Retro-Acculturation, why it’s cool, and good!

    I remember many years back, a lot of my cousins and some of my friends, even though they were Hispanic, they refused to be labeled as such; it was not cool at that time, it was hard to fit. But as our Hispanic community has grown, more and more Hispanic young people are starting to realize the beauty of their heritage and culture.

    Nowadays, being Hispanic is cool and it’s in. Not as a fad, but more as a way of life. People realize that returning to our roots can yield a true sense of identity of whom we are and where we come from. It helps us express and be proud of ourselves as individuals and as part of a bigger community, with its unique gifts and contributions.

    To differentiate, “Acculturation” is the process by which an individual from one culture adapts to another and incorporates the values of the new culture to its own. This can lead us to accommodate to new life styles or in some unfortunate cases to suppress our identity and become part of the mainstream. “Retro-Acculturation” in the other hand is the conscious search for the lost or missing ethnic identity.

    Hispanic youth these days are a very different group, different from their parents and from their peers from other cultures. Even in your case, you were probably born and raised in a home that was partially acculturated. This means that you learned some values, like the Spanish language, the religion, and other specific characteristics, that your parents or ancestors brought from their own country, and a combination of newly acquired cultural characteristics.

    One great advantage for you as a Hispanic young person is that you can be fully bi-cultural, that you can be as much part of the mainstream US fabric, and still be able to identify strongly with your Hispanic heritage. They are not necessarily exclusive as much as advantageous.

    Now, young Latinos are expressing a strong desire to learn about their culture and their parents’ traditions. There is an awakening of pride and acceptance that is helping soften the differences with their past generations. There is a newfound respect for culture, traditions and a desire to be part of something different and special.

    At your age and at this particular time in US history, this is the perfect time for you to explore the beauty and the richness of your Hispanic roots. Take the time to chat with your parents and grandparents, listen to their stories, ask them about their experiences and their growing up in their home countries. Share with your pears about what is important to you.

    You can also begin to read and learn, if you are not already, about your cultural background and discover what it means to be Hispanic. You will be pleasantly surprised about what you learn, and you will be transformed by the experience.

 Do you agree with retro-acculturation? What is your experience as a young Hispanic? How do you express your ethnic pride? How does the way you define yourself impact how you act or who you are in society? We would love to read your thoughts.