Cultural Identity

Dear Sebastian,

Its been exactly twenty days now since I've come back from my spontaneous trip to the Dominican Republic. The plans were last minute when we found out my great-grandma was really sick. So, my mom, my violin and I took a flight to DR and we stayed there for three full days. I brought my violin because whenever I talked to Mama (my great grandma) over the phone here in RI she asks me the same question: "When are you coming to play violin for me?" Really, the whole point to go to DR was to give Mama what she was waiting for before it was too late. The experience was emotional and amazing, finally getting to play for Mama and it was worthwhile for the both of us.

My trip to DR changed me a little. You may not see it but I do. After seeing my family, especially Mama, and finding out things I didn't before, I came to cherish my family much more and learned to not worry too much about the material things. When I played the violin for my great-grandma, I felt accomplished and extremely happy with what I had done and I still am. I also realized that she's the only Mama I will ever have and some new cellphone can wait.

It also just so happens that the Youth Salon is around the corner… this Friday. And our objective is to speak to our audience about cultural identities and also show it through our music. I've been to DR many times before but since I had the idea of the Youth Salon and CMW in my head while I was there, it got me thinking more. I've come to realize that I always try to be as Dominican as possible and be able to connect with my family with none of my "American" interfering. But in DR, everyone tries to be as American as possible. For instance, they've inherited our motorcycles which have pretty much become their taxis, they wear marked brands like Aeropostale or Hollister, I even heard American club music blasting on the streets. That's something we talked about in our Phase II discussions: how America is somehow making its way to other countries, yet people in America try to stay attached to their native culture (like me). In a way, it's a little ironic.

Overall, this trip allowed me to find myself and my cultural identity, just a little more.

-Alana, Phase II