Em
New York, NY
Born in Mexico, to mexican parents, crossed the border to find a better life, learning english on tv, grew up in Queens, the most ethnically diverse county in the US, with Colombians, Dominicans, Puerto Ricans, Mexicans, Ecuadorians, two brothers many shades darker than I, my mother “the help,” always having too much pride to accept handouts, defending the darker Mexicans growing up from the other Latino bullies, fighting twice as hard for advancement, having doors slammed in my face for opportunities after white people find out i am mexican, and after hispanics see the color of my skin…
My light skin does NOT negate my heritage, my culture, my experiences, my hardships
I am tired of having to justify my nationality because I am an articulate professional who does not fit their hyperbolized expectation of what a Mexican should look like, sound like, act like.
I am tired of being told by whites I am too ethnic, and by people of color that I am too white.
I am tired of being told by all nationalities that I do not understand what it means to be discriminated against
I am tired of witnessing the race card being tossed around at any disagreement, when many of us who have been prejudiced suffer in silence.
I am tired of expecting an ounce of respect, and acknowledgement for my actions/work, as opposed to the color of my skin.
I am tired of having to prove that I am Mexican
