The Kruman Kolumn: First Edition!

Marlena: Everyone has a unique lineage, and nobody has the same story. What some might not realize, however, is how this affects your everyday life. From ideals, languages, and even food, we all have been touched by our ancestors. This is especially prevalent in our family, with my German mother, Brazilian aunt, and half-Indian cousins. Our family gatherings are a blend of different foods and different beliefs, which I think makes them much more interesting. If there is one thing I have learned from my family, it is that culture can play a major role in who you become.

Food is one of the most obvious impacts that the German culture has on me. I have grown up with pastries and potatoes and a lot of noodles. Family favorites include liverwurst (the liver of pig or calf) and Rote Grutze (a red berry dessert). Also, the food we bring is distinctly different from the South American food that Amanda brings. A few of my favorite treats are falafel and these delicious chocolate-covered creme cake. Of course, like people, food evolves with the times. Many countries have chain restaurants like McDonalds, but no one can quite copy the homemade German or Brazilian food.

Amanda: Living in a town like Homer, the people surrounding us are all the same. Not to be offensive or small-minded, but this town has no diversity. Because of the lack of diversity that this village has to offer, it’s no lie that we stand out (to say the least). The result of being so different, whether intentional or not, is often prejudice and racism. One prime example is references to Hitler and Pablo Escobar. Although I’m sure people say it with intentions of being funny, by relating us to people we have nothing to do with, they’re saying that it is all our country has to offer, and there is so much more to us than infamously horrible people. Another problem we run into often is our names. By having odd names, it’s normal for people to have to take a while to grasp onto how oddly-pronounced they are. Needless to say though, if I’ve known you for over a year and you’re still calling me by the wrong name, you’re disrespecting my culture by not caring enough to do something as simple as learning my name. It just proves to us that you’re overlooking our nationalities, and whether it’s intentional or not, it needs to stop.

On the same note, when it comes to accepting and understanding others, we are 100% supportive. When meeting people of other cultures or countries, we are not those people who ask the uncomfortable and frankly borderline racist questions. We have unique perspectives on the world and on the people around us.

Catarina: Growing up in a multicultural household has introduced us to not only an entire new language, but the customs and expressions that come with it. The language itself can be taught in school, but to truly appreciate and understand a culture, it is necessary to immerse yourself in it. As young children we were raised in a house of broken English. It was common for conversations to be held in two languages, as our words effortlessly flowed from one to the next. However, with this came a slightly incomplete understanding of common expressions in both languages. We commonly jumbled sayings, sometimes not even understanding their meaning. School and friends became an important puzzle piece in learning to fully understand these idiomatic expressions. Being in school offered a truly uni-cultural experience, with English and its expressions at its core. It was there that our friends in kindergarten explained to us what “raining cats and dogs” meant, and, in high school, what “cold blooded” or “wearing your heart on your sleeve” meant.

Traditions are also an important part in a multicultural family. Our families have adapted two cultures and their traditions into a single family experience. Germans open their presents on Christmas Eve, while many families in the United States open them on Christmas Morning. Compromises were made by opening presents in the morning but celebrating honored German traditions at night. In Brazil, on December 6, children leave their sandals on the windowsill. In the morning, they wake to find that they have been filled with goodies. This common Brazilian tradition is not celebrated in the United States, but the Krumans have faithfully continued this tradition.

All people have a history and background that make them unique. Your everyday life is enormously impacted by your parents, community, and mindset, all of which are things not commonly pondered by the average busy human living in the twenty first century. However, in order to truly understand yourself, it is important to reflect upon your background and what truly makes you you!