Culture is a multi-format concept that includes any elements of a person’s daily life. It is intertwined with personality traits that shape values and worldviews. Cultural stereotypes cover the assessment of ethnic and religious characteristics as the only markers that form a particular group’s vision. However, this essay will promote the view that a person is part of various communities, each with specific preferences in behavior, music, hobbies, and other daily activities. My cultural constructs are based on pop music, modern-day technology, and the Kwanzaa celebration as a tribute to my ancestors. These characteristics explain ordinary behavior, communication strategies with people, particular representation in society, and pastimes in addition to necessary actions.
Culture includes food, religion, language, ethnicity, habits, hobbies, and numerous other aspects that form one’s identity. Besides, it is a way of self-identification in which people accept those communities that correspond to their values, interests, and preferences. As noted earlier, the stereotype that religion and nationality are the only decisive factors in social belonging is flawed. The individual independently evaluates personal requirements for behavior patterns and personality, which allows for the necessary variation in thinking (Rivas, Burke, and Hale 2019, 694). Consequently, the concept of culture covers any psychological, behavioral, and social patterns that a human prefers.
I belong to the pop music community, and it shapes my daily behavior. It covers my leisure time and is a hobby, as I am involved in monitoring the latest releases and analyzing the lyrics and messages that artists bring to the audience. My preference can be characterized by stan, which means a particular admiration for specific performers. I consider it a cultural identity, as their lyrics, arguments in interviews, and social activities create the behavioral patterns that I use to communicate with family and friends. Besides, I associate myself with a community of people who are used to utilizing modern technology daily. For example, online maps for guiding, banking, digital music, voice messaging, and many other tools shape my decision-making strategies. It can be called a nerd since these people are technologically enlightened and cannot imagine their life without it. Moreover, a fascination with pop culture and technology influences the paradigm of choice of social circles. I prefer to connect with people who share these values, art genres, social habits, and cognitive constructs. Consequently, community transformation takes place by adapting the environment to my requirements and choices.
I am one of the people who celebrate Kwanzaa as well as Christmas. It is a tribute to African Americans and our values. Every year, my family and I come together to honor our historical traditions and remind each other that we must be kind to others. I can be called a highbrow, namely a person engrossed in cultural studies and following ethnic traditions. It is not fundamentally a religious holiday, but rather an occasion to remind others that morality and ethics should remain the main features of society, regardless of the community. I believe it is a cultural characteristic, as I form the habit of celebrating Kwanzaa based on ethnic traditions.
Each person has unique preferences for daily activities, leisure activities, gastronomy, and other life aspects. I characterize myself as a fan of pop culture and technology and the one who celebrates Kwanzaa as our ancestors’ memory. These values shape my everyday vision and philosophy regarding communication with other people, self-identification, and further individual growth. Thus, culture is a complex structure that includes any social, religious, and ethnic patterns people want to have in their lives.
Reference
Rivas, Julia, Monica Burke, and Katherine Hale. 2019. “Seeking a Sense of Belonging: Social and Cultural Integration of International Students with American College Students.” Journal of International Students 9 (2): 687-703.