Vincent Oblitas Professor Ryan Garcia English-1A 13 April 2023 Spanish and Me Growing up as a Latino in the US, I initially struggled to embrace my heritage due to the conflicts and traumas that plagued my family. However, my experience of learning Spanish and discovering the rich history and cultural traditions of Latin America allowed me to appreciate the beauty and usefulness of being bilingual. While I do not feel a personal or cultural attachment to my heritage, I am proud to be part of a society that welcomes and celebrates people from all backgrounds and cultures, including Latinos. Through my journey of reconciling my Latino heritage with my American identity, I have learned to appreciate the richness and complexity of my cultural …show more content…
Reluctantly, I started learning Spanish and gradually began to appreciate its beauty and usefulness. By my second year, I could hold basic conversations with my parents and extended family members who spoke primarily Spanish. I also discovered the rich history, literature, and cultural traditions of Latin America, which truthfully fascinated me. I continued to study Spanish throughout high school, got a 5 on my AP test and attained my seal of biliteracy on my …show more content…
In the continuous process of the construction of cultural identity, the human being seeks to find the place and moment in which he will feel totally and fully 'at home'" (Porto da Rocha and Strehlau, 196). This resonates with my own experience of grappling with my Latino heritage and American identity. While my cultural background has certainly influenced my identity, I don't let it define me. I see myself and still identify primarily as an American, someone who values the ideals of diversity, and innovation that make our society so great. At the same time, I am proud of my roots and the multiple influences and experiences that have shaped my life. I don't see my American identity as a contradiction or a rejection of my heritage, but rather as an acknowledgement of the complex nature of my identity. I believe that being American means being true to oneself and embracing the diversity of cultures that make up our nation. I am grateful to be part of a society that welcomes and celebrates people from all backgrounds, including Latinos, and I am committed to working towards a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and