Alyssa Ortega,
Fresno, CA.

I was born into a Mexican family, with parents who were BOTH born outside of marriage as a result of infidelity. They are both still Mexican, but much lighter than the rest of their families (They are also BOTH part Spaniard) and were not taught Spanish unfortunately due to circumstance. I have alway felt like an outsider for looking different and not knowing Spanish from my family, and also from the people around me. I have been told I don’t look Mexican, but I also don’t look white. I have always felt like there has been no place where I fit in or was able to relate to because of (mainly) the color of my skin.