"I am trying to make my accent so it won't bother anyone, but I am not going to drive myself crazy trying to pretend I am an American girl when I am from Colombia"

This quote by Shakira speaks with the value of accepting one's cultural identity. She is expressing her desire to be accepted by others, while also acknowledging that she can not alter who she is. She is willing to make an effort to adjust her accent so that it does not trouble anyone, however she is not ready to go to the extreme of pretending to be someone she is not. This quote is a suggestion that we must all be proud of our cultural backgrounds and not repent of our distinctions. It is very important to recognize that we are all unique and that our distinctions must be celebrated, not hidden. Shakira's quote is an effective reminder that we ought to all make every effort to be real to ourselves and not be afraid to welcome our cultural identities.