Heritage and Heart: How Family Culture Shapes Connection

January 22nd, 2025

Let's dive into how my family’s unique cultural background has influenced my worldview and self-perception. By exploring my heritage and ethnicity, I hope to uncover the profound connections between family, culture, and personal growth.

Family Culture

Growing up in New Mexico, my family’s cultural identity was deeply rooted in Hispanic and Indigenous traditions. These rich heritages shaped not only our daily lives but also my understanding of community and belonging. One vivid memory is helping my great grandmother prepare tamales, albondigas, and flour tortillas during the holidays, an act that symbolizes unity and passes down cherished recipes and stories. These customs instilled in me a profound respect for tradition, resilience, and the importance of preserving our heritage.

Through these traditions, I learned the value of community and the power of intergenerational connections. However, through my healing and overcoming personal traumas, I have had to create boundaries with my family due to intergenerational traumas. As an incest survivor, I find it safe and empowering to carry these teachings of positivity into the future, leaving behind the dark and scary aspects of the past. This journey of setting boundaries has been essential in fostering a healthier, more optimistic approach to life and relationships, while still honoring the strength and resilience within my heritage.

Ethnicity

My ethnicity has played a significant role in shaping my social interactions and self-perception. As someone of Hispanic and Indigenous descent, I’ve experienced the duality of navigating two interconnected yet distinct cultures. One memorable experience occurred during my campaign for student body president when I invited my mariachi group to perform for the school during lunch hour. This event was not only a celebration of my cultural heritage but also a way to connect with the student body through the vibrant music that represented my roots. The performance resonated with my peers, fostering a sense of unity and appreciation for cultural diversity. Winning the election after this experience reinforced the importance of embracing and celebrating my ethnicity while sharing it with others in meaningful ways.

Ethnicity has also influenced my sense of identity within myself. Growing up, my friends and I often discussed how our heritage shaped our experiences, from language to traditions. These conversations highlighted the shared pride we felt in our culture while acknowledging the nuances of blending multiple identities. Such experiences have deepened my understanding of how ethnicity contributes to both individual and collective identities.

Where Culture Meets Identity

The intersection of my family culture and ethnicity has provided both challenges and advantages. On one hand, balancing the expectations of two cultural identities required navigating societal perceptions and stereotypes. This reminds me of the scene from the movie Selena where her father explains the challenges of being Mexican-American, saying, “We have to be more Mexican than the Mexicans and more American than the Americans, both at the same time. It’s exhausting!” That scene resonates deeply with me, as it captures the pressure of maintaining cultural authenticity while adapting to societal norms. On the other hand, these experiences fostered resilience and adaptability, teaching me to embrace diversity and advocate for inclusion. The interplay of family culture and ethnicity has shaped my relationships, encouraging me to prioritize empathy, mutual respect, and open-mindedness.

Reflecting on family culture and ethnicity has illuminated how deeply these aspects influence my identity and interactions. This process has provided new insights into the strength and richness of my heritage, as well as the importance of preserving and sharing these traditions with future generations. Moving forward, I hope to use these reflections to deepen my connections with others, celebrate diversity, and continue growing in self-awareness.