In 2011, researchers conducted a study to find out why people often gain weight after moving to the United States. They found that immigrants often choose unhealthy foods because they want to fit in to American culture.
Category Archives: Culture and Belonging
Immigration, Migration, Identity at Center Stage in 2017 Smithsonian Folklife Festival
The annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, D.C., highlights the cultural diversity of American communities. Read to learn more about this colorful event that brings many cultures together in the nation’s capital.
13 Everyday Habits That Could (and Should) Change Forever After Coronavirus
Read predictions about ways the coronavirus might permanently alter our culture.
What Americans Can Learn From Other Food Cultures
Food joins people together within and across cultures. American food is slowly becoming more localized over time like French, Mexican, Chinese and Italian cuisine which is made from the produce of the region and with ingredients to hand at a particular season.
Beyond the X — Rez Ball
Catch the excitement of “rez ball” and learn about what an important part of culture basketball is on Native American reservations.
Through August: Exploring hidden cost of Grand Coulee Dam
Read to find out about a 2015 exhibit at Washington State University that explored the consequences of the construction of the Grand Coulee Dam, the subject of Sherman Alexie’s poem, “The Powwow at the End of the World.”
What if everyone on Earth spoke the same language?
Did you know about 6,909 distinct languages are spoken worldwide? However, some experts predict that half of current languages will be gone by 2100. So, what is the future of language? Are we headed toward a world where everyone speaks the same language?
How One Observant Muslim Persuaded Her Parents to Let Her Attend Princeton
The eldest daughter of six children in an observant Pakistani Muslim family has to persuade her parents that accepting her place at her dream school – Princeton – will not contradict her faith.
Why Cultural Appropriation Isn’t Cool
We live in a multicultural society, so we enjoy food, music, and fashion from many backgrounds. But when is it sharing, and when is it stealing?
Deaf Individuals Explain What It Means To Be Deaf
Several deaf individuals speak on what it means to be deaf, what deaf culture is, and how they wish to be perceived and treated.
A Young Immigrant’s Inspiring Story of Survival Moves the Internet to Take Action
The LA Times created a video documenting the struggles of a teenage, Guatemalan immigrant, which resulted in an outpouring of support.
How Minneapolis’ Somali immigrants are keeping their artistic traditions alive
Osman Ali and Sabrina Seyf, Minnesotans of Somali ancestry, love to share their art with the people of Minneapolis. Through artifacts and the art of henna, people learn about the Somali culture.
Undocumented journalist describes immigrant experience, American dream
The work of award-winning journalist Jose Antonio Vargas explores the immigrant experience and the road to American citizenship.
Stuck Between Two Cultures
Natalie Cardenas is like a lot of teenagers in the U.S. today — she feels wedged between two cultures. Natalie feels a strong connection to both her Peruvian heritage and her American identity, but somehow still feels a bit rejected by both.
How Culture Shapes Emotions
Our emotions, such as shame, are largely determined by the environment and people in which we are surrounded.
A beautiful voice and cultural bridge
How did a young African American boy from Oakland become a featured performer in Chinese opera? Find out what the cultures share.
Cross-cultural bonding leads to higher creativity
Read about a recent study that links in-depth cross-cultural relationships with higher scores on measures of creative thinking.
Cross-border life in Juárez, El Paso: Work, family—and long waits
A border between countries can symbolize a separation between cultures, but residents of the world’s largest urban border region get to enjoy the best that both nations have to offer.
First Days: The first Hmong American judge didn’t always acknowledge his roots
In this audio clip, Paul Lo, the first Hmong American judge in the country, recalls his first days in the United States. Listen to Lo talk about his experience growing up as an immigrant from Laos.
Why Bilinguals Are Smarter
Most people would agree that learning another language has benefits. But this article highlights why people who are bilingual are more cognitively advantaged than those who speak just one language.