Megan Merrill- Cultural Report Introduction

         One’s cultural identity is important for their sense of self and how they relate to others around them. Culture refers to the customs, practices, languages, morals and views that define social groups such as ethnicity, gender, nationality, region or sexuality. It is important for people’s sense of self and how they relate to others by identifying with a specific social culture and can contribute to someone’s overall wellbeing. I live in a sorority with approximately 100 other girls, some coming Hispanic dissent. I wish to learn more about their heritage, traditions, and how they remain connected to their Hispanic culture.

         For my cultural report, I have decided to focus my research on the cultural identity based on ethnicity; exclusively on the Hispanic-American Culture. My intentions are to reveal the importance of a shared national identity and sense of belonging that the Hispanic-American community feels as being citizens in the United States while belonging in a Hispanic social culture. I want to find where this group finds value in cultural, social and ethnic diversity. I feel that the strong Hispanic-American presence within the Midwest, specifically in Nebraska, will create an opportunity to uncover the information I wish to find in my cultural report.

         In order to study the Hispanic-American community properly, I plan on identifying restaurants, shops, markets, and churches that the Lincoln Hispanic-community frequents due to the cultural relevance of those places. I will conduct interviews with various Lincolnites that were raised in a Hispanic-American upbringing to find out how strong their ties are to their culture.