Influence of Ethnicity on My American Life - Book Report/Review Example

Influence of Ethnicity on my American life People often struggle to create an ethnic identity when they are in a foreign country. In this case, the role of an individual’s cultural ethnicity and national identity to help an individual in a foreign country becomes crucial. In particular, young people experience problems related to a lack of identity--since most are on the age of self-realization--the moment they leave their country to study and live abroad. In this regard, the differences in the ethnic culture and country identity of their new country enormously differ from that of their mother country. However, an individual is bound to maintain their culture as they adapt and fit into a new and different environment from theirs. This expose elucidates my personal experiences and influence of the American culture on my Arab culture as I try to maintain my ethnic identity. Growing up as a young Arab boy back home was extraordinarily a good experience to me. In this case, the environment of a lovely family observing its cultural beliefs instilled a sense of identification with a rich culture that emphasized the importance of spiritual guidance and healthy living. In the Arab culture of countries in the Middle East, the family is the most important factor in an individual’s life. In addition, identifying with one’s family was the beginning of identifying with the culture and the country. Therefore, when I set out the journey to the United States of America as an international student, I was asked by family to observe my culture and identify with my ethnic background while in my new environment. On arriving in the country, I will point out that one experience I have had with the American society is prejudice. In this regard, I came to comprehend how we might not realize that we have an existing problem unless it is pointed it out. In this case, I do relate with Cathy Thompson’s position in the essay The Orie Cookie: Black on the Outside, White on the Inside, she never knew she never knew that her skin color was such a problem until it was pointed outby someone else (qtd. in Dublin 184). Although the prejudice I faced from the American society was not in comparison to Cathy’s situation, it hit me that I was different from the people in my new country. In this case, my encounter with prejudice arose from the way that I spoke English. It was during my first encounter with a group of white young men that I realized I had a big problem with my pronunciation. One of them pointed out that my English was funny and different from theirs largely. Despite this being demeaning, I never fought like Sang-Hoon Kim who describes in his essay, Discovering My Ethnic Roots, of his ordeal at the hands of bullies who racially threatened him and consequently had to fight them (qtd. in Dublin 147). Although this first encounter with prejudice had an effect on me, I had to seek an explanation to this difference. Seeking for explanations is one thing that Sang-Hoon Kim never undertook. In his case, the only thing that he did was feeling ashamed, alienating himself from his friends, and consequently distrusted the friends (qtd. in Dublin 147). However, I realized the fact that English was not my native language made me experience problems due to the influence of my native Arabic language. In addition, the fact that English was taught to me in my native language, effectively made me experience problems with my pronunciation. Since I was proud of my culture and ethnicity, I did not let the language barrier influence my behavior and adopt a new accent different from the way I spoke in order to belong since my family had instilled a sense in me that I was no different from any other person. In this case, I realized that my situation was not different from that of Jamie Dominguez who in his essay, Should I or Should I not?, talks of the influence that his family had in acceptance of his difference from other kids and learned to accept and live with that situation (qtd. in Dublin 189). Although at first I would say I tried had to adopt a new accent, I realized this would create a schism between me on one hand and my family and ethnicity on the other hand. As Dominguez noted, his change of dress and the style of speaking similar to the white kids he went to school with caused divisions with his Spanish culture and boys from his neighborhood (qtd. in Dublin 190). In this case, I also experienced problems with my family and friends when I tried first to adopt an accent. However, I realized that faking it would not help since it was a way of running away from ones cultural values and beliefs. In this case, I identified with Dominguez’s position that an individual denying their identity in order to fit into a particular ethnic group is a form of cultural and personal suicide (qtd. in Dublin 189). Other different experiences might influence a change of customs while interacting with the American society. One such experience is the Americans nature to be independent while doing things separate from their families. Thus, the American youths tend depend upon themselves with only a little assistance here and there from their parents. However, this is not the case for Arabs since we considered family as the most essential thing in life. As a fact, Arabs live together with their families for the rest of their life entirely and depend upon them for all their needs (GLOBAL CONNECTIONS). However, since I was not bringing my family to America, I had to adopt the country’s custom of being independent and learn ways of doing things on my own. It is pertinent to note that, the friendships we form can have an effect on the customs we adopt in the new country. Case in point, Arabs do not celebrate holidays such as Halloween and Christmas. However, due to the influence of my friends, I have adopted celebrating these holidays since it is important to learn other people’s culture and traditions. Nevertheless, I have to maintain the culture of my nation and ethnicity. In order to do this, I engage in prayers five times a day as expected for each Muslim (“Islam Beliefs and Practices”). In addition, I observe the Holy month of Ramadan in order to reconnect with our religion and grow stronger in faith. In addition, we observe Al Ead celebrations where we gather with our friends from our mother countries and honor our religion and rich culture. Through this celebrations, prayers, and ceremonies, I am able to maintain the identity of both my country and ethnic background however much I am influenced by the American society. Another experience I have heard with the American society is the use of fast foods forming the biggest part of the diet. Most Americans eat out in comparison to my Arab culture where we prepare our food and share it with the rest of the family. However, the fast American culture influences people to get accustomed to eating outside rather than prepare their own food. I must say that I have adopted this culture of eating in fast food restaurants while identifying the need to observe my culture too. In this regard, I often try as much as possible to eat healthy foods in Arabic restaurants in order to maintain my customs and ethnic identity. From the foregoing, it is evident that we face challenges while trying to assimilate in new countries and cultures different from ours. However, since denying ones identity in order to fit into a particular ethnic group is a form of cultural and personal suicide according to Dominguez, I realized the importance of observing my country’s rich ethnic customs (qtd. in Dublin 189). Through praying five times a day, observing Al Ead celebrations, and most importantly observing Ramadan, I have been able to observe my ethnic faith and grow steadfast to face any challenge. Although I have adopted some cultures like attending Christmas and Halloween celebrations following invites from my friends, my adoption of these customs comes from the fact that I need to understand other’s customs as well. Nevertheless, it is important for individuals to identify with their customs regardless of their location either away from home, or when at home. Works Cited Dublin, Thomas. Becoming American, becoming ethnic: College students explore their roots. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1996. Print. GLOBAL CONNECTIONS. Culture: A Rich Mosaic. PBS. n.d. Web. 3 December 2011. . “Islam Beliefs and Practices.” The Islamic Bulletin. n.d. Web. 3 December 2011. . Read More