I believe that it is worthwhile to fight to preserve your cultural heritage. So many times I see people with hispanic heritage that don't know how to speak spanish. This angers me. It feels like the parents didn't think it was worthwhile to pass on valuable cultural heritage. Something as simple yet rich to pass on to your children is language. It is so simple for children to learn it, too. And one day the parents will realize (and I know it happens) they should have taken the time to teach their kids a different language than what will be taught at school.
I think the best way to relate with other people with a different cultural heritage is by trying to communicate and really understand what their culture is like. The absolute best way to learn about other people and their cultural heritage is to actually take a quick visit to their country of origin. Once you are immersed in the culture and the language, it will be so much easier to learn the different language and understand the other person better. If you wonder why your friend can't drive a car, you might learn that people from his/her home country actually get around town on a bike. Going to other countries is also a great way to make the culture and history really come alive. Instead of reading about in History textbooks or buying Rosetta Stone to learn another language, you can personally witness what the people in the country are like and how the country came to be that way.
-Vicki 2013
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