September 16th is known as the “Grito de Dolores” in Mexico. This day marks the beginning of the war against the Spanish to gain Mexico’s territory back and their independence.

I am proud to say that I am Mexican. I was not born in Mexico, but my entire family was. I was the “lucky” one to have been born in the United States. I struggled the least from my sisters, I had the opportunity of going straight to college after high school, and I didn’t get to see all of the struggles that my sisters faced. I never thought about how my heritage was very important to me until I came to college. Here is where I found all of the reasons to flaunt that I am 100% Mexican.

My parents crossed the border and struggled for many years just to be where they are now. Even then, my parents did not live as well as they wished they did, but they have way more than what they ever had in Mexico. With the little my parents have given me, I was raised well to know how to cherish a culture I come from.

Freshman year through junior year of high school, I never thought about how I was an American because I was born here. I just always claimed to be Mexican. It wasn’t until senior year of high school where I did not want to be associated with being an American. I did not want to be associated with a country that took a land from someone and claimed it to be a new world. I did not want to be tied into the country that had slavery and has segregation, discrimination, and racism. I did not want to associate with a place that degrades women in every way possible. I was born and raised here, but I never grew up learning how to love this country as an American.

I was raised to learn how to love pozole, tamales, pan dulce, Chocolate Abuelita, the beautiful mountains in Iguala, Guerrero, the saltiness of the ocean in Acapulco, the blazing sun in Chilpancingo, how to properly roll my Rs, and to know the difference between Cinco de Mayo and Independence Day. It bothers how some Americans flaunt Cinco de Mayo festivities thinking that it is Mexico’s Independence Day, but it is not, just like Taco Bell and Chipotle is not Mexican food.

I love my culture in every way and no matter what I will always say I am Mexican. Being raised this way allowed me to value everything I have and am exposed to. I have learned how to value the people that are immigrants and come to this country in search of a better life. I understand why they come here. I learned how to love my culture and every piece of richness and beauty it is. I learned how to stand up for people that face similar issues my family did. I am an activist in my own way no matter what anyone says. I know how to be respectful of people and I also know how not to let anyone bring me down. Being away from home has allowed me to fully expand my wings and be proud of being Mexican and teaching others about my culture.

¡Viva México!