My Personal Culture

Who Am I?
By: Brianna Lysne
27 March 2017
Hello everyone! My name is Brianna Lysne and today I am going to try to express in

both words and pictures who I am and what culture, values, interests, and ideas make

me me. Ill start with the easy stuff, I am a 29-year-old white female. The first thing I

think of when I think about the question who am I, is that I am a mother. I have two

beautiful daughters who are basically the meaning of

my life! I cannot remember or even conceive of my

adult life without them and I wouldnt want to. I also

have my husband of 5 years, but we have been together

for almost 10. My nuclear family is probably the thing in

my life that I value most, my children more than anything.

Next, Ill talk about my background and I

suppose my strongest cultural influences. I am

American first and foremost and I have always lived

on the West Coast and basically grew up in Las Vegas,

Nevada. I think that growing up in Las Vegas has

definitely influenced my culture and values because

of the diversity of people that live here and the unique

vibe and rhythm that exist in Las Vegas. I tend to take

our relatively simple weather for granted except the high summer temperatures and I

am also used to the vast amount of entertainment and activity available any hour of the

day. Las Vegas a lot like a big city but our city isnt actually that big. Also, I do feel that

growing up and living on the West Coast we are a lot more progressive and accepting of

alternative cultures and lifestyles than in other parts of the country.

 Although I may be considered a part of the standard culture being that I am a

white, middle-ish class, mother of two, I do have cultural history like we all do. My

great-great-great-great (?) grandparents immigrated to the United States

from Ireland sometime in the late 1800s. Ive always held a

warm place in my heart for my Irish heritage and I still resonate with Irish

folktales, Irish music, and I know if I can make it to Ireland one

day just being there would mean a lot to me. The pictures Ive

chosen to represent my Irish heritage are the familiar clover

symbol but this one is drawn with a Celtic knot design as well as

the Claddagh symbol which is usually seen as an Irish ring

symbolizing love, loyalty, and friendship. I remember as a kid, I

would get really upset when I proudly proclaimed that I was Irish and the other kids

wouldnt believe it because I didnt have red hair. I also have some Italian and European

heritage but Ive always felt a deeper connection with the Irish part of my ancestry.

Other things that have a big influence on my culture and identity include my

identification with the Millennial generation. I think I am on the cusp of this generation

but a lot of the ideas and values associated with Millennials hold true with me and I

believe when I looked up the generations Millennials are those born 1980-1995 so that

fits as well. I think Millennials are generally perceived to be more accepting of

alternative lifestyles and diversity, technology literate, and success driven. I definitely

relate to these ideas and values. There are some negative associations with the

Millennial generation such as that we are shallow or lack focus and I do not think these

are true. I think technology has impacted and affected our world in such a major way

and it is an important quality to be able to adapt, change, and grow with it.
 Other factors that influence my personal culture and worldview are my personal

values and beliefs. I tried to think about what ideas and values that I consider important

parts of my life. I found that I hold a great value for individual independence and this

has had some big impacts on my life. I valued

independence more than continuing my education as a

young-adult so I didnt go to college so that I could

work full-time and move out of my parents house. I

have lived independently since I was 18 and became a

homeowner at the age of 23. Now later in life, I see the

value and importance of a college education which is why I am here now. I do believe

there is something to learn from taking the time to experience the world and life before

going to college because I am a very different person with very different goals now than I

was at 18. I believe there are no wrong paths, some just take longer than others to get

where you need to go.

Finally, I want to touch on my hobbies and interests because I think these play

into my personal culture as well. I have always considered myself a little bit alternative

although now that Im getting older that has toned down a bit. I love reading and that is

still my biggest hobby. My favorite books to read are Young Adult and Fantasy novels

and I am a sucker for vampires (ha!). I think that books and reading are so important

and can be such a positive influence as far as academics, understanding, empathy,

general knowledge, and much more. I am a big supporter of reading and libraries and I

just feel like reading is so important and valuable. I also enjoy music and generally like

rock, alternative, some country, and even occasionally instrumental music. I am not a

fan of rap but if thats your thing, thats cool. I love musicals and can watch them over
and over again. I think that Im drawn to the idea of people being able to express their

emotions and thoughts so beautifully

through songs. I like to try different

foods and sometimes I even enjoy

cooking. I love Indian food and Thai

food, oh and coffee, I basically run off

coffee!

So, lets sum everything up. I am a

30-ish, lower-middle class, white, female mother of two

daughters. I am an American-Irish, Millennial, Las

Vegan. I love reading, musicals, and rock music. This is

me in a nutshell. I love and value my family and my

children more than anything. I am a woman so the issues of

womens equality and feminism are important to me

personally as well as for the future for my young

daughters. I have found a value and appreciation for

education not only for myself but that I want to share

with children in the future as a teacher. I am a part of the

standard American culture but I have my own set of values, goals, and history.