The term “family’ can hold a varying amount of significance and meaning to each of us. Personally, the term symbolizes the strong bond that I hold within my immediate and extended family and will continue to hold for as long as possible. My father migrated to this country to present his future family with opportunities that citizens are guaranteed, and for that, I am forever grateful. What my family has taught and given me is immense and irreplaceable. The love and support that I received as a child, it has aided me in the path on which I am currently on.
Our identities are comprised of diverse factors. These may include our national origin, ethnic origin, religion, race, and even nationality. My father was born and raised in Jalisco, Mexico on a ranch named Ojo De Agua. He grew up in a household of 11 members, the males tending to the farm (manual labor) and the females to the house (cleaning/cooking, etc). My mother was born in Reedley, California to Mexican parents and lived in a farming community. She grew up in a traditional Mexican household as my father did, just more Americanized. Growing up in a traditional Mexican household was quite an experience. My cultural traditions, religious beliefs, and even my ideologies were strongly influenced by my ethnic and racial origin. On my behalf, my ethnic and racial origin would be labeled as Mexican, my social race would be Mexican-American, and my religious affiliation would be Catholic. As a child, my family attended Spanish mass every Sunday. My parents were involved with our local parish and my siblings and I would attend bible study sessions after mass. When I was 3 months old I was baptized, at 10 I completed my First Communion, and at 16 I completed my Confirmation. The catholic church held an integral position of power in our household. My mother would always refer to the bible in times of stress or need and pray with us at bedtime. Socially I would classify my race as Mexican-American or Latina. Mexican shaped my identity and continues to this day. The history, traditions, language, music, and food create a vast culture in which
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My father conveyed a strong sense of pride for his home country, yet he was so grateful for the chance to immigrate to the U.S. and live in California. This created a mixture of Mexican-American nationalism within myself and my siblings. I was so amazed at the country that my father had originated from and was immersed in everything that was tied to it. Yet, I was still a typical American child. Although my true Nationality is American, I do acknowledge the Mexican nationalism I hold within myself as well. I am conscious of the opportunities that being a citizen of the United States has given me, These include but are not limited to; free education, the right to vote, obtaining a driver's license, the ability to receive aid from my university, and even the ability to live a life with no fear of immigration services deporting me.
Within the United States, Mexican people have been labeled as a minority group and equality has long been a foreign concept. Minority groups are usually at a disadvantage when it comes to living in our society. Whether it is our race, gender, or social class, minority groups are not seen favorably by the majority. Racism towards this group is rampant, especially in areas of the world where the white racial frame persists. I have overtly witnessed and experienced discrimination due to the fact of being Mexican. As a child, I saw my father be racially profiled, told derogatory slurs, and seen as less than for being of a darker complexion. In some instances, my mother told us to not speak Spanish and “act” as white children did. Discrimination and marginalization can serve as a hindrance to upward mobility and this has impacted my family tremendously.
However, as much as I can state that I am of Mexican background I do realize that my lighter skin color has given me more privilege than opposed to some of my family members, community, and even culture. I am white-passing and acknowledge that I have not blatantly been discriminated against. At times I feel like I am intruding on my own culture. I feel most at home with my Mexican family, but I don't always feel connected to the greater Mexican culture. You have to speak perfect English or Americans think less of you. You also have to speak flawless Spanish or Mexicans will label you a 'Pocho', a white “washed” Mexican. No matter what I do/say, I might not please either side of the cultural divide. Nonetheless, the idea of race is simply a social construct and I must remind myself that the Mexican culture is my background and life.
When my father first arrived in America, his customs and traditions were easily maintained. However, after he got married to my mother, cultural assimilation soon began. They formed a blend of both Mexican and American cultures. We celebrate most American holidays such as the Fourth of July by enjoying hot dogs and fireworks, as well as Thanksgiving with a bountiful meal for all. We also celebrate Mexican Holidays such as Mexico's Independence Day, Dia de Los Muertos, and Dia de Los Santos Reyes. My mother continues to cook traditional dishes that have been passed down through generations. Overall, My family’s assimilation would be more addictive than substitutive. Immigrants are expected, over an undefined period, to become like other Americans. Yet, my family continues to celebrate and focus on our existing culture as well as introduce and participate in the new culture which we welcome in.
In Mexican culture, sexism envelops a problem that is deeply rooted within our historical narrative. Machismo can be loosely defined as the attitude or conception that men are, by nature, superior to women. Women are expected to be submissive and cater to male figures. On the other hand, men are to be dominant and always keep the women figures in “place”. This rampant sexism in Mexican culture creates an atmosphere in which relations are based on power and ultimately reflects gender inequalities in our society. As young as I can remember, I was always told I had to learn how to be a good housewife for my future husband. I was taught how to cook basic dishes, do/fold laundry, iron clothes, and even keep quiet when male figures were around. This machismo culture is extremely detrimental to young women. It normalizes sexist remarks/behaviors, slut-shaming, homophobia, and a lack of emotional sensitivity.
When my father was only 16 years old, he and three of his brothers paid for a ticket to the trunk of a smuggler’s truck and were smuggled over the Mexican border. He was coming to this country to achieve financial success, as many immigrants do, as well as experience the “American dream” that many spoke of. He migrated to the central valley to live with a cousin of his and they both worked in the manual labor sector; sorting fruit in packing houses, harvesting produce/fruit, and working in construction. Through the years, the Hispanic immigrant population in the U.S. has increased tremendously. According to the Pew Research center, There were 56.5 million Hispanics in the United States in 2015, accounting for 17.6% of the total U.S. population (Hispanic Population in the United States, pg 3). This brings in the fact that many minority groups might soon be the majority within our country. Personally, this fact makes me and my family optimistic. Minority groups will finally have representation within our society and create a social/economic shift that better the lives of all.
Overall, the process of writing this has opened my eyes to the vast culture that I belong to. Being a Mexican woman is one of the main attributes that I am proud of. My parents allowed me to be immersed and loved by the colorful and immersive experiences that being Mexican has to offer. I learned so much about my family's background and I feel as if my appreciation for them has grown.
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