The two articles that I read for this assignment are called “Hispanic Heritage”. I have decided to read about this mainly because I did not understand why Latinos celebrate “Hispanic Heritage” in the USA. This celebration is completely unknown in Latin countries. Most people have never heard until they are in the USA. During the Hispanic Heritage Month people commemorate with this event in order to recognize the contributions that Hispanics make to the USA. Hispanics have and continue influencing the USA culture in music, food, politics, literature, and the arts. The author of one the articles, Nick Wilson, mentions that Latinos not only have influenced the American culture but they have died in various wars defending the USA. They have fought
Mexicans are the largest and most prominent groups of Spanish speakers living in the United States Mexicans have settled in the United States since its inception and many became de facto citizens when formerly Mexican lands were incorporated into the United States. Mexicans bring a heritage of mixed ancestry as a result of the Conquest of Mexico by Spanish and other Caucasian invaders. Today, Mexican American culture has not strayed far from its roots. Mexicans ' value system revolves around pride in family, which is ideally large and close knit, and respect for the deceased as celebrated every November 1st on “El Dia des los Muertas, or the Day of the Dead”. The primary religion practiced by this group is Roman Catholicism, the nominal
Cinco de Mayo promotes capitalize on national pride among international Latino.
How the mexicans became a colony is Spanish Conquistadores,led by Hernan Cortes,allied themselves with Tlaxcalan tribes to conquer the Aztecs,who were the most important civilization in Mexico at the time. With the aid of these tribes, plus the effects of smallpox disease that killed many of the native inhabitants, that finally conquered the lands now named as Mexico at the Fall of Tenochtitlan (capital city of the Aztecs) on August 13, 1521. Since that day, until September 27,1821 Mexico became a colony of spain. In the early 19th century, Napoleon’s occupation of Spain led to the outbreak of revolts all across Spanish American.
The New World was built on the backs of slaves who would do different jobs for small rewards or otherwise be punished or sentenced to death. This new territory was inhabited by several different European peoples including the Spanish Empire in Hispaniola and English immigrants at Chesapeake Bay, their roles in slavery differed in terms of who they acquired to work and the type of work they assigned to their help. In the 1500’s, the Spanish people had several sugar mills in the Caribbean land they named Hispaniola. Because of diseases brought over by the Spanish people, the indigenous population of this land was wiping out and therefor they needed to bring over more people to work for them.
She claims that cultural rituals and public communication enhance understanding of other cultures and encourages others to become more involved in society (Marchi, 138). Additionally, Marchi notes that many times these events take on political meaning when we don’t even realize it. Marchi argues that the U.S. Day of the Dead celebrations have provided Latinos and non-Latinos with a sense of identity, community, and cultural pride. In conclusion, Latino culture and the Day of the Dead events in the United States have greatly influenced the lives of Americans and will continue to shape society for years to
Up until the 1960s Anglo social scientists wrote most of the literature about the people of Mexican- descent in the United States. Their analysis of Mexican American culture and history reflected the hegemonic beliefs, values, and perceptions of their society. As outsiders, Anglo scholars were led by their own biases and viewed Mexicans as inferior, savage, unworthy and different. Because Mexican scholars had not yet begun to write about their own experiences, these stereotypes were legitimized and reproduced in the literature. However, during the mid- 1960s scholars such as Octavio Ignacio Romano, Nick Vaca, Francisco Armando Rios, and Ralph Ricatelli began to reevaluate the literature written by their predecessors.
Injustice and inequality often ignite the sparks of social and political movements. The Chicano (Mexican-American) and Puerto Rican movements of the 1900s provide such examples. Latinos are often considered a homogeneous and involved political subsection or as Beltrán describes a ‘sleeping giant.’ The metaphor describes a sleeping giant who contains much political control through its sheer size but does little with its power. Mexican-Americans and Puerto Ricans have historically proven this metaphor wrong and mobilized in great numbers to affect real change within their respective communities.
During my two interviews my with my two people of the Hispanic culture I came to find they were both had a good level of health literacy from a quick glance. It’s interesting I came to this conclusion fast after asking them each their questions, because I barely know these two on a personal level. Raul I met last year at comicpalooza, where we bonded over love over television and movies and came in contact since, mostly having conversations about show/movies; but never had conversations on anything like this level. Francis I met over swim class this fall at UH recreation center, so I came to the conclusion to pick two people I didn’t really know to ask these questions for this paper.
Culture is an essential part of a community’s identity, because it links individuals to a collective bond. The Americas have always contained a vast variety of cultural communities, especially in the United States. The US is known for being one of the most diverse nations in the world, housing hundreds of different cultures. Mexican-Americans display a strong sense of a cultural background, which falls as a subset of the bigger Latino culture that links all Latinos. Oral history is a major aspect on the Mexican culture, which contributes to the truth of how history in the United States actually happened.
I grew up in a two-parent household with my parents being married before they had children. My father has always been the one that provides finically, while my mother was the one who took care of my siblings and I throughout my childhood. Being that both of my parents were born in Mexico, I consider myself Mexican American. I am proud to be Mexican American. Culture plays a huge role in shaping your identity.
“The common denominator all Latinos have is that we want some respect. That 's what we 're all fighting for” - Cristina Saralegui. Judith Ortiz Cofer published the article, “The Myth of the Latin Woman,” where she expresses her anger towards stereotypes, inequality, and degradation of Latin Americans. Cofer explains the origins of these perceived views and proceeds to empower Latin American women to champion over them. Cofer establishes her credibility as a Latin American woman with personal anecdotes that emphasize her frustration of the unfair depiction of Latinos in society.
I’m the first generation of my family to be Mexican -American, but I have been introduced to the Mexican culture since I was born. I appreciate the difficulties my parents have faced to make me the person that I am today even though I wasn’t born in Mexico my parents have taught me the language and the culture which I’m so proud of being part of. For others being Hispanic is actually being born in any Latin American countries which is not true at all. Being Hispanic is much more than my cultural background it actually describes how much I appreciate my culture and how I get to experience things other people don’t. I fit into the Hispanic community through the experiencing the culture first hand ,participating in traditions and planning to include my culture in my future.
Chicano is well known and recognized around the world. Their devotion to Catholic Church and tradition is unparalleled. Their contribution to human development has been substantial and unique (Long, np). Latino culture maintains self-reliance but not in expense of family betrayal as the family is the center of psychological function. Approval of the family is extremely important when one is engaging in any adventure.
Throughout history, various ancient civilizations all over the globe have created traditions and customs that have been passed down through generation to generation. The idea of having these customs withstand the test of time is truly remarkable. A perfect example of the passing of tradition is the Mexican celebration of El Dia De Los Muertos. El Dia De Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a holiday that honors and celebrates loved ones of family who have passed away. Although it has its origins from the Aztec Empire, the holiday is widely celebrated in Latin America and even some parts of the United States.
Cultural influences people on how to communicate with one another and its methods of communication from one culture to another. Culture plays a significant role in intercultural communication. Cultural identity is an element in a person’s life when one understands their own culture, leading to an understanding and appreciation of other cultures as well. It promotes a vital part of communication between people who come from different cultures. This paper will examine my Mexican American cultural background and how it affects my way of communicating with others.