What is culture?
"Culture is the basic foundation of rules in your life.... Sometimes I confuse culture with personality... a mother has certain beliefs.. a teenager identifies with this that and the other [one] begins to identify [creating] a package"
Is there an American culture? Perceived or real?
"...everybody has representation.... we're a melting pot.... I see that as percieved culture"
"[American culture is] European values, European culture with added stuff... Yeah there is an American culture but there are two sides.... I believe it's media created because it's always changing... to make everyone happy and comfortable... everybody wants to be included."
Where do you fit into "American culture"?
"Sometimes I feel like I fit into the outcast part.. unknown and unwanted.. the bad seed of it. Dominant society [sees me that way] I see myself totally different"
I am a part of it... I might identify with something else. You grow up in a culture that says [certain things] are O.K. You operate on that.... I try not to be a part of it.. [i try to be]something more. [I will not be] not assimilated. My culture supports that [growth]
Do your opinions noticeably differ from your parents or older siblings?
"We are different in how we choose to operate. I think it has to do with the time they were raised, their age and religion."
What does it mean to be American?
"When someone says I am American that's different from saying I am from America. It's like... I am proud of that... I relate to, believe and uphold it." Not just I am from America
So you have any religious, ethnic or family traditions?
"We all go to Aunty Gladys' house... thanksgiving, after somebody gets married, birthdays..." Family connections are important.