Culture Combo

I never felt that I belonged to one single culture. Growing up in an Italian and Arabic family had a definite influence on me, but I was constantly being reminded that I was of Irish and Spanish descent. Being adopted allowed me to experience more cultures than the average American kid. It was kind of like having both hands in different cookie jars. The Draft I read was about whether it is possible to take two cultures that are very different and unify them into a new hybrid culture. The author talks about their experience with Bhangra dance culture among Indians in America. Take 1 part Indian culture, add American Music in a college setting, and behold the new craze. It is their experience that unifying the two dominant cultures in their life was simple and enjoyable.  I never found that to be true. I always felt a tug of war on the cultures around me. The differences in food, beliefs, language, holidays took a toll on me as a child and adolescent. All of my heritage combined with the new and rapidly changing American culture proved challenging to create peace within myself. I think that most people, especially teens will agree that it is not always easy to feel unification between where they come from and where they want to go.