Mexican American Narrative Essay

Growing up in an area with a large Mexican community I never really understood how much my culture means to me. I grew up with the stories my dad and grandfather would tell me about my ancestors. My people were the raiders from the hills of Mexico City and that we were a family of warriors. I never held much weight to the warrior part of my grandfather’s stories but I did know that my great grandfather was a fighter. He left Mexico and rode the train up to Denton Texas and sold tamales on the square his entire life. He fought to give my grandfather a better life here. I don’t talk about my dad’s side of the family much, in this day in age being seen as white has more advantages than being seen as Mexican. This thought changed as I came to

Waving goodbye from the backseat of the car, as we pull out of my parent’s driveway. Looking out the window at the oddly, white shaped clouds. Thinking, I had never been away from my parents and my younger sister for so long, even though it was only for two weeks. I was excited and scared all at once, but I wasn’t too thrilled about the whole 29-hour drive there. Hoping that the trip would go well and nothing bad will happen to us.

How would you discuss the worldviews and value systems of Indigenous peoples prior to European contact/invasion? How did these worldviews impact all aspects of life (science, agriculture, language, spirituality, etc.) for indigenous peoples?

Becoming Mexican American is George J. Sanchez’s document how Chicanos survived as a community in Los Angeles during the first part of the twentieth century. He goes into detail of how many thousands of Mexicans were pushed back in to Mexico during a formal repatriation. Those that survived in Los Angeles joined labor unions and became involved in New Deal politics.

Section A: I am a Mexican-American woman, born to Mexican immigrant parents, and by birthright an American citizen. In my phenotype, I do not look like a stereotypical American, with blonde hair, blue eyes, or a light complexion. I have black hair, dark brown eyes, and a light brown skin complexion. While exploring my identity and my sense of belonging in my Mexican-American, or Chicana identity, I can relate to the growth and development described in the Model of Death and Dying. For, I have the privileges of an American, but have witnessed discrimination against my fellow Mexicans counterparts.

“Wow...there is no way you’re Latino. You’re way too white!” was the ignorant remark made by a one of my peers during my school’s annual Latin-American Fest. Initially, hearing this claim made me look into the mirror. I began to stroke my face and examine my physical features. Was this true? Was I not Latino enough? Did the amount of melanin or lack thereof deem me as Latino?

Presently there is still some social inequality and reverse discrimination is something that I have faced. Some places exist where they will not hire someone if they don't know how to speak Spanish even though English is the main language at the work place. They can easily get away with it because they report that the language is needed to conduct the business and this is accepted by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Starting in the late nineteenth century until the end of World War II, the immigration policy in the United States experienced dramatic changes that altered the pace of immigration. High rates of immigration sparked adverse emotions and encouraged restrictive legislation and numerous bills in Congress advocated the suspension of immigration and the deportation of non-Americans (Wisconsin Historical Society). Mexican American history was shaped by several bills in Congress and efforts to deport all non-Americans from the United States. The United States was home to several Spanish-origin groups, prior to the Declaration of Independence. The term “Mexican American” was a label used to describe a number of Hispanic American groups that

In the Preface of Major Problems in Mexican American History Zaragosa Vargas writes, "Nearly two thirds of Latinos in the United States are of Mexican descent, or Chicanos- a term of self definition that emerged during the 1960's and early 1970s civil rights movement. Chicanos reside mainly in the Southwest, the Pacific Northwest, and the Midwest. Their history begins in the precolonial Spanish era, and they share a rich mestizo cultural heritage of Spanish, Indian, and African origins. The Chicanos' past is underscored by conquest of the present-day American Southwest first by the Spanish and then by the United States following the Mexican American War" (xv). When one thinks of a Chicano one thinks of the Mayans and Aztecs, the conquests,

Currently, as stated above, our children are of ages five and nine. They truly are inextricable towards their father. Fernando Jr. Is currently in 3rd grade at elementary school. He is a very smart child and has a huge heart. On the other hand, Melissa, is truly full of energy, excitement, and is exceptionally intelligent. I know that as a mother, if I have to be away for awhile, it would be devastating for me. It would make me feel angered, anxious, and of course depressed. I would never want to come home to my kids not being able to greet their father like they usually do, with hugs and kisses. Also, knowing that I will not be able to have the financial support of my husband will devastate me. Currently my husband and I are employed. I am

“I have to hurry up and go to class so i don’t be late”. My teacher called me from the text message. I have to go to school on time. “If i knew what that day should bring, I all be happy, If there wasn’t any school i all be in bed all the time.

My summer was completely over. I love my grandmother and everything, but she had just annihilated what I had been looking forward to the ENTIRE year.

At the age of four and a half my family and I left everything behind in Acapulco, Mexico to start and pursue a better lifestyle in the United States. The background I come from was difficult financially and personally. When we got here we lacked both money and support. My dad had a small job working with another landscaper, which made our income insufficient. Eventually my parents separated and that's when things in my life took a big turn. On my mom's side of the family, the road has been rough and bumpy. My mom is a woman of four children, all younger with me being the oldest. She is not employed and that's where life really takes its toll on us. From my eighth-grade year up until now, we have been in unstable households numerous times.

Dangerous-looking black heels stepped out of a battered red pickup truck, Arizona dust swirling around the tires. The engine sputtered into silence, and a tall woman with piercing, grey eyes murmured something quietly to her driver before she closed the truck door. He nodded from behind black sunglasses and started the truck again, driving it behind an abandoned shack that sat some distance away from the road.

Being in second grab and getting asked to go on a trip to Mexico to help people not in the same economic state as me, was terrifying. I didn’t want to go to a place I didn’t know, I didn't want to be with people who I didn't know well, and I definitely didn’t want to go on a plane! All of the “no’s” pulled into my head as my parents tried to convince me to go on a trip that would “change my life.” I made excuse after excuse while we sat there talking, and finally the courage clicked, and I would soon be off on a trip of a lifetime.