A Culture divided By Mark Monterrosa

Cultural Assumptions Many people I have met in school have often times considered me to be of Mexican descent. However, I am not. I am proud to say that I am half Caucasian and half Salvadoreo. I feel that many people here in America are too uneducated about other smaller cultures. Many people in America often confuse traditions, languages, and religious beliefs, sometimes even combining two very different cultures. I have had this problem for quite some time. People have often confused me for being a Mexican, or being a Catholic. I am not extremely offended, but still feel a bit hurt. I dont like it when people assume things about me just because of the way I look, speak, or act. I bet many people also find it a bit rude when you assume something about them that might not necessarily be true. I know this because of the way people react when I say something stereotypical based on their appearance. I have learned from my personal experience. Although I do see how many people could confuse the Salvadorian culture and Mexican culture for being the same thing. Both countries speak the same language, share many holidays, and are both predominantly Catholic. However, the same could be said for Great Britain and the United States. They also speak the same language, share many holidays, and share a common religious belief. However we all know that there is a huge difference between America and Great Britain. The same can be said about El Salvador and Mexico. There are many differences between Salvadoran culture and Mexican Culture. Mexicanos like to eat their food with salsa or Jalapeos. In El Salvador there is hardly any spice or heat added to the food. They prefer the foods flavor over the flavor added with salsa or other spices. In Mexico, the word Colorado and Rojo both mean the color red. An example would be the show

El Chapulin Colorado, or, The Red Cricket, which I used to watch every weekday at 2:30 pm. However, In El Salvador they do not use the word Colorado to describe red. They only use the word Rojo. In Mexico, Tamales are usually made with pork and wrapped in Corn husks. Meanwhile, in El Salvador Tamales are mostly made with Chicken and are wrapped in Banana leaves. However, the most famous Mexican food is the Taco. A Taco is basically a tortilla with meat, beans, lettuce, tomatoes, cilantro, and sometimes onions. It is a Mexican dish like no other. Its fame comes mostly from America. Each year thousands of people gorge on this super food, whether it is from Taco Bell, a local Taqueria, or a Taco Truck. The Salvadoran equivalent of the Taco is the Pupusa. Famous for its simplicity and for its deliciousness no other food can compete with it. The Pupusa is made with a thick corn tortilla filled with pork, refried beans, and cheese. Although not as famous as the Taco, it tastes just as great and is of great importance to the Salvadoran culture. However despite all the differences we have, many people continue to consider us the same culture. We are not the same and I would like for people to think before they utter an incorrect assumption about my culture. 548 words

Change In 2008 a man by the name of Barack Obama decided to run for President. He would eventually become president with the help of many young and old Latino voters. His campaign slogan was Change. In a world of corrupt leaders who only helped themselves, many people, mostly Hispanics and African Americans looked up to him. He insisted that if he were elected president he would change politics. As a Latino, I supported him. Despite the fact that I cannot vote, I felt that decisions he made today might affect me tomorrow. At that moment I asked myself what does Change really mean. Change- To cause to be different to; to give a completely different form or appearance to. Many of us Latinos have to start asking, what has President Obama changed? I always hear people complain about how Obama promised us this and that and failed to give us both. Many Hispanics supported him in 2008 and many still support him. As of today Obamas administration has deported more people than under any other president. More than 50% of Hispanics disapprove of his handling of illegal immigrants. Many Latinos are unaware of the change that Obama has brought to the Whitehouse. I dont want my previous statements to affect how you vote, but I do want them to change your stance on politics. We as Americans always complain about, well just about everything, the price of gas, food, clothing, shelter, taxes, and especially politics. Many of us Latinos also complain about those things, including politics. I was recently watching a funny video poking fun at things Hispanics dont like. In one part, the main characters wife tries to encourage him to vote for Obama. He replies in vulgar Spanish, Misma cosa, Diferente Color which means Same thing, different color. However, we should not have this type of mentality. We as Hispanics need to become more involved with politics. I feel that we shouldnt just keep our mouths shut and vote

for the lesser evil, but instead try to voice our opinions to the President himself. We need to bring back the days of La Huelga, and the, Si se puede. If we change so will the President. As of right now the President is slowly changing his opinion thanks in part to those brave Latinos who did stand up and voice their opinion. He has been the back bone of the Dream act, which if passed would allow undocumented minors a path to citizenship. With our support we can help make life easier for our fellow Americans. We need to help change Obamas decisions and policies. This is our civic duty as Chicanos and as Americans. With our help the government can change the way we live. Our lives can be much easier if we voice our opinions. We need to understand that change doesnt come as quickly as we expect. Change has to come from us first. A famous man by the name of Mahatma Gandhi said You must be the change you want to see in the world. 512 words

Connection to culture In my opinion, society no longer cares about culture. People nowadays are slowly losing their idea of culture and tradition. It feels as though people seem to have lost touch with their true culture. I myself have become Americanized. I prefer pizzas, hamburgers, and hot dogs to traditional food. To tell you the truth I think that many people in America have no idea what their culture is. Many people when they live in another country tend to either forget their original culture completely or continuously remember and pay homage to it. There are many people who choose to forget their own culture because it brings back painful memories. Many people immigrated to America to escape harsh living conditions or war. They came as refugees in hopes of a better life. However, I feel that their children or descendants should remember the hardships their parents had to go through in their country of origin. I think it is good for people to remember where they came from and all of their traditions and culture. However, there are also people who have become Americanized. These are the people who have forgotten their culture by becoming to foreign. Many people claim to be proud of their culture yet know nothing about it. They know more about America then the original country they were born in. Sometimes its not their fault. I myself have become Americanized. I listen to American music, I prefer to talk in English, and I prefer to eat American food to traditional Hispanic food. However I think it would be good if those people were educated as to what their culture is. People need to understand that they should know what their culture is before they say they are proud of it. I once listened to a Mexican radio show. They were accepting calls from upset or distraught people. One woman went on the show and complained about how much better off she

would have been had she stayed in Mexico. She said this because at the time the economy was terrible and she was very upset. As I listened I felt weird knowing that this could have been how my father could have felt. I have always felt very proud of being an American however; I have a deep respect for El Salvador because without that country my dad might not be here. That is why I feel one must respect their original culture and country as it has a significant impact on you. Many people dont understand how much of a role culture an effect has on. However, I also feel that sometimes we can adopt a different culture. I have adopted the American culture. All in all I feel that we should get to learn our past and get closer to our culture. I myself have tried to learn more about the traditions and customs of the Salvadoran culture. I have tried to communicate ideas with my father and tried to get closer to El Salvador. 503 words

Cultural Impacts My culture has had a profound impact on the world. I am a mix of two very different worlds that do not get along with each other. I am part Salvadoreo and part Caucasian. This has changed my perspective completely. Both sides of me are very different. I want to be both cultures at the same time, but neither side cares for me. I feel that my culture has defined who I am and will define my generation. I believe that my culture will have a huge impact on the world. First of all, what is my culture? In my opinion my community has contributed greatly to my culture. I have been raised and nurtured not knowing what my culture is. Ive been Whitewashed or Americanized. I have this great patriotic love for my country but at the same time I have this deep respect for El Salvador because without El Salvador I wouldnt be here. However, Stockton has changed the way I see culture. I feel that the community I live in has defined who I am and what I want to do with my life. The Stockton culture has changed my outlook on life. Another cultural influence is my family. My moms side of the family is very interconnected, while my dads side of the family hardly speaks to each other. I believe that the culture I come from and my generation as a whole will have a huge impact on the world. I know for a fact that there are millions of kids with my same cultural mix of Latino and white. Soon we will have the power to vote for the next president. We could very well change the world and the future. My culture affects me because it is an important part of my life. I feel that it is possible for me to change the course of history because of the influence my culture has. My unique blend of culture has given me the chance to change the world. I am indebted to America and El Salvador because of the fact that I am alive and for who I am as a person. I feel

its my job to represent them both in everything I do because Im proud of them. However, I feel torn between America and El Salvador. My decisions are always linked back to my culture. Each part of me fights one another in order to be the dominate part. This has me scratching my head. I love America but I dont like the way America looks down on El Salvador. I like El Salvador but I dont like the way it treats Americans. Thats why I feel that come Election Day, I will have to choose which side Im for. Do I support my conservative American half, or my liberal Salvadoreo half? This may change the world. That is why I feel that my culture will have a significant impact on the world. It has the potential to affect everyones life. 503 words