The article I chose to read up on was “Is “home” still home after 30 years away?” In this article the speaker Brain De Los Santos who grew up in the U.S. talks about finally being able to go and visit Mexico, where he was born, after 30 years. He mentions that when he finally arrived people would tell him that they actually perceived him as culturally different. He was at first confused about this because to him a part of his identity was growing up undocumented, representing and feeling pride for Mexico and feeling like he had to constantly code switch. He realizes though that L.A., where he resides, is also a part of him and it is the place and culture that he is accustomed to and making it a part of his identity doesn’t make him any less Mexican.
I thought that this article was good on representing how many people may code switch between different cultures. I grew up in a similar situation and the way I was raised in my home is different from the way I was raised in NY. When I would go to school or anywhere outside my home the tv shows, dialect, and music I shared would be different even though I felt more connected to mexican culture but I agree with De Los Santos, it’s also all right to be a part of two worlds.
I related to De Los Santosβs when he mentioned that he was perceived as culturally different because I think I can speak for many kids of immigrant parents specifically Mexicans, that whenever we get the chance to visit our roots people see us as Americans and not Mexicans. Yes we all aren’t born there but Mexico is still a part of my identity. My mom and dad have told me stories of how people in Mexico take advantage of them and ask for money because they are in need and donβt end up paying back. Just because my family lives here U.S doesn’t mean we’re rich. Overall, I agree with the statement that everyone has the right to be a part of two worlds.
Hello! I think you chose a great article. Anyway, I think that you really put together perfectly how this article was written and the use of code switching. I agree that when you live in such a multicultural city, you are within two worlds that connect who you are and where you are from, if that makes sense. But I really do agree that it is alright to be a part of two worlds.
I agree with your view on code-switching and how people use it when dealing with different cultures. I also do this because when I am around people from my country and culture I am a completely different person when compared to when I am around my friends from school.
I can relate to this because I have family in Russia and since their culture is different, I don’t communicate the same way I would with someone from America. I like the fact that you mentioned a similar situation in the way you were raised. Code-switching can look different for everyone and I think you did a good job of explaining that!
I would also say that I somewhat relate to the article because I have a lot of family that lives in Europe and I go and visit them every summer or every other summer and although I go there often it still feels different. A lot of the times I go I often do code switch because I am not very close with my family there as I am with family here because I don’t see them that often. I also find it interesting when you added that De Los Santos almost feels like an outsider when he goes back to Mexico even though he considers it a large part of his identity.
I find that the author did a great job of explaining that one’s identity is not defined by a single culture. Instead, it thrives by embracing diverse backgrounds.
This article sounds interesting not only because of the experience you explained but also because I can relate to him coming from a Mexican family. I think many of us can agree we have dealt with a similar situation, and it’s hard when you don’t know where you are entirely accepted. But the last part was very powerful that its okay to be a part of two worlds.
I really appreciate the article you’ve chosen because I myself come from a Mexican family, Household and you can very much see the polarity between the outside world and what at home can be like. I also like the fact everything is direct and well represented of the blog.
I can really relate to this because I grew up with Dominican parents but for the most part only my dad spoke Spanish 24/7. So growing up it was hard for me to understand and speak Spanish and still is but I was still very immersed in my culture. So when I recently went to the Dominican Republic I tried my best to not speak English but when people realized I was from America they would try to be overly nice asking me for weird favors or treat me differently sometimes in a good way and sometimes in a bad way.
I think this articles explains well how it feels to be born somewhere but be raised in a completely different place. You don’t necessarily have to identify yourself from only one place, but you can do it with both because they are both part of who you are today.