Author: Deisy Contreras

Egyptian Identity

• Nile River
  • The Nile River is a fundamental element of Egyptian culture. It is the center of ancient religion as well as the main source of life for the Egyptians. In ancient times, the Nile River was what determined the lives of the people, if the Gods were mad at the people, the river would show this by flooding or even causing droughts in the land. But even in modern times, the Egyptian people rely on it for water, trade, and transportation. 

• Hieroglyphics
  • Hieroglyphics are one of the oldest forms of knowledge for Egypt and the world. Egypt has one of the richest known histories because of the early forms of writing that were discovered. Although it is not yet fully deciphered, it has been a great insight into the past of human history and has intrigued many scholars into discovering more about Egypt.

• Egyptian gods and goddesses
  • The idea that there can be death after death is sort of terrifying. Egyptians believed that they would have to put their heart to trial against a feather. It is interesting how the heart is seen as the center for emotions and where people think. What would happen if the Egyptian gods ate the people’s hearts? Would they just cease to exist, would they go to an underworld? Although the current major religion of Egypt is Islam, I am sure there remain a culture and influence from gods and goddesses such as Anubis and Osiris. It is also important to note how Christianity and Egyptian religion influence one another and how they relate.

• The ruling of different pharaohs
  • Pharaohs were the first form of government for the Egyptian people. They made the laws and ordered the religion that was acceptable to the people. Also, they were seen as sons of the gods, immortal, and able to speak with them. Modern Egyptian have moved away from this polytheist belief and into Islam. But the history and influence polytheism had on Egyptians influenced the everyday life of the people as well as the interactions they had with their government.

• Alexander the Great conquers Egypt
  • The Persians began to take over much of Egypt. Alexander the Great’s major goal for Egypt was to set up trade networks in and out of Egypt. He was able to blend much of the Greek and Egyptian culture to make the assimilation between both powers easier. He was the man who set up one of the most powerful and lived in cities in Egypt, Alexandria. Alexandria is still a major city in Egypt today and is a major source of money and trade to this day.

• Cleo Patra
  • Although many other pharaohs have done so much more for Egypt, there is one that is well known everywhere, Cleo Patra. In the modern-day, Cleo Patra is an iconic character written in hundreds of books and movies all over the world. This has a great influence on the way Egypt is portrayed even in modern times. She is often depicted as a voluptuous, beautiful woman that uses her charm to seduce all men.

• Napoleon Bonaparte
  • Bonaparte had a great influence on the relationships between countries, the culture of Egypt, and the relationship between the government and people. He encouraged trade with Egypt which would allow the economy to flourish. He was able to bring a French perspective to Egypt regarding fashion and other ways of culture. Also, he brought ideas like “free until proven guilty” to the government at the time. Although he only stayed in Egypt for a few years and did not succeed in conquering the land, he left a mark on the trajectory of the government and how the people felt about foreign nations taking rule over it.

• The Islamic conquest of Egypt
  • In the early 640 BCE, most Egyptians were Coptic and believed that God was one. Amr ibn al-As was appointed as military commander of the Islamic army to conquer Egypt. Possession of Egypt would strengthen the power of the Muslims. Islam had had a great influence in Egypt as it remains the major religion of the Egyptian people right now.

• Suez canal
  • Another conflict was between Egypt and Israel regarding the Suez canal. Built-in 1859, the Suez canal allowed easy trade between the Mediterranean and Red sea. It was a great economic source for Egypt and caused great conflict between Israel and Egypt. Later on, Egypt had closed the canal which leads to Israel( with the help of French and British forces) invading it and later leaving due to US pressure.

• Caliphates
  • The Fatimid caliph Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah was one of the caliphs that in a way began the crusades. He orders his people to burn and destroy the religious buildings of other religions. Although he didn’t lose any territory under his ruling, there was much unrest and many mobs of the Sunni community. According to sources, he was contributed to education by creating the Dar al-Hikma. It would educate people about the Quran and Hadith. During his reign we see the rise of a new religion, the Druze movement began. Because of his desire to increase the Islamic religion and the movement towards destroying other religious buildings, we see how these actions held a grudge in the beginnings of the crusades.

• Egypt v. Israel
  • Egypt did not recognize Israel as a state until 1979. Egypt joined forces with the Arabs to take down Israel during the first Arab-Israeli war. In 1953, another conflict was between Egypt and Israel regarding the Suez canal. The war of 1967 resulted from Israel seizing control of the territories of the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and the Golan Heights among others. In the modern-day, we see that both are in this state of “cold peace,” with tolerance but not acceptance.

• WW2 in Egypt
  • Egypt entered the cold war during Project FF. King Farok was pressured into accepting progressive reforms, which he opposed at first but had to accept. After a coup to take over Egypt an anticommunist regime was created. Later Egypt was created into a Republic which still stands until now.

My Identity

• Constitution
  • The United States has greatly been shaped by the constitution. Even to this day, people are following and creating laws based on the constitution. It is a huge marker in our history that signifies the independence of America. People even now celebrate July 4th, to commemorate the date and it is a subject taught in every class in America.

• Civil War
  • The Civil War has shaped the way people of color interact with one another and how America views itself. It was a major step for America to become more racially united and has greatly influenced the society we live in today. Although there is much more progress that we have to make as a society, it was a step towards racial equality and the progression of the American identity.

• American Culture
  • My American identity is also very important for me considering I have been raised in the U.S. my whole life. I went to school, learned English, and have most of my friends and family here. As a result, living in America and American culture is a big part of my life and identity.

• Mexican Culture
  • As a Mexican American woman, Mexican culture is one of the biggest and most important aspects of myself. Although I wasn’t raised in Mexico, my family has raised me with things like Dia De Los Muertos and Tamales at Christmas. I grew up learning and speaking Spanish in my house and it is just a very important part of my life.

• 9/11
  • The fall of the twin towers was one of the most devastating things to happen to the U.S. It has greatly shaped how we interact with other countries and the ways that people in this country interact with each other. While it is a great opportunity to show this nationalism for America, it has also caused certain negative sentiments towards people of color especially those from the middle east. It has caused a difficult relationship with people of color and I have also seen the effect of such negative events on the people around me.

• Barack Obama
  • The Obama presidency was a big shift in the history of America. Although there is still so much to work towards in the American society regarding race and inequality, it was an opportunity for people of color to be represented in our government. His election is something that will be talked about for many years to come and a moment in history that has shaped the American identity.

• Catholicism
  • I have been raised in a Catholic family meaning that I attend mass almost every Sunday. Since I can remember, I would be in the church pews with my family praying and having mass. Although I am not as religious as my family is, I know that certain beliefs are still represented in the core of my identity.

• Juan Diego
  • St. Juan Diego is one of the major saints in the Mexican culture. I have realized that in my church we do not celebrate the appearance of Mary, but in my Mexican household, it is a very big deal. On this day, the may family holds a big celebration and meal to commemorate the occasion. It is a celebration that I look forward to each year( except for 2020) because it is a chance for my whole family to come together.

• Corona Virus
  • The pandemic has greatly affected people all around the world. But in the point of view of a college student, it has affected my own college experience and the health of the people around me. It is something that will be talked about for years coming forward and might influence how the next couple of years might look like. As a result, this generation, in particular, will remember the day of fighting for toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and the idea of quarantine.

• Black Live Matter
  • From the Civil Rights movent to now, many Americans continue to fight for racial equality. It is still a work in progress and with the increasing growth of the internet, we are seeing more support for these movements. BLM is an ongoing movement that will shape the future of the U.S. especially since this social movement occurred in the middle of the pandemic.

 

• Mexican Music
  • Mexican Music is a major part of my identity, it is what connects me with my family in Mexico and the States. From Mariachi to reggaeton and bachata, there is no other music that makes me want to dance as much as this one does. A major part of my identity, it is what connects me to the culture that I follow yet did not fully experience considering I lived in the States for most of my life.

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• Colorado 
  • While living in the U.S., I have grown up in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It is a beautiful state with mountains and snow for almost half of the year. I have noticed the population growth and the growth of the city.