My name is Preston Alexander Filemon. I speak multiple languages, have experienced a lot of different cuisines and view life differently than most. The reason behind this is because I am Haitian-American. These are some of the reasons why I am unique! Both of my parents were born in Haiti and because of that, I have a different experience than most of my classmates.
I am culturally diverse when it comes to food. My grandfather was one of the greatest French chefs in Haiti during his time. My grandmother also went to culinary school. Because of this, my mom is a very good cook and makes a melting pot of meals consisting of African, Haitian and French cuisine. A specific example is that for lunch last week, I ate sos pwa (black bean sauce/soup), legumes (mixture of vegetables), and white rice. These meals are common in Haiti and a lot of countries in the carribean and Africa. Another way this makes me special is that I’m not only able to just speak English, but also Hatian-Creole. While most other kids only speak English at home, my family speaks two languages, 2.5 if I count some of the French my parents remember. If it’s true that learning multiple languages makes you smarter, then I’m definitely smart! I celebrate my difference by being proud of my heritage everyday. My parents make sure we know where we come from and why it is important to never forget why our heritage makes us who we are today as a family. I also like sharing this information with others. When my school has “International Night ” each year, my family and I bring food from my culture and share the great history of Haiti and its culture with my schoolmates and their families. Everyone always enjoys our table.
In conclusion, I want those who read this essay to know that being Hatian-American in America is very special. Knowing the history of different cultures and not just that of those living in the United States helps me to understand others better. Being able to speak mutiple languages, eat amazing foods, and experience the world in two cultures is the icing on the cake! Life for me is exciting and I wish others could experience it as well.
