Cultural Self Portrait

Cultural Self- Portrait

What do you think of when you hear the word culture? Do you think of race, nationality, or where someone is from? Culture is more than that. Culture can be defined as being the traditions, customs, nationality, beliefs and values of a certain group of people. It can also tell a person's language, gestures used, communication methods, the types of food they eat, and what the group of people wears.

Culture lets us know who you are as an individual. People of a culture have similar thoughts and actions. Many cultures share the same thought, that doesn't mean they are a part of the same culture though.

Although some may argue and disagree, I think that a person can be a part of many different cultures. As a child you can grow up learning one way, but as you get older you may choose to go by different values and beliefs. So therefore you are a part of many different cultures.

There are many things that can be used to describe me. My ethnicity, my beliefs, the types of foods I eat, the clothing I wear, my hobbies, the language I speak, and my religion.

Many of my friends and family would portray me as being an eager and determined young lady that is destined to reach her goals. They may also use words such as: caring, observant, accepting, respectful, and fun to be around.

My race and ethnicity also plays a role in my culture. I am a part of The Black Student Union "BSU" here on campus, and last semester I had the opportunity to attend the National Black Student Union Conference in Chicago, Illinois. It was a great experience and I learned a lot of new things. For example, I learned that I am not an "African-American" but instead an "American-African". I personally am not from Africa; my ancestors are, so therefore I wouldn't use the word African as an adjective to describe American. Instead I would use American to describe African.

I am originally from the south, Tennessee to be exact. The song "Southern State of Mind" by Darius Rucker would describe me perfectly. Things are much different now that I live in Ohio. The foods we eat there are a little different than what we eat here in Ohio. My father and uncle did a lot of fishing and hunting so we ate a lot of deer meat and catfish. We also drank a lot of sweet tea. Here in Ohio, they don't have sweet tea, and if they do it doesn't taste the same.

I also enjoy hunting and fishing as well. My friends up here think it's a little odd that I do some of the activities I do, but I can't help it, it's a part of my culture! Riding four-wheelers and atvs, camping, going mudding, and having bonfires are also activities I enjoy.

I don't fit into many of the stereotypes that they have about my culture. For example, I have heard that all African-American love watermelon, fried chicken,