Let me preface this post by saying that I have love and respect for all cultures.

That said, I have always wondered why certain cultures seem so firmly attached to their roots, while others are not. For example, I was blessed to study in Mexico for a semester, where I grew enchanted with the culture, the people and the traditions. Mexico (and Latin America as a whole) is incredibly connected with its roots. Nearly all Mexicans are extremely close with their grandparents and are instilled with full knowledge of the character of their great-grandparents and previous ancestors. Most trace their roots either to Spain or the Native Americans that lived there at the time of the Conquest. It is immediately apparent that in Mexico, who you are is DEEPLY tied to who you (and your ancestors) were.

I also had the benefit of befriending some wonderful Mexican Americans in college. Once I became a close friend, I was allowed into the "close nit" circle that they had. Spanish was the only language spoken. The music that played was always Latin music. I soon grew to find that this culture was their HEART and SOUL. Although they had to assimilate to American culture in public, at home my friends showed their true, vivid beautiful colors, which had a deep connection to their roots in Mexico. Not only did they identify themselves as Mexicans, but as people from Durango, or Jalisco, or Toluca, or other regions. In all honesty, I was a bit envious of this past, this tradition and those roots that formed such a critical part of their being. America definitely has culture, but it isn't nearly as well-defined or unified as that of Latin America. Besides, I never really fit into the American cultural mold in the first place, so I too grew very attached to the Mexican culture.

Today, however, I realize that I have roots as well. On my way to lunch with some friends from school, I put on an old school funk disc that I made for parties. On came Stevie Wonder's "My Eyes Don't Cry" and I immediately grew nostalgic for my home. You see, "My Eyes Don't Cry" is also known as the "Detroit Hustle," something that I perhaps had taken for granted while living there. However, my friends had never heard the song before and could not relate. At that point, I realized that I do identify myself as a Detroiter, which is unequivocally distinct from Utah culture. As the song played, I felt as if I was tapping into my past, my culture, my history and my ROOTS. It was a touching moment.

Maybe it took the cultural displacement of my move out here to Utah, but I learned today that I DO have roots. I DO share something in common with other Detroiters- not only the song, but an attitude, a style and a persepctive. I learned a lot about myself today.

What are your roots?

Awesome Ian! It all comes down to giving Prince tapes out to drive-thru clerks. That pretty much sums up our roots in one concept. I'll have more to say about this later. Very thoughtful thread.

TRON said:

That's part of it too.

I really got the wrong idea when I saw this topic. After you're "Love Thread", I thought this topic was about your sex life.

I am half Mexican, and I always am reminded of my Grandma and aunt making tortillas, enchiladas, and tamales, in the kitchen at her house. I wish I was more connected with that side of the family, but unfortunately, when my grandparents moved to the U.S., the family sort of became Americanized because they were living in a small town where they were the only minorities.

My grandmother had 20 children (15 of them lived beyond the age of 5) and Spanish was spoken with all the older siblings, but when my father was growing up, (he was one of the youngest) they were pretty much all speaking english by then, so he doesn't remember much Spanish now. I always got the feeling though that many of my aunts and uncles felt ashamed of their Mexican heritage and tried to ignore and push away anything Mexican about themselves. Even my dad can be racist at times against his own nationality, making comments about immigrants, etc. I'm always saying, "Dad, of all people to be angry with, why the Mexicans? You are full Mexican yourself?" But he just doesn't feel it.

althom said:

I have no sex life.

Moonbeam said:

I'm glad you can still laugh about it.

althom said:

I'm keeping it that way intentionally, so it's all good.

great thread, Ian!

althom said:

I dont think Americans know the significance of the word "root" to Australians.

P.S This is a generalisation of course.

bkw said:

does it mean penis?