How To Celebrate Both Cultures in Your Home

Written By: Ambreia Meadows - Fernandez

We discuss families as if they’re all the same, but there are often as many differences between two people in one family as there are between two families. Many of us come from blended families with two or more cultures. The more we embrace the layered traditions that create the tapestry of our families, the better we can connect with who we are and with others.

Break the Binary

Celebrating both cultures in your home begins with an active decision to incorporate the influences that make you and your co-parent who you are today. It won’t always be easy, but seeing your children as the blend they are—of both you and your cultural traditions—will feel worth it.

You model this choice each day by teaching your kids to push back against the binaries that say they must choose one set of their culture over the other. For example, if your family has Black and Mexican American influences, it’s okay to celebrate Halloween AND the rich history of Dia de los Muertos and set up an ofrenda. Teach the languages, dances, origin stories, and recipes of all the cultures, knowing that each has contributed to your family’s identity.

Embrace the Overlaps

We often focus on the differences between cultures and overlook the similarities. Many cultures have traditions with common roots. For instance, Carnival is celebrated in various countries worldwide. Similarly, dances, meals, and folklore often reveal strong connections across the diaspora. Embracing these overlaps allows us to see that cultures can blend beautifully between different populations.

Teach them to Self-Define.

It’s likely that others will try to define what celebrating your individual customs looks like. Naturally, opinions on blending multiple cultures might be even louder. But the beauty of this journey is that we have the opportunity to self-define—not only who we are but also the elements of our culture we wish to uplift and celebrate. We can redefine our customs to embrace the beauty and impact of blended cultures. Spend time with your family to decide which elements of culture are most important to you.

Lead with Values

Whether we realize it or not, many of us appreciate aspects of our culture because they reflect our values. Instead of getting caught up in the details, some families might find it easier to identify the values underlying the celebrations we observe. Often, Black and other people of culture find that creativity, a love of life, and compassion are core elements of who we are.

Find the traditions that work for you; if something seems to be missing, it’s okay to create new ones.