You can communicate your cultural heritage through storytelling, music, song, dance, or art. You may also contribute to closing the gap by sharing parts of your social impact. As you meet new people in the United States and begin to build relationships and friendships, you may be invited to participate in their festivities or key life events. For example, if someone's wedding is canceled because of COVID-19, you could send them gifts from their registry instead.
In addition to celebrating American holidays such as Independence Day and Labor Day, some cultures have created their own special days for awareness raising or honorings. These include Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (March) and Black History Month (February).
Some cultures have used music, song, dance, or art to tell their history for many years before they were able to speak up for themselves. In this way, they are contributing to the growing movement against racism, sexism, and homophobia that is leading us toward greater equality for all people. These cultures include African Americans, Latinos/Latinas, and Native Americans.
People all over the world enjoy watching American movies and TV shows. They give an idea of what it's like to live in the United States, but also of what's possible if we work together. In fact, many popular films have become instant classics after only one viewing!
Some cultures have been able to use film to tell their stories for many years before they could even talk about their history.
Listening to folks who are a part of the fabric of another culture is one of the finest ways to learn and appreciate it. Listen to their experiences, comprehend the ramifications of the components of their culture that interest you, and utilize that comprehension to widen your viewpoint.
For example, when you go to Europe, don't just visit the Roman ruins or the Abbey museums; explore other parts of the country with an emphasis on how its people live today. Do the same in Asia or Africa. There's so much to see and learn from around the world!
The more you know about other cultures, the more you will understand why people do what they do and say what they do. And that understanding will help you relate better to those who are different from you.
So the next time you go abroad, take some time to listen to the locals, experience some of what they enjoy about their own culture, and you'll be well on your way to learning about them and showing them gratitude for their contribution to society.
Spend time with other community members. Keeping your culture alive is the greatest way to preserve it. Gather as a group not only for holidays, but also for everyday meals, events, or simply discussion. Many parts of culture, such as etiquette, body language, and comedy, are difficult to study through books and museums. Spending time with people who share your culture will help you understand it better.
Show respect to the past by learning from it and not copying it. Traditional cultures have many things that we in the west find unacceptable or inappropriate. However, if you want to keep them alive, you must learn to accept these things and not try to replace them with something else. For example, some traditions in the west include eating meat on Friday, but this is not acceptable in Muslim-majority countries.
Do not be afraid to experiment with new things to see what works and what does not. Many traditions have changed over time as society has evolved. For example, cooking food before eating it was once common practice, but this is no longer true today. Be open to trying new things to see what works best for your community.
Keep learning! As long as there are people on earth who know how to do certain things well, there will be a need for those skills. Try to learn one new technique or art form every year. This will help you maintain your culture and also give you something new to share with others.
How to Keep Your Culture When Moving to a New Country
Ideas for Getting In Touch With Your Cultural Heritage