Mexican Archives - The Race Card Project

In a Class of My Own

June 1, 2026June 1, 2026 adversity, African American, black skin, Chicago, class, half-human, hlaf-demon, IL, InuYasha, Marcus Garcia, Mexican, mix, pretend, Spanish

Marcus Garcia,
Chicago, IL

I chose these words that have been plucked straight out of InuYasha. If you aren’t familiar, InuYasha is about a half-demon who goes through much adversity and is often ridiculed for being both half-demon and half-human. During one fight, he yells out these words and proves himself as a worthy opponent against his full-demon enemy. I myself am a mix of Mexican and African American without really retaining the traits of falling into one group or the other so to speak. There’s something fascinating to me about someone who doesn’t fit in anywhere but finds solace in carving his own path that is deviant from either group. As much as I would love to learn Spanish, the few times I’ve tried to speak it has been ripped to shreds by someone who has spoken it since they were a kid while I was not. As much as I would love to pretend my skin is black, it still resembles a side of me I couldn’t fully connect to anyway. Yet I see both of these cultures as their own thing while I’m neither, and still find something to admire about both.

I was always already right here

June 1, 2026June 1, 2026 Austin, citizen, heritage, immigrant, indigenous, Marta Elena Muñoz, Mexican, mix, Spanish, Tejas (TX), Texas

Marta Elena Muñoz,
Austin, Tejas (TX)

Go back to where you came from. Imagine telling an American citizen of Mexican heritage (indigenous and Spanish mix) to go back to where I came from. As if this isn’t my ancestral land. As if “manifest destiny” and slave ownership weren’t reasons my ancestral lands were taken away. And now Texas government wants to build walls and vilify immigrants, as if this whole country wasn’t invaded and pillaged by white immigrants. As long as people want to avoid history, want to avoid their white guilt, want to disparage other nationalities, this country will continue to suffer from the internal festering. In the meantime, I am back to where I came from and where I have always been. And I welcome anyone that wants to share this American experience, one that has potential for greatness for all, whether you came here by choice or not. After all, would you be here if it weren’t for your parents?

Grew Up Black. Now part Mexican.

May 11, 2026May 11, 2026 CA, Chicago, covered wagon, Georgetown Diversity & Inclusion Management Certification Class, grew-up black, identify, IL, Mexican, Mexico, Michelle Y. Bess, mom, NYC

Michelle Y. Bess,
Chicago, IL.

My mom is from California, my dad is from NYC. They raised my 4 siblings and me in Washington State. We grew up identifying as black. Recently, on a trip home, my mom learned that our family moved from Mexico to California on a covered wagon to begin a new life.

Jokes Can Be Just As Harmful

February 12, 2026February 15, 2026 8th Grade Holland New Tech High School, harmful, Holland, hurt, jokes, light skin, Mexican, MI, Skyla Gochenour, stereotype, tacos

Skyla Gochenour,
8th Grade Holland New Tech High School,
Holland, MI.

Every day there are supposed “jokes” batted back and forth between man every day. While many of these jokes are seemingly harmless, they can really hurt people. Especially people like me. Since I have lighter skin it is impossible to tell that I am Mexican, with the only thing to prove it being several of my other family members. I do not speak Spanish, I do not like tacos, and I certainly do not fit the Mexican stereotype at all. Due to my paler skin, people may say a joke or two directed towards Mexicans unknowingly, or in even more serious cases- racial remarks. When I hear this, I always feel upset, they are insulting my mom, my grandma, my grandpa, my cousins and even my best friends. While you would expect them to fall silent in guilt after I tell them that I am Mexican many people do the opposite. A common response would be “Good, I needed someone to mow my lawn.” or, “So you like Tacos?” I have had to deal with this for my entire life and I am sick and tired of it. Even if it may be a “joke”, it is not funny at all. We don’t all eat tacos, we won’t mow your lawns for free, we are not all illegal immigrants. We are all people, we have hobbies, interest, and everything you have. So what makes us so different?

#HollandNewTech

Your words don’t change who I am

December 1, 2025December 2, 2025 Accept, beautiful, biracial, Blake Coffey, CA, Mexican, mixed, mixed father, skin, Van Nuys, white mother, words

Blake Coffey,
Van Nuys, CA.

In a world where being mixed is supposed to be looked at as beautiful, it’s not as easy when you are. People automatically assume that all mixed people are supposed to look mixed just like they assume all Mexicans are brown. I’m born to a mixed black/white father who looks full black and society deems him so, and a white mother. I’ve looked for people that are the same thing or mixed but not looked at as mixed but I’ve always felt left out. I don’t look at people as a certain race but they sure look at me like I am. I’m judged and denied of who I am because genetics determined that I wouldn’t come out looking mixed. Although I’ve faced racism from every race.

Today is the day when I fully accept myself for who I am. I’m not denying myself or anyone else of who I truly am. I am not Mexican, I am not Middle Eastern, I am not Puerto Rican or whatever else I’ve told people. It’s time for me to not only come to terms with who I am but to come to terms with the world and how it is. To stop shielding myself and hiding behind fake back stories because of peoples judgments and words. It doesn’t matter if I had brown eyes, blue eyes, black kinky hair, blonde straight hair, a bump on my nose, big lips, high cheek bones, dark skin, light skin, because I am what I am and I can’t change it. People can make whatever assumptions they want or say whatever but that doesn’t change who I am ethnically.

I wanted to change who I am ethnically my entire life. But I can’t. It’s time to stop lying and just be honest. Whether or not I’m accepted by the black community or even the biracial and multiracial community, I am a multiracial person of African and European heritage. My dad looks full black and my mom looks white as snow, yet my sisters and I came out with light carmel skin tones, different hair types, colored eyes, and unique facial features that make us look completely different from anyone else in our family. Whether someone tries to portrait me as white or Mexican or something else that I’m not is not my problem. I can’t change it and your words or judgments isn’t going to change anything either. It’s not your place to determine who or what I am. I am a person of mixed race. That’s just what I am.

I find my identity in Christ

November 27, 2025December 2, 2025 American, CA, CBU HIS311, Christ, exercise, God, identify, identity, Janine D Herrera, Mexican, Mexican-American, old habbits, Rancho Cucamonga, sibmings, Spanish

Janine D Herrera,
Rancho Cucamonga, CA.

When beginning this exercise, I almost regressed back to my old thinking habits. I came up with the six-word phrase, ‘English language no Spanish still Mexican.’ However, I realized I was going back to what I was delivered from. I used to struggle with my identity. I am Mexican America, I speak English and only know very little Spanish. My parents used Spanish to have adult conversations so that my siblings and I wouldn’t know what they were talking about. Therefore, we weren’t taught the language. However, growing up it was a struggle. To my Hispanic Spanish speaking friend’s and Hispanic elders, I ran into, I was teased and viewed as white. When I attempted to speak Spanish, I would be laughed at when I spoke it wrong. I wasn’t Mexican enough for them. However, for the white people I was viewed as Mexican and not white enough for them. Although, I did not identify with white, I struggled with being truly accepted. It wasn’t until I truly committed myself to Christ that I realized my identity was truly found in Him. And it wasn’t until then that I was set free from the boxes society tries to fit or confine me in.

Thanks CBU HIS311

Latino, but I am a Republican

May 13, 2025May 13, 2025 book, CO, Colorado Springs, deportation, green, ICE, illegal, Latino, Mexican, podcast, red, Republican, veterans, white

Andres,
Colorado Springs, CO

As a second generation Mexican, with 2 parents that at one point came here illegally. I vote republican, I am a Republican. I voted for Trump, I support ICE. These things get me labeled a traitor, a bigot, or a brain washed conservative. My father came here illegally, but gained his citizenship under the Ronald Reagan administration’s Amnesty. My mother came over smuggled in the back of a Uhaul but gained her residency and proudly achieved US Citizenship this past December. I do not agree with handouts or weekly payouts for those coming here to abuse our system. I do not support our veterans, as a United States Marine Corps veteran, living on the streets while those that have given nothing for our nation are being fed with a sliver spoon. I agree with deportation and cleaning up our communities in such a way that our own citizens are provided for versus strangers. I am tired of being labeled things, or being grouped with racists for feeling that we need to get back to our core. My roots are Red White and Green, but I bleed Red White and Blue. I have this nation to thank for all the things that my family and I are blessed for, I can appreciate my heritage but recognize my present.

Not all Mexicans are dangerous

April 24, 2025April 24, 2025 CA, dangerous, Jonathan, Mexican, Redwood City

Jonathan,
Redwood City, CA

Not just Tacos, Tequila or danger.

February 5, 2025 dangerous, Emily, IA, Mexican, pride, stereotype, tacos, tequila, Waukee

Emily,
Waukee, IA

I chose these six words because I’m tired of people reducing my culture to food and stereotypes about safety. Being Mexican is so much more than what people assume, it’s about family, pride, resilience, and a rich, beautiful history. I hope sharing this helps people understand that every culture is deeper than the surface-level assumptions often made about it.

Chicana Falsa I Am Not!

January 22, 2025January 23, 2025 Amber Nicole Gutierrez, American, CA, Cesar Chavez, Chicana, civil rights, culture, different, Hemet, higher education, identity, Loteria, Mexican, Mike R. CA., military, speak Spanish, stereotype

Amber Nicole Gutierrez,
Hemet, CA.

Everyone grew up with a different life-style, just because I look of Mexican decent does not mean I am the same as every Mexican stereotype. I am an American and have grew up in the middle of both worlds of “American” and “Mexican”. I understand Spanish and speak some. I was not raised in the barrio it does not mean I do not know the culture. I may shout the word Loteria but it does not mean I do not know of the word buenas. I am as American as they come . My father served in military for a 20 years span, my mother was born here as her mom’s mom was. However, I do self-identify as a Chicana. This is due to the wonderful culture of Mexico and the Cesar Chavez Movement for civil rights and belief in higher education. I hope to assist minorities wherever disparities are found.

SHOUT OUT- CBU HIS311

Mexican Born achieving my American dream

January 1, 2025January 23, 2025 American Dream, CA, California Baptist University, career, CBU HIS311, first experience, Jesus Castro, Menifee, Mexican, military, retirement, Spanish, teaching

Jesus Castro
Menifee, CA
California Baptist University
CBU HIS311

I was born in Mexico and am the first person in my family to have a career with retirement benefits. Proud to be in this country and served in the Military. I now have a family and I am teaching my 2 year old son the spanish language. **CBU HIS311

Why are they staring at me?

November 6, 2024 Anaheim, Boise, CA, elementary school, first experience, Idaho, Mexican, skin color, Sophia Villasenor, staring

Sophia Villasenor,
Anaheim, CA

Moving to Boise, Idaho when I was 7, I dealt with a change. I quickly felt as if I wasn’t the same as everyone else since I was one of the only Mexican kids in the Elementary School. The only other Mexican kids were my siblings so we all we told we were different. Whether classmates flocked to me because I was different in their eyes, it was overwhelming being paid attention to due to my skin color.

Mexicana by bood, American by birth.

November 6, 2024 Amnerican, Arlington, Citlalli, dual identity, Mexican, TX

Citlalli,
Arlington, TX

This is a powerful statement that captures the dual identity many individuals experience, particularly those who are of Mexican heritage but born in the United States, like myself.

Im Mexican and I am Proud

November 4, 2024November 6, 2024 Garland, Giselle Vargas, Mexican, proud, TX

Giselle Vargas,
Garland, TX

I have the Mexican blood and I’m proud

October 15, 2024 blood, Fort Worth, Heidi Hernandez, Mexican, pride, proud, TX

Heidi Hernandez,
Fort Worth, TX

You’re hispanic, then must be Mexican.

October 15, 2024 Andrea, Eugene, Hispanic, limited, Mexican, OR

Andrea,
Eugene, OR

Being Hispanic isn’t limited to one ethnicity.

first generation Mexican, pressure to succeed

August 21, 2024August 21, 2024 Boone, Boone high school, Boone IA, Carla Jean Perez, first generation, IA, Mexican

Carla Jean Perez,
Boone, IA

As a Hispanic with a father from Mexico, there is always the pressure to exceed to be better, it will help in the future but right now it’s emotionally draining. My name is Carla Perez and I will always be proud if my name and where it came from, I now live in a small town in Iowa called Boone and I go to Boone high school which allows me to show me.

Age 5 They don’t serve Mexicans

August 15, 2024 Chicago, dinner, Don, don't serve, first experience, food, IL, Mario Lopez, Mexican, Mexico, police, racism, restaurant, Texas, TX

Mario Lopez,
Chicago, IL

Our family was on vacation on the way to visit family in Mexico and we went to some restaurant in Texas and after sitting unattended for almost an hour, my dad tells me “we’re going to have to go.” I asked him “Why?” and he tells me “they don’t serve Mexicans here.” Again I asked “but why? “We have money to pay don’t we?” my Dad says “of course we do.” I persisted “so why can’t they serve us, we’re not asking for anything for free?” He responds, “they just don’t serve Mexicans.” For many years I could not understand why a business would willingly lose out on making money by refusing to serve someone because of who they were.

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