Being the daughter of immigrants, I have aways been very aware of my surroundings and “my place”. Spanish was spoken in my home so we wouldn’t forget, and English was the language I needed outside our home to get my foot in the door. I wasn’t aware of stories or anti-immigrant feelings many people have experienced until I got to college. But by then, it was a crash course that overwhelmed me. Part of me was thankful that I had been so unaware, and the other part of me felt silly for not recognizing any of it throughout my 17 years of life.

I grew up in the heart of Los Angeles. Culture blossomed from every corner. The different smells of Latin American foods, enveloped our neighborhood, along with traditional American foods. The distinction between immigrants and natives wasn’t clear to me, as I had an understanding that everyone had roots, whether they had been grounded on American soil for generations or just beginning to sprout, was the only difference I made. But at Cal, the differences were announced through what felt like a megaphone. The othering came, and then it was obvious. It was everywhere.

I actively have to fight off these second class citizen thoughts, and it may have been my own insecurities, but I wonder how many children of immigrants feel the same way. As with anything, I want to change this story without being ignorant of its existence. Can it be done? Can we be aware of our differences, and yet stand tall without having to fight for an equal space at the table? Everyone’s answer to this will be wildly different, but I am choosing and have chosen for a while, to hang on to the promises made upon my life. I am not going to pray for change to come, I am going to be the change. It will come through my actions, through my children’s actions, and their children. It has to start somewhere,and we don’t only owe it to our parents who gave it all up for us, we owe it to America. She who has taken us in, loved us equally, and has only asked that we make her better.

A note to my constant readers: Thank you for reading all my posts. I do realize I jump from one heavy topic to another, and then a super light one. Time and time again, I have tried to narrow my blog posts to a specific niche, but have come to realize, that’s just not for me. Thank you for sticking with me.

XO