Selena quintanilla family

Updated: February 8, pm. My colored eyes and light complexion have always been a point of interest for the people within my culture. I am a first generation Mexican American. My parents came here in their early lives, and I have grown up in the United States. Being first generation has not eliminated my culture from me, instead it […].

Being first generation has not eliminated my culture from me, instead it has given me a different perspective on what it means to be Mexican. Despite this, I have spent my life being referred to as either not Mexican enough or not American enough. This has rung true for me more than any other movie quote I have heard. I feel pressured to say things a certain way, and sometimes feel self conscious about the way I look.

I feel anxious when I go to taquerias or Mexican restaurants with my friends who are also Mexican because as they approach the register to order, the cashier often acknowledges them in Spanish. However when it is my turn to order, the cashier usually greets me in English. I have always been referred to as the gringa, or the white girl, in groups of Mexicans and been laughed at for my broken Spanish.

Selena quintanilla quotes

However, the truth is that I look exactly how I am supposed to look for the region of Mexico that my family is from. Growing up, my grandma spoke to me in only Spanish, but she was learning English, so I never had to answer her in Spanish. Because of this, I understand Spanish but have trouble stringing together sentences in Spanish. My skin color is considered to be too light and my Spanish is not very good.

My last name is Spanish but my first name is not a traditional Spanish name, though there is a Spanish translation.