Different Shapes

I am who I am because of the neighborhood I live in. I live in Daly City where it is predominately Filipino, however I don't follow what some see as the stereotypes for most Filipinos. I like to see myself as an individual or an outsider and it was a process I had to work on since graduating high school. By that time of graduating I wasn't happy with the results of my reputation. I didn't feel like I was myself during my time there. Just in the hallways of my high school you could see what the culture of my neighborhood was and still is about: During passing period the loud basses of the latest bay area rap song echoing in the hallway, during lunch teens would collect in a large group with each having a chance at a freestyle battle, and after school you would catch another group of teens but this time putting together some hip-hop dance choreography. Our little city is highly influenced by hip-hop and that wasn't me I tried being part of that community but couldn't rap, i couldn't dance, although I did try playing music from my bag pack in the hallway but I felt awkward so it was short lived. I've completely turned a 180 from trying to be that kind of person. Just observing everyone around me it felt I developed this mentality where I thought "everyone looks the same, I want to be different." Although I say I feel like a total individual I find myself embracing another part of my neighborhood I never truly looked at until recently, and that is the Filipino culture side of it. I find all sorts of events; celebrating all things Filipino just a few blocks away from my house. This is something I can get behind and I have learned so much of my culture and made new friends because of it.So is a person shaped by his neighborhood? Yes, if you stay there long enough sooner or later you will become part of something.