Cultural Identity

They ask me to write down My race And i think And think Very seriously And consider Writing down the truth And have my answer read I have... A grandmother Graciela Michelle Magdalena Camberos Very hard worker from the age of 12 Did not have much of a wealthy life Married the love of her life whole stole her As she got older she would always smile and say. "Un chocolatito nunca le hace dano a nadien" I have... A mother, Maria Emma Camberos Born Februay 5, in Tijuana She is a hard worker She's always helped my grandmother since the age of 12 She is a good influence on me When she was young she never had the privilages i have today She had to stay at home instead of pursuing an education And help with younger siblings at home. I have... A father Manuel Alonso Esparza Born October 25, in Aguascalientes My dad holds a very important influence in my life He has always been a hard workersince the age of 10 Waking up when the sun rises, to help his father bring in the cattle To be fed, his fathers right hand to help with anything he could And helping out with the rest of the family with cheese and butter making I have... Never had difficulties with my cultural status Everyone around me was just like me I have all these... Traditions with food, music, gatherings... Like tortillas de harina, frijoles and arroz. Music styles such as Corridos, rancheras And artists like Vicente Fernandez, jenny Rivera, Miguel y Miguel. Family gatherings can't happen without posole, mole, menudo or birria. They ask me to write down My race And i think Very seriously And consider Writing down the truth And have my answer read I have... A story, the story of "The Mexican Boogie-borders" Before i was born, my father mother and 3 older sibling Traveled to the beach where they gathered with my Tia Licha and 4 cousins While out in the water the piece of wood used as a boogie-board started to sink Toro (my cousin) who does not know how to swim and was not wearing a life jacket Was sinking. My mother and Aunt sat out at the shore with panic, but Toro came out fine. I always keep this in mind because i never want to be in a situation like that one. Inside this body I have... My Tio Monchi with his big beer belly, Afro curls, and his oldies. My Tia licha, and her fancy colorful cheap jewlery and shiny clothes. My Tata Manuel, with his stories of his travesuras and his caguama in his hand. Inside this body I have... Soccer, or kick the can My favorite song. "Ojasos negros" A famous person in my family, My uncle Carlos Santana That smell of dirt, muddy dirt A very close friend, my best friend, my boyfriend Fernando Vazquez My 87' Nissan Sentra also known as my Little Grey My pride, My Hero... My Father I have... My nana's house in Mexicali, B.C The bright yellow walls, and raggedy old brown fence Half way falling from were the twins crashed a motorcycle Those two very tall trees were nenito always climbed up and got stuck The kids running up and down on the dirt so sticky that made Everyone a couple inches taller. Inside this body... I have... La Colonia de los Milagros in Mexicali, B.C Muscoy's #rd St. Dona Chabelitas corner store in Tijuana La montanita behind Tia Rosa's house La Pared amarilla next to Neto's tire shop Inside this body I have dreams of... Having a good life, and providing for my parents the way they Have provided for me my whole life. And hoping for every one else to persue there dreams and become who they Want and accomplishing what they want in life. Inside this body I have my family Inside this body... But i stop And simply Write down 'MEXICAN'