Puritan Influence

I believe there are some aspects of Puritan society that are still beliefs that a part of our society stills believes and follows.  In Massachusetts in 1649 the Colony implemented certain rules that required parents to teach, and children to accept.  If a child older than 16 years of age would curse, or smite their parents they would be put to death.  Now there are less severe consequences.  The consequences are chosen by the parents unless it becomes necessary to involve the government if harm comes to the parents or child.  While disrespecting one's parents is looked down upon and can result in punishment it isn't as grave as death. 
In the Puritan time a child was to accept what there parents say and that is still the belief.  A child is EXPECTED to listen or accept what there parents are saying however today's youth is more able to express their feelings without the penalty of death.
Another lingering idea that shows that we are still in touch with our Puritan backgrounds is our opinion on adultery.  As portrayed in Nathaniel Hawthorne's book the Scarlet Letter adultery was a serious crime that almost always resulted in death except for Hester whe was rather killed socially.  Adultery was a crime in Puritan society and in some states it's still considered a crime.
Puritan morals and society influenced modern society in various ways from the boundaries of marriage to education.

American, Mexican, or Mexican American?

There was a time where I was really confused of what nationality I was.  When I went to Mexico on vacation some family members and people living made it clear that I was not like them I was known as a gringa.  Here I wasn't considered American.  I was considered the typical American because my parents were born in Mexico.  I figured I must be somewhere in the middle of Mexico and America kind of like living on the border.  I imagined myself with one foot in Mexico and another here.  Just now I realize what nationality I am.
The way I think about it is that I'm Mexican American.  I can't deny it because every time I look in the mirror I have long dark hair, eyes, and skin.  I look like my mom in almost all her features which are Mexican.  On the other hand I grew up in Chicago so I grew up with the music, culture, and food of America.  But I also grew up with the food, culture, and food of Mexico.  I'm Mexican American because I'm not completely one thing or the other but because I'm a mix of both of them.  There was a time where I thought that the only true American was white because those were the ones who were called gringos .  However there are many Americans, Native American, Chinese American, African American, Mexican American, and those who are considered white are of European descent being Italian American, Irish American, Polish American, and others.
We're all Americans because we have one thing in common we live in America we are here because we believe that there is something offered here that we can't find or are unable to attain where we came from.

Agnostic or Catholic?

Humans can be really agressive when it comes to three topics where every person has their own views politics, sports, and possibly the most important one religion.  I have only experienced the conflict of religion.  I was forced to go to Catholic school on saturdays in order to get my confirmation only because my mom wanted a quinceanera (which I didn't want) I didn't enjoy it.  Me and my brothers didn't go to church or know the commandments we didn't even have our first confirmation so when my mother put us in saturday school for something as trivial like a party we weren't fond of the idea.  Ideas were foced upon us and according to the teachers we weren't supposed to question it we were supposed to simply accept it.  The teachers were very closed off to any other religions and believed that the Catholic religion was the only right and true religion.  I became angered at how closed off they were to other religions dismissing them as wrong.

I think that when we change we grow so I feel that if we don't question things we will never learn more.  I had a very bad experience where I was basically forced to confirm and accept the Catholic religion when I clearly questioned it and didn't accept it.  I however spoke what I belived in a place where religion was basis of life.  My comments affected them so much that they even mentioned me in mass saying that the youth of today have no faith and I was repeatedly talked to by people trying to convert me or bring me to god.  I don't have any problem with what people believe it's when they involve the people around them without their consent and try to force their beliefs unto others that I have a problem with it.  I feel that these type of conflicts with conflicting beliefs can result in death.  It isn't a matter of changing people but accepting them and their beliefs regardless as to whether or not you agree with them.  I got lucky because there was a sense of understanding.  This is not meant to offend anyone, this is my opinion based on my experiences.  I am concious that not all people in the church are like the people I met but I have yet to meet them.