Connecting To and Taking Pride in One’s Culture

By Louis Kim

When we think about who we are, we don’t realize that our culture defines us more than we think. Our culture is how we are taught to live and act through many different ways. From small traditions such as taking off one’s shoes when entering the household, to maybe saying a prayer before eating a meal, culture is what is ingrained into our lives. Culture is defined as the customs, arts, and achievements of a particular social group making it an important aspect of everybody’s life. If this is the case, you might ask why there are some people who are ashamed of their own culture?

It could be due to a multitude of reasons. Maybe someone just wants to fit in with others and their culture is something that other people have never seen before. Or, perhaps their beliefs contradict the beliefs of others that they know or live with. However, there is a difference between conforming with society and their rules, and finding your own place within society. Many people believe that when moving into new places or towns, it’s mandatory to conform to the culture that is being used as it is respectful and would make it easier to fit into the community. While this is true, that doesn’t mean one should throw away their own and beliefs. Rather, find a way to integrate your own ways within the community as to add to the diversity that people should have.

This leads us to when people try to mix cultures with one another in what many people call cultural appropriation. Cultural appropriation is a term that many people use when they see that another culture has appropriated another culture’s customs and traditions in a usually inappropriate way or without acknowledgement. According to an article, cultural appropriation is simply “fake pride” in one’s own culture and, “was stripping people off of their individuality.” When people call out others for wearing kimonos when they are not Japanese, or jewelry that is not part of their culture, it stops people from trying to integrate other cultures into their lives and therefore, keeping them from showing their individuality. Those who take pride in their culture should be glad that other ethnicities and people want to try their customs or traditions rather than being outraged that people are trying something new in their lives by showing their interests in other customs and traditions. Taking pride in one’s culture isn’t just having the strength to incorporate it into new and foreign lands, but also allowing others to learn and interact. After all, when someone takes pride in their work, why wouldn’t they allow others to follow their footsteps in how they achieved that work, rather than shunning and yelling at those who simply admired it.

When we think about our individuality, we don’t think about how much our culture influences us through our daily lives. Our morals, views, and beliefs are all developed differently due to the culture we each grew up with and we have the right to take pride in that. That is not to say that cultural appropriation is non-existent, as there were many cases where one culture displays another culture’s traditions and values in an inappropriate way, giving those the right to argue against such insults. However, people must also remember that there are those who genuinely want to try their traditions and ways in order to find their own individuality. Connecting to one’s cultures doesn't always mean being only with those who share the same culture, but sharing it with others and spreading your traditions and ways. It is a person’s right to have pride in their culture just like how people reserve the right to have opinions and freedom. No one has the authority to take that away from them.