In America, there are many different cultures and languages, hence the nickname the country was given in its early days, the melting pot. However, due to societal pressure and the idea of an “American”, many people of color have suppressed their culture to assimilate. Now, more than ever, Americans should strive for a greater understanding of the importance of various cultures.
During this quarantine, learning the language of one’s own culture has been a popular hobby. This not only allows people to understand and converse with one’s family, whether it be uncles, grandparents, parents, or others, but it also allows one to understand the culture of their fatherland. After interviewing multiple people from many different cultures and ethnicities, one of the largest topics of concern was assimilation and the “American life.” This underlying idea that American culture does not include cultures of other nations has impacted many from a young age. From the food to the language, many people have received racist remarks from the start of Elementary school, leaving a huge impact on their lives and making them feel excluded and “uncool.”
However, as time passes by, many are trying to relearn their language and culture and accept the beauty of their lifestyles. If learning one’s culture and language is something that appeals to you, it might be a good idea to use Duolingo, an app that helps one learn a language from the basics. As well as Duolingo, in the time of social media, Youtube is a great way to find videos on one’s culture and language. This provides a more humanistic perspective and can provide a visual representation of one’s culture. As well as this, asking for cultural recipes or music from parents, relatives, or friends can be a great opportunity to learn.
There are many ways to learn about culture, whether it be from a class or from those near you. Utilizing family members to help practice learning a language and understanding ones background is a great way to not only pass the time during self quarantine, but is also a great way to bond and spend time with your loved ones. Learning about one’s past and where they came from, can help shape not only their own future, but the future and culture of the country as a whole.
