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Karina Orozco
Professor Makarosyan
English 144B
10 May 2015
My Dignity
As a little girl I always struggled to find where I fit best in terms of cultural background.
Being born in the United Sates and both my parents being born in Mexico, I always found a
culture crash every time my family would spend time together. Not only has both cultures
defined who I am but it has given me dignity and shaped me to be the person I am today. I have
learned so much from both cultures that I am very blessed to be a part of both equally. Although
growing up to both cultures was a lot of fun and brought knowledge to me, I found myself
keeping up with both Mexican and American customs in different areas of California growing up
to many life experiences, cultural knowledge, and I always keep enjoying the many beautiful
aspects of religion from my Mexican culture that has shaped my family to who we are today.
Born in Ventura, California along with both of my brothers became a different experience
than the childhood my parents were raised in. My parents were born and raised in Mexico from
the day they were born to about the age of 14 when they immigrated to the United States to
better their life and future. My parents were very poor growing up with very little education to
hardly any education since they spent the majority of the time working endless hours to maintain
their big families. As a true Mexican family, they stayed true to their culture and still practice
cultural rituals here in California along with others round the Ventura County area. Mexicans
stay true to their culture by being committed to the Catholic Church. Being involved in the

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Catholic Church connects my parents and I as it joins all of our family together as one to thank
God for the accomplishments in life. My family and I go to church every Sunday to thank God
for the many blessings received, the fortune to have family together, and abundant food and work
to survive. As of today my family and I still attend church and continue with catholic traditions
with ought being ashamed of our background here in the United States.
My mother and my father started a family of three and I, as the middle child, was
privilege to be born here in the United States in Ventura, California. As I grew older, I was first
taught to speak Spanish. My parents raised me and my bothers within the Mexican culture. As I
remember being in elementary, I experienced a cultural clash within what I was used to at home.
I remember being shocked to see differences in the American culture at school. I remember
having to perfect the English language by the time I entered third grade which was a challenge to
me thought my grade school years. I had to learn to perfect it towards the end of Jr. High and
thankfully I was able to learn the English language and graduate from elementary school. One of
the other cultural shocks was eating school food that was completely different than what I was
used to eating at home. I was never raised eating hamburgers nor sloppy joes. I was raised up
eating simple dinners that contained beans, chicken and salsa dishes with corn tortillas all home
cooked meals. I also found it quite difficult to adjust myself with a group of friends because I
was considered the odd man out but thankfully I was able to make friends with my friendly and
humble attitude.
Although my parents and I grew up in different countries, I am very blessed to be a part
of two rich and amazing cultures. Not only have I learned to get used to eat hamburgers and
pizza but continuing to follow my Mexican culture has shaped my dignity. There are many
places all over the world that have accommodated everyone into making them feel comfortable

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for who they truly are, and thankfully I have found that space. I have lived most of my life in
Oxnard, California and to me this is the city that best defines my cultural space. Oxnard is
populated with multiracial communities. From Mexicans to Asians, African Americans to the
white community and many more immigrants that have found jobs in Oxnards agricultural
community. One of the best things that I enjoy about Oxnard is an area called La Colonia. This
area in Oxnard is one of the oldest areas rich in the Mexican Culture. Within La Colonia there
are two main Catholic churches which practices all of the Catholic rituals and reenactments of
past events during the time of Jesus. These reenactment are done along the streets of La Colonia
mainly on Cooper Rd. as the towns people join with the church and perform as Mexican people
would do in Mexico.
During the month of December, the community start by doing a special dance that the
Indians used to dance for the Virgin Mary. The people reenacting the dansa dress up with
amazing Indian attire with bright colors mainly the colors of the Mexican Flag which are red
white and green. These colors not only represents the Mexican flag but also the place where the
Virgin Mary made her first appearance to Juan Diego in Mexico. The music that is being played
while they dance involves drums and noise makers called Maracas with a Mariachi and Banda
playing thought the streets. Along the streets of La Colonia, almost every house has a little stand
in front of their front yard filled with toys and handmade clothing and many more souvenirs. One
of my favorite parts of being a part of this cultural religious fiesta during Christmas is the aromas
I inhale from one end of the street to the other. One of the best foods they offer are the traditional
Mexican carnitas, tacos made out of pig meat, mole which is cooked chicken marinated in a red
thick salsa and menudo which is a traditional Mexican soup made with beef stomach in broth
with red chili. These dishes are prepared homemade and served hot with homemade tortillas right

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outside the front yard of the houses mainly prepared by the woman. This totally gives the whole
fiesta the Mexican Culture feel I would experience in Mexico.
As I grew older, I gave myself the opportunity to explore within my own two cultures. I
decided to do research on my own and I found many interesting facts about the Mexican Culture
that also related to the life that was practiced here in the United States. One of the similarities
between the two where how both cultures are happy and prideful to represent where they come
from. In the Mexican culture we represent by the attire we wear, the music we listen to and the
food we prepare. Although Mexico is mostly known for Mexican food, other cultures can
distinguish us very easily. The American Culture mostly consists of education and the land of
opportunity with the endless job opportunities it has to offer and to us all the Mexicans that live
in the United States are grateful to have the opportunity of a job as we are all very had working
immigrants. Sometimes we all dont stop and truly appreciate our surroundings. People dont
always realize the richness that surrounds them, and I am fortunate enough to have the
opportunity to be a part of both cultures. At first I always thought that everyone that surrounded
me where all from the same cultural background but once I started to pay closer attention to the
diversity and the differences within each culture, it was truly and eye opener. I was able to learn
and become knowledgeable of all the beautiful aspects within each cultural background.
Within the city of La Colonia, the first thing everyone notices are the style of every house
in that neighborhood which are almost identical to the type of houses you would see in Mexico.
Not only does it look like the pueblos of Mexico but the feel you get as you walk down the
streets is almost identical to the home feel that you take in from visiting Mexico. Another aspect
that anyone can find is the Catholic atmosphere. La Colonia is a very poor area but rich in faith.
As the sun rises the roster calls and the church bells rings indicating that mass is about to initiate

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within minutes. In the morning as I hear the church bells call out the towns people to gather up at
the church for mass, brings back the feel if how the very first towns ever built in Mexico would
call out to the people when he priest would arrive at the church for mass. I live about four miles
out of La Colonia but every Sunday my family and I drive to La Colonia to go to church because
it gives my parents that same feel of how they would attend church in Mexico. As my family and
I walk into church, almost everyone walked out of their houses heading towards church to hear
the sermon. The Catholic religion not only involves me in church but in La Colonia church is
home. Church in La Colonia is one of the main icons of that area. The church gives back to the
poor people lining around that area by organizing fundraisers to raise money to help those
families in need. The church also funds by organizing festivals to celebrate during holidays and
church seems like the perfect place to get together with family and friends and just pass a good
time. As it is a small community.
La Colonia residents always seem to know each other very well but they can also be the
nicest most humble people you can ever encounter. Again, another trait that Mexicans share
amongst each other. A lot of my non Mexican friends that have visited La Colonia for the very
first time are almost always scared and feeling out of place once they step foot on the streets of
La Colonia. Mexico is a third world country so its obviously not as pretty as we are used to
seeing here in the United States but to me thats home. Some might feel insecure do the Mexican
stereotypes of us having dangerous gangs but to me its home. There are part of my people and
the reason why I am who I am. Although I was not born in Mexico I fell more at home when I
am with my Mexican family. It is what I was raised upon and what I continue to follow. It was
hard combining both cultures as I was growing up but I am also very grateful to be an American
Citizen because it has granted me with many opportunities and being a part of two cultures has

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shaped me into being the person I am today. I wouldnt have it any other way. Sometimes I find
it difficult to just label myself as an American Citizen as I am also a Mexican raised child. I can
definitely relate to Mis Caderas in that aspect of my life how I consider myself a hybrid not
only bound to one culture but connected with both cultures all together. I am grateful to be
considered a part of both cultures.