Just Because I Was Born In One Country, Doesn't Mean I Can't Take Pride In My Heritage
Start writing a post
Lifestyles

Just Because I Was Born In One Country Doesn't Mean I Can't Take Pride In My Heritage

Never forget your roots

100
lots of flags

The origins of this article come from a debate between French Ambassador to the USA, @GerardAraud, and Daily Show Host @Trevornoah, in relation to the World Cup Winning French National Team. There is a lot of subtext to this debate, but this video does a decent job of summarizing what was said. While I don't think either one of them was completely right, I think there it's fair to bring up the issue because those players are Frenchmen of African descent, and both should be acknowledged.

Then their debate reminded me of this quote from the Selena movie:

"And 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. Damn. Nobody knows how tough it is to be a Mexican American."

For many Americans, it doesn't take all that long to think of the point in time when we were immigrants. I mean, the United States of America wasn't even a country 250 years ago, and while that may seem like a lot, for most of us that's less than 10 generations ago.

I feel that all that preface is needed to get to the point of we should be proud of who we are and where we are from.

While I don't have quite the same experience on the national scale of guys like Ambassador Araud and Trevor Noah, an American TV show host who was born in South Africa and grew up during Apartheid, I have seen those on a smaller scale as someone of mixed heritage and someone who has grown up in two different states.

First the mixed heritage part.

That Selena quote really resonates with me because it's an issue I've had to deal with my entire life, as I am one of, if not the only, member of my mother's family of Mexican descent, and I'm one of the only members of my dad's family who is white, to the point where I almost look lost at family reunions. That said, I listen to country music and have the Mexican flag hanging over my seat in the living room.

Still, I am an American, but to disregard my Mexican heritage is disrespectful to my family and ancestors. They are as much a part of who I am as apple pie, hot dogs, and bald eagles.

As for the moving states aspect of understanding dual-heritage, I grew up in California and moved to Texas as a pre-teen.

If you know anyone from Texas, you know there is a certain level of "chest-beating" that comes with being Texan, but I remember being told the old "steers and queers" line about Texas. There are also certain stereotypes with Californians to be either "surfer-dude" types or "Hollywood" types.

After having lived in both states for about a decade each, I beat my chest like a proud Texan and have certain "Hollywoodisms" that come out about as much as my Spanish accent. When people ask me where I'm from, however, my answers are some version of "I was born in Texas, I grew up in California, and then I moved back to Texas" because the combination of those two distinct cultures have made me who I am as much as being Mexican-American has.

Whether you are Mexican-American, Latin-American, French of African descent, German of Turkish descent, Austrian of Mongolian descent, a native of your own country, or anything else, take pride in who you are and where you're from, both physically and ancestrally.

We aren't just where we were born. We aren't just where our families are from. We are both, and that is one of the best things are the world we live in now.

We have families that span the entire globe because of how fast and how far we can travel. More so than any other point in history, we are one people connected across the globe and many of our ancestries reflect that.

At the end of the day, we are who we are.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

933682
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

110003
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lots of people sat on the cinema wearing 3D glasses
Pinterest

Ever wonder what your friend meant when they started babbling about you taking their stapler? Or how whenever you ask your friend for a favor they respond with "As You Wish?" Are you looking for new and creative ways to insult your friends?

Well, look no further. Here is a list of 70 of the most quotable movies of all time. Here you will find answers to your questions along with a multitude of other things such as; new insults for your friends, interesting characters, fantastic story lines, and of course quotes to log into your mind for future use.

Keep Reading...Show less
New Year Resolutions

It's 2024! You drank champagne, you wore funny glasses, and you watched the ball drop as you sang the night away with your best friends and family. What comes next you may ask? Sadly you will have to return to the real world full of work and school and paying bills. "Ah! But I have my New Year's Resolutions!"- you may say. But most of them are 100% complete cliches that you won't hold on to. Here is a list of those things you hear all around the world.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Ultimate Birthday: Unveiling the Perfect Day to Celebrate!

Let's be real, the day your birthday falls on could really make or break it.

57313
​different color birthday candles on a cake
Blacksburg Children's Museum

You heard it here first: birthdays in college are some of the best days of your four years. For one day annually, you get to forget about your identity as a stressed, broke, and overworked student, and take the time to celebrate. You can throw your responsibilities for a day, use your one skip in that class you hate, receive kind cards and gifts from loved ones and just enjoy yourself.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments