You know thats the exact same question I've been asking myself for the past 25 years and to this day I have only come up with one conclusion, I'm a child of God. Hehe... oh, you mean who am I on this earth? Well, that's a good question. You see, I am a victim of an identity crisis and "'Merica" doesn't seem to want to give me a good name. I was born and raised and in a small little town in Northern New Mexico called Taos.
Yes, New Mexico. Did you know that its been a state for 101 years since January? But I guess disregarding those few years of state-hood, many people have kept their ignorance at a high and still think that we are part of good ol' Mexico. Oh, it gets even better when asked what ethnicity I am. I'd say I'm Mexican by blood, completely born and raised along with my lovely mother and my awesome father, who are also considered Americans of Mexican decent. You may ask how that's possible. Well, that's easy, My ancestors were Mexicans who stayed in New Mexico when it became a state and many generations later, I got lucky or cursed depending on how you see it, to be born on United States soil. I am an outcast of many of my stereotypical social groups and I would like to give you a little secret as to why this is true. I ACTUALLY ALLOW MYSELF TO BE ME! I'm not the Vato-Loco-Baggy-jeans-flannel-shirt-Cholo-with-a-mustache that we see as the Stereotype of an American Mexican.
Neither am I the Ranchero-curlytip-boots-banda-lover.
I claim Spain as the mother country, but hate the history of how I became its descendant. I also claim the Native American culture even though because of who I am and where I come from, I may never ever receive the same acceptance.
But I have to admit, I've gotten used to the fact that I'm not accepted, and am ok with being treated like a mutt. In middle school it was all about identifying who you are and where you came from. I went to a charter middle school and many of the students were Caucasian. And of course, because I wasn't white enough I never was considered a real American. When going to High school, same exact experience happened except with my Mexican friends and it hit me; Selena's dad was right. If anyone has seen the old movie of Selena Quintanilla Perez's life they know exactly what I'm talking about. People born in my situation have a harder struggle of being accepted as just being a fellow human being. And don't get me started on being LDS, let's just save that for the next post. so for for now, good night and until next time.
