About the Project
If you’re looking for a vivid cultural experience, you may not have to look further than the state of Arizona, especially the city of Phoenix and its surrounding areas. Although Arizona lies in the Sonoran Desert in the southwestern United States, it has become home to a wide variety of customs and products of cultures originating from different parts of the world. Those who come from immigrant families or emigrated to Arizona on their own can find pieces of their cultures in the United States and relish in them alongside others of the same culture. Simultaneously, Arizonans can be introduced to different cultural practices and ideas right here. Broadly, some of the cultures present in Arizona include African culture, Asian culture, and European culture, although these categories also include a wide variety of different subcultures.
Around 7.6 percent of Arizona’s population is made up of Black or African American people, 3 percent of whom were born in Africa, according to statistics provided by the Migration Policy Institute. Although they take up very little of Arizona’s population, Black and African American culture is thriving. Examples of African culture can be found all throughout the valley, whether they be in dance, music, art, clothing, food or religion. For example, the Kawambe-Omowale African Drum and Dance theatre holds a class every weekend that teaches anyone who is willing to learn many different styles of African dance. There are many other examples of African culture in Arizona; one just has to be willing to find them.
About 2.1 million Hispanics reside in Arizona, making it the sixth largest Hispanic/Latino population in the nation. This group contributes to many things with their history, culture, and language. They come from diverse social, economic, and geographic backgrounds, making them all different depending on their family heritage and national origin; however, their cultural similarities tend to bring these diverse backgrounds together, especially in the Phoenix area. One thing that brings them together is the Spanish language. Hispanic families often teach their children Spanish as a way to pass down their culture. Religion also plays an important role in their culture, with the majority of this group identifying as Catholic.This relates to celebrations like the Day of the Dead where they honor loved ones who have passed away. During this celebration, people fill their surroundings with vibrant colors and music, as well as unique food. Some of the typical food items prepared by this group are tortillas, tamales, and menudo; all of this has become a part of this state. We are able to learn how much the Hispanic/Latino culture contributes to in Arizona through the restaurants, churches, and museums all around the valley.
Additionally, there are roughly 82,000 Europeans residing in this sunny state. They make up 9 percent of “foreign born” residents, according to the Migration Policy Institute. “Foreign born” refers to people who were not U.S citizens at birth, but were residing in the U.S. when census data were provided. This could include those who have green cards and have come here for work, those seeking asylum (refugees), and people with temporary visas, such as students. All of this creates a rich and diverse culture in the middle of the desert. Though the European population in Arizona has decreased significantly since the 90’s, there is still many people and opportunities residing in the Phoenix to give The Valley a romantic twist. Anything from cultural centers, shops and restaurants are all available to give Arizonans a deeper look into the rich European community.
Finally, Asian culture manifests itself in Arizona in a variety of ways. For example, cultural events that celebrate Indian culture or museum exhibits that showcase East Asian art can bring Asian culture closer to the residents of Phoenix while serving as a source of familiarity and connection for those of Asian heritage. Additionally, a wide variety of restaurants in Phoenix specialize in foods originating from various Asian cultures, bringing Asian culture to everyone’s plates. According to data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau, Asians make up 3.1% of Arizona’s total population as of July 2016. While this may seem small, Arizona’s Asian population has more than doubled since 2000, and Arizona is one of the top states in the country for Asian population growth. Thus, Asian culture is continuing to develop and expand its presence in the Valley.
Although the concept of “culture” is quite broad and difficult to define, it manifests itself in a host of ways; for example, culture can be expressed and shared through food, art, philosophy, or just about anything else. The presence of a wide variety of cultures in Phoenix both ensures their preservation away from home and contributes to the diversity and dimension of the desert.
Around 7.6 percent of Arizona’s population is made up of Black or African American people, 3 percent of whom were born in Africa, according to statistics provided by the Migration Policy Institute. Although they take up very little of Arizona’s population, Black and African American culture is thriving. Examples of African culture can be found all throughout the valley, whether they be in dance, music, art, clothing, food or religion. For example, the Kawambe-Omowale African Drum and Dance theatre holds a class every weekend that teaches anyone who is willing to learn many different styles of African dance. There are many other examples of African culture in Arizona; one just has to be willing to find them.
About 2.1 million Hispanics reside in Arizona, making it the sixth largest Hispanic/Latino population in the nation. This group contributes to many things with their history, culture, and language. They come from diverse social, economic, and geographic backgrounds, making them all different depending on their family heritage and national origin; however, their cultural similarities tend to bring these diverse backgrounds together, especially in the Phoenix area. One thing that brings them together is the Spanish language. Hispanic families often teach their children Spanish as a way to pass down their culture. Religion also plays an important role in their culture, with the majority of this group identifying as Catholic.This relates to celebrations like the Day of the Dead where they honor loved ones who have passed away. During this celebration, people fill their surroundings with vibrant colors and music, as well as unique food. Some of the typical food items prepared by this group are tortillas, tamales, and menudo; all of this has become a part of this state. We are able to learn how much the Hispanic/Latino culture contributes to in Arizona through the restaurants, churches, and museums all around the valley.
Additionally, there are roughly 82,000 Europeans residing in this sunny state. They make up 9 percent of “foreign born” residents, according to the Migration Policy Institute. “Foreign born” refers to people who were not U.S citizens at birth, but were residing in the U.S. when census data were provided. This could include those who have green cards and have come here for work, those seeking asylum (refugees), and people with temporary visas, such as students. All of this creates a rich and diverse culture in the middle of the desert. Though the European population in Arizona has decreased significantly since the 90’s, there is still many people and opportunities residing in the Phoenix to give The Valley a romantic twist. Anything from cultural centers, shops and restaurants are all available to give Arizonans a deeper look into the rich European community.
Finally, Asian culture manifests itself in Arizona in a variety of ways. For example, cultural events that celebrate Indian culture or museum exhibits that showcase East Asian art can bring Asian culture closer to the residents of Phoenix while serving as a source of familiarity and connection for those of Asian heritage. Additionally, a wide variety of restaurants in Phoenix specialize in foods originating from various Asian cultures, bringing Asian culture to everyone’s plates. According to data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau, Asians make up 3.1% of Arizona’s total population as of July 2016. While this may seem small, Arizona’s Asian population has more than doubled since 2000, and Arizona is one of the top states in the country for Asian population growth. Thus, Asian culture is continuing to develop and expand its presence in the Valley.
Although the concept of “culture” is quite broad and difficult to define, it manifests itself in a host of ways; for example, culture can be expressed and shared through food, art, philosophy, or just about anything else. The presence of a wide variety of cultures in Phoenix both ensures their preservation away from home and contributes to the diversity and dimension of the desert.
About the Creators
Ariel Salk
Ariel is a Journalism major at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. She is in her junior year of the program and is enjoying every moment of it. When she graduates her dream is to report on global politics as a foreign correspondent.
You can see more of Ariel's work and contact her directly through her website. arielsalk.weebly.com/ |
Vandana Ravikumar
Vandana is a Journalism major at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. She is currently in her sophomore year. She has a passion for social justice and hopes to eventually produce a documentary series of her own.
vandanaravikumar.weebly.com/ |
Caitlyn Lemle
Caitlyn is a Junior at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. She is majoring in Sports Journalism and has a minor in African American Studies. In the future she hopes to break into the male dominated field of Sports Journalism by becoming a sideline reporter for a major sports network.
caitlynlemle.weebly.com/ |
Karina Espinoza
Karina is a sophomore at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. She chose to major in Broadcast journalism because she wants to get to know individuals’ at a deeper level and be able to make a difference with their unique stories. Day by day she realizes how much this profession means to her and has so much passion to be a part of it. When she graduates her dream is to be a reporter who covers immigration and border issues.
karinaespinozarios.weebly.com/ |