Cultural Autobiography

Cultural Autobiography

Culture is a huge part of everyone’s lives whether they choose to realize it or not. I completely agree with the quote, “Culture is the lens through which we look at the world.” Growing up, how my parents raised me helped shape how I view cultures today. Where I lived growing up and whom I was around then have also had a huge impact on how I view cultures. Since I moved away from my hometown in Arkansas and coming to Memphis, my view of other cultures has drastically changed. I think people should strive to be more accepting of cultures that are not exactly what they may be used to.

I am a white, Caucasian female and in the middle class. I am in college and plan to graduate with my Bachelor’s degree in May 2015. My neighborhood environment now is much different than it was growing up. I lived in Glenwood Arkansas (population about 1,200 and all white) until a little over two years ago. In the neighborhood there, I knew everyone and the environment felt very safe and comfortable. Since then, I got married and we moved to Memphis for my husband’s job. Our neighborhood now seems safe and we haven’t had any problems here yet, but I don’t know anyone around us. I am very cautious here because Memphis is a much bigger area than what I’m used to. With a bigger city, comes more crime. I am also a Christian and very strong in my faith. God and church is a huge part of who I am.

I think we tend to put ourselves in a category based on race, religion, class, etc. Each of these factors has greatly affected who I am today. I don’t necessarily think I’m better than anyone else because of my race, religion, class, ethnicity or gender; but I do believe that no matter what you are people tend to think of themselves in a specific light. These factors have caused me to be more cautious when I’m out and about by myself in town. Being a white, female when I go anywhere around town I am more cautious when I see a male by themselves when I go to my vehicle.

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