Challenges: Nicaragua
Our struggles closely resemble those of the people and things around us. Acknowledging that, we can both learn from and better the lives of those around us. When conducting my interviews, each of my interviewees took a different approach when asked about challenges that they felt were present due to their cultural and national identities. While both of my interviewees expressed the pride that they felt being from Nicaragua they highlighted benefits that only come from being multicultural. The beauty of being from multiple places and immersing yourself in multiple cultures is that you gain a new lense in which you can view the world through. You can see both the good and the bad which allows you to appreciate both.
Can you explain an instance when your culture became a challenge for you?
Interviewee #1: Carmen G.
“I’ve never had a hard time speaking to someone else. I suppose when I was little and I was just learning English it was hard for me to communicate with other people and I was scared but I adjusted quickly.”
Interviewee #2: Yvette C.
“I came to the United States to work so that I could bring my kids here. I did jobs that were horrible to make money to bring my kids here. I also got into relationships with people that were of a different background than myself and it didn’t work out because I was firm in that I didn’t want to be a housewife and he wanted me to be. He didn’t understand why I didn’t want to be, and it was because I was living for more than just myself. I had to make money and go get my kids and bring them to the U.S. and then go back to Nicaragua to the embassy so it was all legal. It cost a lot of money so I had to work hard, I couldn’t sit around all day. But it ended for a reason and I have a great husband now, my kids were able to come, and I’m happy.”
Are there any cultural barriers that you’ve experienced?
Interviewee #1: Carmen G.
“No, I have always been proud of where I am from and it has helped me communicate better with other people because I am able to see things from multiple perspectives.”
Interviewee #2: Yvette C.
“I was lucky in that I got a good job that I was happy doing and during that time there wasn’t as much expected of you. I’m older now so I don’t experience the hardships that someone trying to do what I did 30 years ago is going through right now.”
Do you ever feel like your culture or where you are from puts you at an advantage/disadvantage?
Interviewee #1: Carmen G.
“I came here when I was relatively young so I adjusted quickly. I identify with being American. People have it hard nowadays with so much hate and racism in the world. Being Mexican is viewed as a bad thing and being from Nicaragua puts me at an advantage because I don’t have to go through the ridicule that others do. However, because it is so commonplace, the ethnocentrism that people born in the U.S. feel, they want to put you in a box to make you feel small so just being Latin can be a challenge depending on who you’re speaking to.”
Interviewee #2: Yvette C.
“My husband is from Nicaragua too. We have a lot in common becuase of it. We’re from the same town. I bought a house because Nicaragua is my home but I also live here and I’m lucky because not many people can say that. My grandkids are all different colors and there is a little bit of each country there. Everyone is celebrated. Everyone’s traditions have become my own because we are a family and I’m lucky that I live in a place where that is celebrated.”
“Our privileges are the things not within our own control that push us forward and move us ahead from that starting line. Acknowledging them does not mean you are admitting to doing something to purposefully contribute to someone else’s oppression or marginalization. Nay, friends. It means you recognize that some part of your identity puts you in a better position than others.” -Luvvie Ajayi (author)
Both of my interviewees came to the United States for a better life. Despite this, they are still proud of where they come from and are able to appreciate the benefits of that not being their only option. It is truly a gift to be apart of, and to be able to interact with an array of people from different backgrounds. You are not only able to gain perspective and insight into a world that you otherwise wouldn’t know but it rewards you with the ability to treasure the true privilege that is cultural diversity.
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