Brayden Houston

Cultural Semester Paper

Introduction
This paper will explore what I have learned about Christina Ashby, her family, and
her Mexican culture in an interview. Also included are some details about Mexican
music and Mexico's largest religion of Catholicism.
Interview
Christina Ashby is a descendant of Mexican ancestors on both sides of her family.
She has always had a great love for music. She has sung in many choirs and even
taught instrumental and vocal classes over the years. Currently, she works in the Music
Therapy field and she lives in Tooele, Utah, with her husband and their two children.
On her father's side Christina also has some Native American roots, although she
is not very familiar with that part of her heritage. Her father's family migrated from
Mexico to Utah seeking a better economic environment. Christina has yet to discover
where in Mexico her father's family came from. Her mother's side of the family was
native to Mexico and lived in what is now Texas. When Texas became part of the United
States, they chose to remain and become citizens.
When Christina was growing up she was never taught Spanish, although her
parents both spoke it fluently. When Christina's mother was 16, her family moved to
Utah for economic and financial reasons. While living there, she was teased about
having an accent. To protect her children from having to endure similar treatment, she

chose not to teach them to speak Spanish. Because she never had the chance to learn
Spanish when she was young and still has yet to learn it as an adult, it has created a
disconnection between her and her family's cultural heritage. She can recall when she
was growing up having difficulty speaking with extended family. Some of her aunts and
uncles spoke English fluently, however, her grandmother spoke only Spanish and had
very little knowledge of the English language. Barriers like these made it difficult to grow
closer to her grandmother and to learn more about her without the means of another
family member serving as a translator.
Language was not the only difference in culture that Christina experienced while
growing up. Because her grandparents on her both sides converted to the LDS church,
they caused her family to look at some of their cultural traditions in a new light. For
example, it is a tradition in Spanish cultures for a girl to have a coming of age party at
15 showing that she is ready to begin dating and growing up. However, in the LDS faith
youth are encouraged to wait to begin dating until they are 16. As a result, her family
celebrated her coming of age party at age 16 rather than at 15. She is thankful that her
parents continued to pass on parts of traditions and customs from their culture without
having to abandon them entirely. In contrast, however, Christina's mother has regretted
that her children were unable to experience some of the cultural traditions that they
could have enjoyed had they grown up in Mexico. One such tradition was that of
dancing. Christina's mother has many memories of the dances that were held on almost
every weekend. Christina's mother loved the positive social environment that it created
for her family, friends, and community. Christina's mother has always wished that her
children could have had that as a part of their lives as teenagers.

Christina's family has always had a strong love for music. Some of her favorite
memories are of her mother playing Spanish music at home and in the car. Although
she could not understand the words to the songs, Christina developed a strong love of
the musical heritage of her culture. This love of music helped to provide the motivation
to later change her major in college from Math to Music Therapy.
Christina has many memories of her father and grandfather. One of the stronger
personality traits she noticed in both was that they were both hard workers. She
remembers times when her grandfather would recount jobs from his past where he
would leave his family for weeks at a time to pick cotton or hunt armadillos and
rattlesnakes to provide for the family. She also remembers that her grandfather had a
great love for farming and raising horses, a practice that he did both in Mexico as well
as the United States. Christina was impressed at how humble and modest her
grandparents lived and she has always sought to emulate their work ethic in her own
life.
Despite the parts of her culture that she has lost because of her family living in
the United States, Christina has allowed some part of her heritage she has inherited to
shape and define who she has become, both in her personal life and in her career. She
continues to seek for new ways to learn more about her family's culture so she can
better teach her children.

Music
In Mexican culture there are many forms of music. These styles have been
diverse throughout Mexico and vary in different parts of the country. Instruments within
the music will usually include string and percussion instruments.
During its history, Mexican music had deep roots in religion. Faiths like
Christianity had collections of songs and chants for their religious music. One such
Catholic hymn is "Dios Mio, Dios Mio" which translates to "My God, My God" a version
of which has been sung by Stanislao Marino. The hymn has a flowing melody and
speaks from the point of view of a penitent sinner pleading for forgiveness from God.
The song communicates a desire to leave behind the world and grow closer to God.
Mexican music has evolved as it has been brought into the United States. When
Mexican music was brought to the United States, it was exposed to a wider audience.
With the different styles of music that are within the United States, it has created a
melting pot of different cultures. As Mexican music joined this collection of cultures, it
has affected Mexican music and American culture.
Religion
While there has never been a state religion in Mexico, a great percentage of the
country has always been of the Roman Catholic faith. Many church buildings are spread
across the country. Throughout the history of Mexico there have often been times of
hostility between church and state.

Catholicism has the roots of its doctrine within creeds such as the Apostles'
Creed and Nicene Creed. The Apostles Creed lays out 12 points of beliefs and was
written by the 12 apostles that were called by Jesus Christ. The Nicene Creed outlines
the nature of God and the Trinity. The creeds further expound Catholic beliefs about
commandments given by God through the scriptures, the Pope, and other church
leaders. In addition to believing in the two great commandments, to love God and to
love your neighbor, and the Ten Commandments as revealed to Moses, the Catholic
Church also has six further commandments that help to direct the membership of the
church. 1) You should assist with Mass on Sundays. 2) On all appointed days you
should fast. 3) You should confess your sins at least once per year. 4) During Easter
you should receive the Holy Communion. 5) You should contribute to the Church. 6)
You should observe laws about marriage.
Within the Catholic Church there is a profound reverence and respect for the
cross. Crosses can be found in the architecture and decoration of their church buildings.
It can be found around the neck of many of its members and leaders. The cross serves
as a reminder of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice to all who wear and see it. It allows all to
remember to always choose the right and to abstain from doing that which is evil.
Members also partake of the bread and water, called communion, as another way to
remember Christ. In Mexico in particular, there is a profound respect for Mary. When
settlers first brought the religion to Mexico, with them the natives were against the idea
of converting. Mary the mother of Jesus, was said to have appeared to a man named
Juan Diego. This began a large wave of converts to join the Catholic Church.

Catholicism was brought into the United Stated by many different countries, and
it also was brought by those who immigrated to the United States from Mexico. One of
the greatest additions of the Mexican Catholic community to the United States could
have been during the acquisition of the western parts of the United States from the
Spanish. Since becoming part of the country this community has continued to grow and
flourish into ever increasing numbers.
Conclusion
As the United States continues to grow and diversify, we should always
remember our roots. Just like Christina, we should also look for ways that we can learn
from and incorporate parts of our heritage within our family tree and seek to continue
passing on this heritage to future generations. By preserving our culture and heritage,
we will be able to better understand one another as we seek for a better future.

Bibliography
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"Countries and Their Cultures." Culture of Mexico. Web. 1 Nov. 2014.
"Catholic Online." Catholic Online. Web. 1 Nov. 2014.
Willey, Gordon. "Mexico." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica.
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