What My Culture Means to Me

Culture is a word that I only intrinsically understood in its totality a few years ago. Growing up, being ignorant and all, I thought I was “Spanish” because of the simple fact that my family and I spoke Spanish. Furthermore, I internalized being Spanish as a by-product of all the kids around me identifying me as such. Only until I began my collegiate studies would I learn culture is more complex and self-important than I previously believed; my whole perspective on the word “culture” altogether morphed. I am half El Salvadoran and half Guatemalan, but, most importantly, I am a Latino Man.

This self-realization did not come about miraculously. Hearing students within my community express their ethnicity, I heard several types of Latin American countries ratherthan the typical “I am Spanish” from what I was used to growing up. It was a critical shock, and immediately I found beauty in the understanding of self. This was just the beginning of the glorifying journey of actualization, and the person responsible for this newfound knowledge is a friend very dear to me, Liandy Gonzalez.

Liandy encouraged me to dig deeper to find out who I am personally and why my ethnicity plays a big part in who I am. I acknowledge that I am more than just Salvadoran and Guatemalan; I am a product of my ancestors. From the Olmecs to the Mayans, these pre-Columbus civilizations still resonate with who I am today from the slang I speak to the food I eat, all the way to the texture of my hair. I could not be more honored to represent my culture, and there is no limit to understanding your culture. I possess the power to encourage others to explore their cultures just as Liandy gracefully did to me because it is truly a beautiful human experience to do so.