Life & Death

In my culture we celebrate both life and death. Everyone celebrates birthdays, but we also like to celebrate those who we have lost.

My culture and my identity is the celebration of life and death.

We don't like to be sad about those who have passed. We like to be happy we spent time with them and the memories we have.

I personally don't fear death, it happens to everyone and whether or not there is a world for the dead to rest, I believe our ancestors and loved ones are looking over us. There is no way we can prove any of this wrong or right, believing they are still here with us is a way to show appreciation and love.

This is my way of embracing and showing off my culture, even though it's not constant or always talked about. I love my culture and love embracing it in any way I can, I am not in folklorico or in a banda, or even had a traditional quinceanera.

In any way, shape or form I embrace my culture by making the food, listening to the music and learning about the myths and legends.

I wouldn’t trade my culture for any other.

No soy de aqui ni de haya

So where do I belong? I speak two languages

Dream in two language

Yet, I am not fully one or the other

So again, where exactly do I belong

In a world so big, there has to be a place

Donde pueda pertenecer

Identity

I am Mexican

But I am also American

I'm a person in between And a young teen

A person who is easily dismissed Always treated like a person who is amiss

It’s no wonder why I always feel like this Not respected, nor listened to This is something we must fight through Make them listen, make them understand

That we are no different just because we are tan