Reflective Essay: Finding My Cultural Identity

Finding my cultural identity As a teenager my cultural identity has been impacted through the years with my family, cultural traditions, and even the music I listen too. Living in Louisiana has formed a part of my identity that couldn’t have been developed in any other state or country. From the crawfish boils every easter to the festivals every season playing the sound of zydeco, I wouldn’t trade it for anything else. First off, my cultural identity would not be the same if it wasn’t for my family. My mother’s side is who i’m closest to, and most of them are cajun. Growing up around my mother’s side of the family help me find my culture and played a part in finding my identity as well, because of her cajun heritage. My father’s side however is mostly found more up north as in Michigan and
As a child I was unsure on what the crawfish boils every easter and the big pots of gumbo my mom cooked every winter meant. To me it was just really good food that I wished stayed around a little longer. Growing up to realize it wasn’t just a family thing we did when we were really hungry, it was my culture that I shared with the people I love and grew up around. I now look at these gatherings or traditions as a treasure, because every year it reminds me how thankful I am to have my place as a cajun. Lastly, you can tell a lot about a person through the music they listen to and if they can dance to zydeco or not. I was raised on many genres or styles of music that formed me to who am and even my perspective on myself or others. When I hear the sound of an accordion play I can’t help but think of all the festivals i’ve gone to in the past to the present, and how much fun they are. The positive vibe given off from these events sticks to you, allowing it to become part of your identity as a positive person. Music can not only be a bunch of sounds but a message or personal