Many people think of culture in relation to their ethnicity but it is so much more than that. Culture by dictionary definition is “the total of the inherited ideas, beliefs, values, and knowledge, which constitute the shared bases of social action”. This constitutes everything from traditions to attitudes/behaviors that we have. So yes, some of your culture comes from your ethnicity and traditions of your ancestors but it goes deeper than that. My personal “culture” is based not in my German or Native American roots but in my religion. I am a Christian, I was brought up in a Christian home, I believe in the Bible, and every aspect of my life comes back to that base. Now, I have pride in where I come from and being an American and that should not be discounted but, everything from how I eat my food to how I speak to people can be tied back to some thread of my beliefs. For me my culture is very important, it is one of the biggest defining factors of who I am. Not only who I am, but my concept of self is strongly rooted in these beliefs, values and traditions that I was brought up knowing.
