midnight
Oct 27, 2010
Undergraduate / "grew up in two different societies" - How has your neighborhood shaped you?! [3]
Prompt: How has your neighborhood shaped you?
When I reminiscence back on my childhood, the diversity in my neighborhood and cultural family aspects seem the most prominent. Sitting here thinking about the past I can just imagine the array of diversity depicted in the neighborhood where I spent most my years. I also remember running around outside the house playing Holi, or getting dressed up in bright shades of yellow for Diwali with my siblings and cousins. I grew up in two different societies that add up to the sum of me.
Growing up in a culturally diverse neighborhood has shaped me to be a more accepting and knowledgeable individual. Diversity in my neighborhood ranged from different ethnic backgrounds, income levels, and family infrastructures. Down the street from me there were fellow Punjabi's, across the street there were Puerto Ricans, and right next door lived a Spanish family. Within my neighborhood there are low income apartments as well as newly renovated town homes. Some of my neighbors were single parents, divorced parents, or married couples. I was surrounded by peers whom excelled in academics, athletics, arts, and then were always a couple of them who fell under the negative influence. As I witnessed my peer's struggle to keep up with school because they had "family issues" at home; I became more appreciative of the life my parents have provided me. As I watched my confused peer's walk away from life into the shadows and give into drugs; my motivation for success grew increasingly. Sometimes when I think about it I'm glad that I wasn't born with a golden spoon because now I am more culturally aware and have also gained knowledge of "streets"; something that can't be taught through school. Despite the cultural awareness; growing up around my family I have learned to embrace my own Punjabi culture and the morals that come along with it.
I grew up in an extended family that lived no more than five minutes from me and I can truly say that has been one of the major influences that shaped the person I am today. While most of my peers were out playing hopscotch with the other neighborhood kids, I usually preferred to spend time with my cousins. I believe growing up in an extended Punjabi family has instilled a lot of values and morals in me and helped me to stay in touch with my roots. My family is very conservative, strict, and religious, but this has helped me prioritize what's important in life. The wisdom I gained from my family has taught me to be an honest person; because that's the only way I can be true to myself. By living a life of honesty, I am being true to the person I am, my beliefs and morality.
Prompt: How has your neighborhood shaped you?
When I reminiscence back on my childhood, the diversity in my neighborhood and cultural family aspects seem the most prominent. Sitting here thinking about the past I can just imagine the array of diversity depicted in the neighborhood where I spent most my years. I also remember running around outside the house playing Holi, or getting dressed up in bright shades of yellow for Diwali with my siblings and cousins. I grew up in two different societies that add up to the sum of me.
Growing up in a culturally diverse neighborhood has shaped me to be a more accepting and knowledgeable individual. Diversity in my neighborhood ranged from different ethnic backgrounds, income levels, and family infrastructures. Down the street from me there were fellow Punjabi's, across the street there were Puerto Ricans, and right next door lived a Spanish family. Within my neighborhood there are low income apartments as well as newly renovated town homes. Some of my neighbors were single parents, divorced parents, or married couples. I was surrounded by peers whom excelled in academics, athletics, arts, and then were always a couple of them who fell under the negative influence. As I witnessed my peer's struggle to keep up with school because they had "family issues" at home; I became more appreciative of the life my parents have provided me. As I watched my confused peer's walk away from life into the shadows and give into drugs; my motivation for success grew increasingly. Sometimes when I think about it I'm glad that I wasn't born with a golden spoon because now I am more culturally aware and have also gained knowledge of "streets"; something that can't be taught through school. Despite the cultural awareness; growing up around my family I have learned to embrace my own Punjabi culture and the morals that come along with it.
I grew up in an extended family that lived no more than five minutes from me and I can truly say that has been one of the major influences that shaped the person I am today. While most of my peers were out playing hopscotch with the other neighborhood kids, I usually preferred to spend time with my cousins. I believe growing up in an extended Punjabi family has instilled a lot of values and morals in me and helped me to stay in touch with my roots. My family is very conservative, strict, and religious, but this has helped me prioritize what's important in life. The wisdom I gained from my family has taught me to be an honest person; because that's the only way I can be true to myself. By living a life of honesty, I am being true to the person I am, my beliefs and morality.
