Our Pride, Our Differences...

I am so proud to be Mexican.
Yet, I don't have to show my pride by wearing a shirt saying "Mexi-CAN". I don't have to show my pride by drinking at every birthday party, quinceanera, and wedding that I am invited to. I don't have to show my pride by listening to Banda music. I show my pride by the actions not displayed. Those actions in which I wholeheartedly believe that I can make a difference in the world and just "happen to be Mexican". That is showing true pride. My culture is one of the richest, most influential, cultures in the world. Mexicans are unbiased leaders in art, culture, history, cuisine, and philosophy. All of these amazing qualities that each an every one of us possess, are unfortunately unthought of because of our social status here in the USA. I was fortunate to have been born as a US citizen. I think about how people perceived Mexicans as that stereotype. Most people think of Mexicans as the usual lower-class unit in society--hard working, underpaid, servantry. Specializing in housekeeping, and yard work. It hurts me to hear that. I have a cousin who became a very important businessman that works for a certain major motion picture company, and he is living his American Dream. I want to reach that goal, and I know alot of my fellow Mexican, American, African American, Asian, Indian, and middle eastern brothers and sisters can follow that American Dream. It starts within ourselves, never by the actions of others. I will never label myself as "just a Mexican". I remember how embarrassing it was for me to grow up in a Mexican home. I would go to school and my lunches were never the same ones as my friends. My friends had peanut butter and jelly, I had burritos with egg and chorizo. I would sometimes throw my lunches away because I was different than my friends. I had no idea about being an individual, at that time I was worried about fitting in with my friends. That strange custom went with me up until high school. I wouldn't speak Spanish in front of my friends, I would rather leave the room. I ask myself now,"FOR WHAT?!" My true friends enjoy how I talk with my family about getting home at a certain time, or whatnot. I realised that true friendship lies in the differences and how special we are. Our differences are a catalyst for conversation, stories, and sharing of our experiences in our childhood or present day. So I say to you, embrace your differences, be it cultural, physical, emotional... those are the things that set us apart, but can also keep us so close together.