Sal Guardado,
Riverside, CA
It has taken over 30 years to gain a sense of personal belonging to a country in which I was born and raised. Could this be because I was born to immigrant parents and always felt the need to compensate for somehow not being “American” enough? As I age, reach new milestones in life, and understand how I contribute to this wonderful country as a citizen, I have come to be proud of my ability to speak two languages, embrace my value in the workforce, and engage in topical conversations that I hope will encourage progress for our nation and beyond. For those that may struggle with finding their American identity because of skin color and self-doubt, you are not alone. Be proud of who you are and what you contribute to society, it’s incredibly important.
