El Mestizaje

I had heard of the word mestizaje before when I was in Spanish 196 and 197, but when they teach you this word they teach you it in the context pertaining to people. El mestizaje in English refers to someone who has parents from two different cultures, therefore the person themselves is sort of a mixture of the two. However I just learned that this word can be used in a different context, to refer to two cultures that come together and mix.
In Granada there is a mixture of both indigenous culture, and Spanish as well. We see it in the buildings, the outside appears to be colonial, from the Spanish, the open gardens in the inside are from the Arabic culture, and the high ceilings are from Nicaragua´s indigenous culture. Religion is especially important here, and the Catholicism was brought by the Spanish who were influenced by Rome.
I remembered learning about this topic in the previous mentioned class, how two cultures mix together. We were learning about countries like the Dominican Republic, and how sometimes two cultures can influence an area, not completely blending, but sort of how you would shake oil and vinegar and see them both swirl together. Its interesting how two cultures can be similar, yet pose completely different ideologies. Catholicism holds the Virgin Mary in high regard, and although some may argue that Catholicism devalued women by not allowing them to be priests at one point in time, think of how important this religious icon, a woman, is to the religion. On the other hand, you have the Arabic culture that subjugates women, commands they cover up, and that they stay in the home. Think of how our feminine ideal came to be, what it once was before Rosy the Riveter during World War II when women went to work while men were at war, think of where machismo came from. In fact, its even there in language, the vacuum is la aspiradora, the kitchen is la cocina, where does the woman stay, in la casa..all feminine words. And where does her husband go while she cleans and takes care of their children? A trabajo..a masculine word. From Catholicism we get praise for the feminine ideal, and from Muslim religion, we get the sense of machismo.
Whats so great about this course is that you are required to speak in Spanish, and I think this was implemented not just as a learning tool for students, but to show respect to the people that live here. If you travel to a foreign country, you should speak their language. However, I cant stand it when my Republican friends bark out that Latinos should learn English. If two cultures coexist like it does in the United States, we shouldnt demand that Latinos assimilate into our culture, because what happens is that their culture is lost, and this is why I believe many of my friends parents refuse to learn English..because they see their children becoming Americanized and they lose sight of their traditional values. So for clarification, Id like to define the following
Assimilate- to make similar b: to alter by assimilation c: to absorb into the culture or mores of a population or group
enculturate- the process by which an individual learns the traditional content of a culture and assimilates its practices and value
acculturation-cultural modification of an individual, group, or people by adapting to or borrowing traits from another culture ; also : a merging of cultures as a result of prolonged contact

In the United States, we should begin the process of acculturation, because this way neither culture is refusing change because they believe their own is superior, and one culture isnt completely becoming similar to the other. When I was in high school, my french teacher told me that she knew french, spanish, and italian, which would make sense because they all come from latin but she also learned german from when France was occupied by Germany during the war. Why should only the Latinos learn English? Why dont more people learn Spanish? Why should it go only one way? We´re all immigrants, unless your heritage is Native American.