What is culture? My definition consists of family values, ancestry and beliefs. Many people know me as a Latina who is loud and proud of where I come from. Granted, I do not celebrate many Hispanic traditions, but my mother still tries to instill those values in my siblings and myself.

My mother’s father is from Monterrey, Mexico. Her mother’s family is descended from the kings and queens of Spain. My dad is Irish and German. Both sets of my father’s great grandparents came over from Ireland and Germany. My dad tells us stories about his family and how the German side came over to America as a stowaway. He was caught and pardoned by the ship’s captain and to earn his keep, he had to take care of circus animals.

My mama tries to tell us that being Hispanic is important, when she grew up in a time where my grandfather tried to not speak any Spanish at all. My mother had to assimilate and tried not to be who she was. That, to me, says that people were afraid to embrace their culture. But my mother had to back in the ‘70s and ‘80s. People today do not have to try to mask who they are supposed to be.

My best friend is Norwegian and is descended from Vikings. Every time she goes over to her grandma’s for Christmas, they make a Norwegian dish called Lutefisk. It is soaked in lye, which is a poisonous substance, and is considered an ancient Viking delicacy. She is proud to be Norwegian, but she also loves America because this is her country. She is an example of what people should be like with their culture.

It is important for people to know where they come from and to embrace it. We should not have to change our ways and our beliefs to fit into somewhere. If you do not embrace it, then how are people to learn about other cultures and not judge a person? This country is great; we just need to remember where we came from and what morals our ancestors grew up with.