Michael Morentin,
Los Angeles, CA.
Growing up a third generation Mexican-American I find myself walking America as a 30 year old Marine Corps veteran and recent college graduate whom is too brown for those around me who are white, and not brown enough for those around me of hispanic heritage. Being third generation Mexican-American the Spanish language remains out of my reach. I find myself understanding vaguely the language but do not currently have the able to carry a conversation. This is a difficult situation for me because all my life it seems I am looked down upon by those of my own ethnicity for not speaking the language, and looked down about by those who are Caucasian for being too ethnic.It was in within the my service from 2004-2009 what i found myself surounded by people who were from all walks of life and generally accepted our differences and excercised tolerance of those different. A true brotherhood was gained and it was my service that only truly makes me feel American.I have gained pride through service and still see and hear the snickering from those who believe i am “white-washed” and those that believe I’m generally automatically a “landscaping expert or day worker”.
