others that are in my shoes. Understanding cultural identity is a way of finding values and self-respect among the