19 Signs You Grew Up Mexican American

Nothing seems to better explain the struggles of being a Mexican American in the United States than Abraham Quintanilla’s speech in the movie “Selena." “We gotta prove to the Mexicans how Mexican we are, and we gotta prove to the Americans how American we are. We gotta be more Mexican than the Mexicans and more American than the Americans, both at the same time. It’s exhausting.”

1. Almost 19 years later, these words still reign true for many Americans with a Mexican background. Back in 2014, a Tumblr user voiced a similar frustration with her cultural identity, creating a post that still circulates throughout social media today.

The relevancy that both pieces present shows a population of consecutive generations still sharing a similar struggle. This blending of two cultures has created a lifestyle all it's own. Whether you're a first-, second-, or third-generation Mexican in the United States, you grew up in the following blended culture.

2. You can speak fairly well in English and Spanish, but Spanglish is your first language.

You grew up intertwined in two worlds that speak with different tongues and in different accents. The result is a vocabulary all its own.

3. You have never met your entire family.

Just when it seems you’ve met everyone, your family takes a trip to Mexico and your parents introduce you to a new cousin you had no knowledge of.

3. Family game night means Loteria night.

Sorry, there’s no Monopoly in this house.

4. You were scared of La Llorona.

Your parents would threaten to call her or Chucky if you misbehaved.

5. Almost as much as you were scared of your mom.

All she had to do was give you "the look."

6. Calling Taco Bell real Mexican food is an insult.

You know nothing comes close to your mom’s homemade taco platter... but you've been guilty of picking up from Taco Bell or Chipotle from time to time.

7. You know how to recyle everything.

You’re never really sure what’s in your fridge.

8. You've been hit by the chancla.

The ultimate weapon of discipline in the house.

9. You drink “Abuelita” and eat conchas on cold days.

But you're also a regular at Starbucks and Krispy Kreme.

10. Any illness can be cured by Vicks Vapor Rub.

11. Or an egg.

12. This symbolized every one of your childhood birthday parties.

13. And so did this.

14. And this.

15. And when you turned 15, it was this.

16. Someone in your family has been through a haunting.

17. Or seen La Virgen de Guadalupe on something random.

18. You love Selena.

Don’t you dare say Gomez.

19. And in the end, you love her because she represents you, what you’ve gone through, your culture, and your new roots.