Preview

The Concept Of Being Mexican-American

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
596 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
The Concept Of Being Mexican-American
When I was younger I never really fully grasped the concept of being Mexican-American. When my mom would ask me, “What are you?” I would simply reply, “I’m white.” Thankfully, over the years, I have come to fully understand my heritage and appreciate the culture that is immersed with being Latino. My dad was fifteen years when he did something I can never even imagine about doing; he crossed the border. He sacrificed so much in order to live a better life, without him I would not be writing this essay right now. My mother is a first generation Mexican-American, like myself, and also experienced the affects of her parents wanting more for their family. Fortunately for us, our family has strived in today’s society and would not be where we are without hardwork and dedication. …show more content…
At the time I had no idea this move would impact me in such a large way. I live in Exeter, a small town in eastern Pennsylvania where most of the residents are white. Growing up one of the only colored families on the block was difficult, but the most difficult part for me was going to a predominantly white school. I am possibly only one of three Mexican-Americans in my entire school. I would consider myself as a kind person, but even the nicest colored person faces racism no matter what the circumstances, with that said, I did face racist comments and microaggressions at times. I remember two instances that affected me severely; two instances in which I will never forget how I felt and the words that I will never get out of my

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Growing up I excelled in every educational aspect of school. However the stereotype for someone of my skin color did not allow for me to be both Mexican and smart. My Hispanic peers began to exclude me; the most common way they did that was by taking away my identity as a Mexican. I heard “Diego you white” an uncountable number of times throughout my schooling. I noticed that my grades and vocabulary would trigger that comment so I began to change the way I acted in order to fit in. It was not until recently that I realized the fault in changing and found a peaceful merge between the two speech communities.…

    • 957 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    As the Spanish started to settle the colony of New Spain, they needed a large workforce to cater to the ever growing demands of the agricultural environment and general household. The Spanish started to bring Africans to Mexico to fill the labor demand, but in doing so they started to create a new population demographic which would become the majority rather than the minority. Yet, Afro-Mexicans would remain a minority compared to the superior Spanish based on discourses of control and subordination. Africans in Colonial Mexico takes the study of African Diaspora to a new level by examining the creation of the “Afro-Mexican” identity through creolization and community development form those who first came to the colonies to their descendents. Instead of developing an identity through the institution of slavery, Africans built a hybrid identity by incorporating aspects of Spanish culture into their lives. Clear examples, ranging from population demographic to conversions of Christianity, developing communities and cultural shifts demonstrate how Africans worked from within system to create their own identity.…

    • 529 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the article “Jackie Rayos-Garcia Tells About the Deportation of Her Mother, Guadalupe García de Rayos” it tells the story of a family getting torn apart and not knowing whether or not they’ll ever see each other once again. It is an amazing story, telling the readers how hard it can be to lose a parent at a young age. The struggles one faces for being an immigrant is such a touching story, and the fear immigrants face everyday in their lives trying to hide where they come from and what they are afraid…

    • 719 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    On my father’s side, I was also different. I listened to Spanish music and wasn’t a die hard rock and roll fan. I preferred foods with more spices as opposed to plain salted soup and salad. I spoke about my experiences with the mexican side of my family and got an awkward eye. My uncle, who I have known forever, who has come to birthdays and christmas with my family is a flaming racist towards Mexicans. He uses hate language, and accuses them of crimes, knowing all the while that his nephews are half Mexican. My own grandmother wouldn’t talk to me for 8 years because I was a biracial baby, because she thought I was “Dirty”. I was different, I was accepted as a cousin, a nephew, eventually even a grandson, but I never wanted to choose this side over my other. I couldn’t choose one side of myself over the…

    • 727 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    At the age of seven, I escaped the poverty-stricken neighborhood of Paterson, New Jersey because my parents’ priority was their children’s education. So when we moved to Georgia, I was thankful to have a yard, house, even my own room, but each blessing has a curse. Each day I realized why my mother worked at subway, why my father worked at a warehouse, why my mother had to walk 3 ½ miles every day, to and from work, in hot and cold, why my father grew anxious at the sight of a police, why my family could barely travel anywhere, even Atlanta...they were illegal immigrants. Being an anchor baby, I appreciated all the efforts my parents made, like driving me to school early, tutoring, and providing me with their love and support. Years later with the stricter immigration laws, my father got laid when I was in 10th grade and we soon grew very tight on money. Thankful a year…

    • 1177 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    It helped me realize and analyze a different culture. In Ruben Martinez, Crossing Over the book tells about how life is in Mexico and how their tradition are different from the US. The migrants who are in US are creating a new Hispanic-influenced culture that is histrionically altering both Mexico and the US. Martinez makes a claim that tradition culture has not disappear. I agree because we have many different cultures in the US. I will prove this by exploring Mexican-American culture.…

    • 98 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    My parents are the hardest working individuals I know. Both, my mom and my dad, made and continue to make sacrifices to this day. It all started about 5 years ago. My Dad moved to San Diego to acquire more income for me and my family, leaving my mother with 3 children. This was a very difficult time for each of us, but I would like to think for my Dad even more. Coming from a small island, Guam, he had to adapt to this whole new culture in Southern California, by himself. He had to work, eat, sleep by himself and make time out of his day to talk to his kids. This was an emotional time for him too because I know after a couple years without seeing your kids, life…

    • 677 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Once we arrived to Illinois we went by 26st. There my father was waiting for us outside with my cousins and aunt. The first thing I did was reach for my father. Our first few weeks in Chicago were a bit lunatic. By saying that the next day after we arrived my sister and I went to the store and a shoot broke out. My mom came into the store running to pick us up. I honestly was scared of my new home. Once school started I started to have a bit of comfort in the neighborhood. Once I went to school it hit me that I was not anymore in Mexico, for I saw a lot of diversity. From black to white, to brown people I saw and I meet. I only saw white people on TV who were another ethic than me. During kinder I learned to read, count, and learn a new language…

    • 164 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The year I turned six, my mom decided to migrate to Mexico. However, she was not able bring my one year old sister along. While my little sister stayed with my grandparents, my mom and I flied out to Mexico. I still remember the feeling in my stomach the moment I stepped out of that airport. I was an ocean away from my hometown. My first day of school was chaos. Everyone in the school was speaking in Spanish. I did not understand the customs and mannerisms. It was difficult to not feel as an outcast. The most complicated part was expressing my feelings, and my needs to the teachers. I lived in Mexico, Tijuana for six years, after becoming adapted to the environment, my mom came home one day and told me that we are moving to the United States.…

    • 194 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    I was born here in the United States, however my mom is from Guatemala and my dad is from Mexico. Hearing these kinds of stereotypes can be offensive and sometimes even hurtful to me coming from a Mexican background. Years ago my parents had illegally crossed the border from Mexico into the United States by trying to escape from all of the drug trafficking and terrible living conditions that were going on in their countries. It wasn’t easy for them to find a job here since hardly any company would hire an illegal immigrant. After a long time of searching, my dad finally found a job working as a painter at some fancy apartments, and my mom as a housekeeper. Both my parents work hard for what little they earn. Sadly neither of them finished graduating high school due to lack of money. Now it is up to me to make a difference and be the first in my family’s generation to graduate high school and college and live a successful life.…

    • 381 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Mexico Personal Narrative

    • 1198 Words
    • 5 Pages

    At the age of two my parents made the long and devastating journey to bring me and my siblings to the United States from Mexico. They sought for a brighter and better future for us and fought tooth and nail to give us the world they didn’t have growing up. Ever since I had stepped foot on U.S soil I never had the chance to go back. The sacrifices that permitted me to be able to attend school for free and giving me a better head start than I would’ve had if we’d stayed couldn’t mask the effects of the move. I didn’t grow up being enriched by the colorful culture that Mexico has, I missed out on the opportunity to share moments with my family from abroad, and fought the struggle of trying to blend in, in an environment that was so different…

    • 1198 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    An anonymous author wrote “Our culture, our traditions, our language are the foundations upon which we build our identity.” This brings out what Tanya Maria Barrientos argues throughout her essay, “Se Habla Español.” She struggled to identify herself as Latino and embracing her Spanish heritage. So at a young age, she decided to step away from America’s stereotypical view of Latin’s and embrace what she thought was the correct way to live. One main thing she didn’t want was to be able to speak Spanish, because she thought people would automatically judge her. Like Barrientos, I how was raised had a lot to do with my identity and how I perceived myself and the world.…

    • 682 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    My Immigrant Father

    • 184 Words
    • 1 Page

    Immediately after reading this quote, all I could visualize was the discomfort and hard work my dad has consumed. Although he wasn’t born in America, the dedication he has accomplished to reach the American Dream has been a journey I have witnessed. Having been born in America was just a head start to my own journey. Working hard for a better future is something that has been ingrained in me by my immigrant father. As a young child, I witnessed my father’s tireless work ethic and drive to accomplish his goals of becoming a proud and productive American citizen. My favorite childhood memory was when he was granted his American citizenship, it was then I realized it does not matter who you are or where you come from. This quote does not only…

    • 184 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Hispanic Culture

    • 504 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Categorized as Hispanic means to many as someone who is able to communicate though the Spanish language, but being Hispanic is more than just that. The roots that engrave our way of carrying out our lifestyle, the family bond that ties down the heavy love of unity, and the force my volition to prosper is what incises the beauty of being part of the society we hope to flourish…

    • 504 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Cultural Speech

    • 451 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Cruz Maria Velazquez is 72 years old and she is my maternal grandmother. My grandmother comes from a family of 12 children. She grew up in poverty and had to drop out of school in the third grade to help bring money into the home. She was growing up in her hometown of Ponce, Puerto Rico and had to take a job in the home of a doctor living in San Juan, Puerto Rico. There is a distance of 1 hour and a half of travel, which she did by bus. My grandmother had to leave her family at the age of 9 years old to become a live in nanny. She had to care for two small children, wash and iron clothes, clean the house and cook. Her sister Nati, had to do the same thing not far from where my grandmother was…and she was only 8!!! My grandmother shared that when she would write letters to her mom, she would cry and tell her that she wanted to come home. Her mom would tell her, to stop crying and that she had to stay and work. This was very difficult for my grandmother to do as a child. It affected how she had relationships with her own children. She didn’t know how to be affectionate and just give a hug. It affected in many other ways, except in the area of work. She was always a hard worker, due to her hard upbringing.…

    • 451 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays