Page 13 - Corette-May-2022
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Just What is a“Normal” Background?
Repression of cultures affects teens and their identity
By Sophia Mikhail ‘24
I love my background. I love learning about else?” Individuality can be lost upon so many
where I come from. From the history to the kids who are just trying to fit in, and cultural
music and dance, my culture is something expression is no exception.
I am so incredibly proud of. I wouldn’t We can do better to make sure no kids ever
be who I am today without learning and feel like this. We should do better, because
embracing where I’m from. However, this little boys and girls should never have to
was not always my understanding of my grow up questioning who they are. They
identity. I have grown up in areas where a should never have to grow up feeling alone.
different culture can be the brunt of a joke, Individuality is what makes us beautiful.
something completely out of the ordinary, These traditions are a part of who we are.
and, frankly, something I had been embar- I understand that I am further removed
rassed about for such a long time. from my culture than my parents are, and
A culture represents not only a rich histo- my future children will be even further re-
ry of artistic and religious expressions, but moved than I am. So, I have to continue
it more prevalently represents a commu- learning and being excited about my family
nity. However, not all people have a great traditions and history. Without this willing-
understanding of how or why this should ness to learn, how could we ever expect to
be celebrated. The repression of cultures pass down what we know? How could we
outside of the Americanized lens of what is ever continue to embrace our cultural dif-
‘normal’ affects young people like us and ferences? Without appreciating and treating
their view on their identity into adulthood. different cultures with the utmost respect,
In middle school, I began to realize for the our heritages may not continue to be able to
first time how close-minded and ignorant flourish. Otherwise, we may not have been
some people can be. Whether it be because studying The Ramayana or The Epic of Gil-
of privilege or just because of their shel- gamesh this year. We may have never known
tered environment, so many kids had no who Oedipus was or have eaten Japanese Kit-
clue how to act when they were introduced Kats. We would live in such a boring world
to something new. To a lot of other kids, without learning and appreciating the diver-
my favorite foods were gross, and my fam- sity of the people around us.
ily traditions were weird. Things that I had We all have a unique cultural history, and it
once loved so much turned into things I is something worth celebrating. We can cher-
wanted to get away from. ish each other, learn about each other, and
Enough of these jokes and laughs made find great joy in celebrating who we are.
me start to wonder, “Is my family actually
weird? Why can’t I just be like everybody
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