Photo by Your cultural identity is an important aspect of who you are, and how you see yourself. But, if you live in a diverse melting pot country, such as The US, Australia, or Canada, then this can be challenging at times, especially if you don’t know much about your own origins. Therefore, learning as much as possible will be of great help. Aside from this one, there are other, equally useful tips that will help you establish your own cultural identity. So read on to find out more about it.
1. Get to know your past
If your family history is a bit colorful and challenging to grasp, then learning more about your ancestors and past is a great place to start. Simply, knowing the exact nuances of your heritage can help you prioritize things that matter to you the most. Also, feel free to consider getting reliable specialist genealogy research, in order to know more about your ancestors and their places of origin. Shaping your cultural identity should always start in the past, so if you’re unsure how to approach this, then this is the step in the right direction.
2. Talk to your family members
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Family members, especially older ones, are often full of valuable information. So next time you happen to visit your family, feel free to talk to your grandparents, and elderly uncles and aunts, because chances are, they’ll likely know more about the family’s origins. Thanks to social media, reaching out to long-lost family members has been easier than ever. The results from this may vary, but one thing’s for certain: you’ll definitely learn something new if you include your family members.
3. Feel free to travel back
Let’s say that the majority of your family comes from Ireland. In that case, traveling there can help you reconnect with your roots, and potentially meet some distant relatives as well. If this is your first time visiting, then feel free to ask around about the vital information that might be helpful. The internet is full of forums and other online spaces that can provide you with such type of information. If your family origins trace back to a country that currently feels unsafe to visit, then feel free to ask an older relative or a sibling to keep you company during the visit. Plus, the fact that a lot of countries might give you citizenship based on your ancestry is definitely a bonus!
4. Embrace the community
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Sure, sometimes the community members can still hold outdated beliefs related to the culture of origin. But, embracing the community and being active is also a great way to embrace bits of your identity that alight with the culture. That’s why it’s often recommended to visit churches and community centers that are known to congregate members of certain cultures or nations. Such places often tend to embrace culture by utilizing cuisine, theatre, and music performances, so that’s why they’re perfect places if you want to rediscover your roots and cultural identity.
5. Invest some personal effort
If you’re a child of first-generation immigrants, then it’s very likely you’re in between the cultures. That is a common issue for many immigrant children, and if your parents were too busy to speak your mother tongue to you, then it makes sense if you also feel some resentment. But, once you become an adult, it’s your responsibility to embrace your culture by investing some personal effort. That includes learning the language, traveling, and partaking in customs and activities that are closely connected to your culture and tradition.
6. Be ready for some setbacks
If you ever decide to go down this path, which is an amazing decision, it’s also important to be prepared for some eventual setbacks. For example, people from your country of origin might not even consider you equal to them, despite the same physical features or your last name. Again, this is a common occurrence, and it shouldn’t deter you from exploring and learning more. As long as you’re respectful, curious, and kind, you’ll be able to gain valuable experiences, and also grow as an individual.
Conclusion
Discovering and shaping your national and cultural identity can be a long process. But, with enough effort, it’s possible to reconnect with your roots and become a better person. Also, genealogy research, as well as learning the language and partaking in cultural activities will surely help you embrace your cultural identity.