...the majority of my life in the United States has taught me the differences and similarities of Mexican and American cultures. Since both of my parents come from Mexican heritage, my roots align more with the Mexican culture. Therefore, I have learned the essential values of the Mexican culture from my parents, such as language and behavior. My appreciation for both cultures has come from all the experiences I have gathered from living in El Paso the majority of my life. Although I have spent the majority of my life All of my years living in the United States, I find myself abiding by traditional Mexican values. Due to this I have been able to differentiate the values and norms of both cultures. One aspect...
Words: 756 - Pages: 4
...had many experiences in which my race has been questioned based on my skin tone. I consider myself a Mexican American girl. Many people, however, have had their opinions on what it means to be Mexican AND American. To me being Mexican American means that your roots are from Mexico but you yourself were born in America. When I walked down the street people told me that they knew I was a Mexican American. Other people, however, have had the problem of defining who I really was. All of my life I was brought up as a Mexican American girl whose parents immigrated to the United States for a better life for their family. In other words they came to the U.S. for the “American Dream.” Much of my relatives are in Chicago in which they also came for a better life. However, all of my family is not here because some are still back home in Mexico. I often visited my family in Michoacán, Mexico. I loved going there because there I was able to explore and visit my roots and where I came from. As a child my family members in Mexico called me “La Güera”. Being a child I had no idea what it meant. I thought it was cute nickname and that is why I would always respond to it. As I grew up I asked them “Porque me llaman güera cuando no soy blanca?” (Why do you call me Güera when I am not white?) My cousins answered the question with the simple answer of “Porque nacisteis en los Estados” (Because you where born in the states.) I was confused because I knew that I wasn’t white. I was Mexican and I was...
Words: 1456 - Pages: 6
...her experiences as a multicultural American at Columbia University in New York and the confusion she felt about her identity. She grew up in L.A. and mostly identified with her Mexican background, but occasionally with her Puerto Rican background as well. Upon arriving to New York however, she discovered that to everyone else, she was considered "Latina." She points out that a typical "Latina" must salsa dance, know Mexican history, and most importantly, speak Spanish. Raya argues that she doesn’t know any of these things, so how could this label apply to her? She’s caught between being a "sell-out" to her heritage, and at the same time a "spic" to Americans. She adds that trying to cope with college life and the confusion of searching for an identity is a burden. Anna Raya closes her essay by presenting a piece of advice she was given on how to deal with her identity. She was told that she should try to satisfy herself and not worry about other people’s opinions. Anna Lisa Raya’s essay is an informative account of life for a multicultural American as well as an important insight into how people of multicultural backgrounds handle the labels that are placed upon them, and the confusion it leads to in the attempt to find an identity. Searching for an identity in a society that seeks to place a label on each individual is a difficult task, especially for people of multicultural ancestry. Raya’s essay is an informative account of life for a multicultural American, because...
Words: 1724 - Pages: 7
...Bernardo M. Ferdman, Alliant International University, and Placida I. Gallegos, Organizational Consultant, San Diego, CA and The Kaleel Jamison Consulting Group, Inc. This case study is based on the experience of Angelica Garza, a woman of Mexican American heritage who worked for 10 year in the human resource (HR) function of a multinational medical products company. This maquiladora plant was in Tijuana, Baja California, a large city directly across the U.S.-Mexican border from San Diego, California. Maquiladoras are manufacturing plants owned by foreign capital in the regions of Mexico bordering the United States, which have been set up to take advantage of favorable laws and cheap labor. The Tijuana plant was one of a number of operations for USMed. Six other U.S. facilities were located in the Northeast, the Midwest, and Florida. In addition to her work in the other U.S. facilities were located in the Northeast, the Midwest, and Florida. In addition to her work in the manufacturing plant, where Angelica spent most of her time, she was also responsible for human resources for the small, primarily administrative facility in Chula Vista, on the U.S. side of the border. Eventually, there were 34 Americans -12 on the Mexican side and 22 on the U.S. side –and approximately 1100 Mexican nationals on the payroll. There was little connection between Angelica and the HR managers at the other USMed plants, either in the United States or abroad....
Words: 1398 - Pages: 6
...Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans, A new beginning in the United States North America is known to have various groups of different ethnic backgrounds and cultures. Most people in the United States if not them have ancestors who moved to the U.S for a better way of living or to escape challenges that arrived in their respected countries. According, to www.education.byu.edu Individuals of the Latin American origin contains over 14% of the population of the United States. The two groups that will be discussed in this paper will consist of American Mexicans the largest of the Hispanic groups and Puerto Ricans who are the second largest group of Hispanics in the United States. The Mexican American and Puerto Rican groups are the fastest growing group in such states as Utah, New York, Illinois, Texas, California, Arizona and Colorado. The Hispanic population continues to rise in the United States as more opportunities are given to them and this paper will introduce different challenges that these two Latino groups experienced in the United States. This paper will identify two of the largest growing Hispanic groups which consist of Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans. In this research paper I will recognize who these two groups are, where they originated, why these two groups migrated to the United States, and also include the challenges that they face pertaining to work, health, education, family, and religion. Originated and Migration Mexican Americans are identified...
Words: 1582 - Pages: 7
...with his frustrations. In the ‘’The Unexpected Lessons of Mexican Food,’’ Montano uses food to make a bridge between Mexican and American culture. First, Montano uses food to make a bridge between Mexican and American culture when in the article he refers to himself as a ''Wexican'' (936). ''Wexican'' is a union between the words White and Mexican. According to the article, ''In the Mexican side of my family I was known as the white one’’ (936), and ''On the other side, my cousins called me a ‘Wexican,’ a white Mexican despite my similarly toned skin'' (936). He was not recognized for either even though he spoke Spanish and strongly identified with his Mexican heritage. Right after writing about his biracial identity, he makes the bridge when he tries to eliminate his frustrations by using Mexican and American products to cook, and he feels more comfortable because ''I could make a food that doesn’t have to be Mexican or American'' (936). In his introduction, Montano refers to ‘’the earthy smell of boiling pinto beans’’ as something that apparently both sides of his family liked (936). Later in life, his experience in Argentina with cooking Mexican food for his friends helped him realize and gain confidence in his identity as a Mexican- American (940). Second, talking about Eagle Pass, Texas, Montano uses food to make a bridge between Mexican and American culture. It is the hometown of his dad. Eagle Pass is an American town by the Rio Grande River with Mexico. Montano describes...
Words: 671 - Pages: 3
...Mac Foster Mrs. Brown Adv 11th Lit 15 December 2016 Gary Soto Gary Soto, a Mexican-American author, was born in 1952, Fresno, California. His parents were both Mexican-American. Soto did not expect a lot in his life, he imagined he would "’marry Mexican poor, work Mexican hours, and in the end die a Mexican death, broke and in despair’" (Lee). That’s what many people would have predicted for him. However, he instead became a writer of great worth, writing poems and short stories. “Soto is one of the most important voices in Chicano literature”(Sullivan). Soto, an established writer, uses his experience from life and his surroundings when he was a child to write stories about life in a Mexican-American community. Soto grew up in a small family,...
Words: 1296 - Pages: 6
...overcome these barriers will often fall on the shoulders of healthcare providers; it becomes their job to help decrease the overall health disparity suffered by vulnerable populations. In this paper the subject to discuss is the vulnerable Mexican American population and will evaluate barriers faced by them as well as barriers faced by healthcare workers, and the methods that could be used in order to help decrease current health disparities. Mexican-Americans: A Population at Risk Mexican-Americans, especially aging Mexican-Americans are an extremely vulnerable population. Currently, Hispanics are the fastest growing ethnic population in the United States and as of the 2003 U.S. Census, their population, “grew at a rate almost fourfold that of the general population—13% vs. 3.3%--over a 39 month period” (Keating, et al. 2009). That being said, non-English-speaking immigrants are often socially and economically disadvantaged, which impacts health disparities (Keating, et al. 2009). Barriers to Care There are many barriers that are working against the current attempts to decrease health disparities. One of these barriers is the fact that many Mexican-American people cannot afford good health insurance. In fact, many elderly Mexican-Americans who would greatly benefit from professional medical assistance are unable to obtain it because they did not qualify for Medicare (Crist, 2002). Often times this...
Words: 1540 - Pages: 7
...Growing up as the child of Mexican immigrants in a multicultural neighborhood, my identity has been shaped by the rich tapestry of my cultural heritage. This background is not just a footnote in my life story; it is the very essence of who I am. It has influenced my worldview, my passions, and my aspirations. My journey through these intersecting identities has provided me with unique perspectives that I believe would be an invaluable addition to any academic community. From an early age, I was immersed in the beauty of Mexican culture. My parents ensured that our household was a vibrant celebration of Mexican traditions, language, and cuisine. We celebrated holidays like Da de los Muertos and Cinco de Mayo with great enthusiasm, and our dinner...
Words: 466 - Pages: 2
...Throughout history, Hispanics in general have experience a considerable amount of discrimination and have been stereotyped as a gang member, drug dealers, and border hoppers. A significant event which stood out to me where Mexicans faced discrimination was "Operation Wetback." Operation Wetback was an operation headed by the Immigration and Naturalization Service in the early 1950's. The intention of the action was to deport illegal immigrants by locating them and sending them back to their country of origin. The target of this operation was the southwest region of the United States and targeted Mexicans. Government agents flooded Mexican neighborhoods and would stop and ask "Mexican looking" people for identification. If none was presented, they were deported back to Mexico. Even children of those deported although being United States Citizens were also deported. The number projected to have ended with over one million illegal immigrants deported back to Mexico. Fred L. Koestler, "OPERATION WETBACK," Handbook of Texas Online Another act of discrimination in United States History with Mexican Americans was the Zoot Suite Riots of 1952. United States Sailors, Marines, and other service were storming the streets assaulting Mexican American, some of whom were not wearing Zoot Suits. It evolved over a period of ten days. Many service members were the ones who began the riots inciting the Zoot Suitors were harassing their women and being assaulted by them. The police refused to...
Words: 809 - Pages: 4
...Professional Communication: Culture Sensitivity James Spring Grand Canyon University Nursing 502 March 13, 2011 Professional Communication: Culture Sensitivity Mexican Americans represent the fastest growing population in the United States, The Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has identified a widening gap in health care for this patient population. I chose this cultural because we are seeing more in our hospital and I have a niece who is married to a Mexican immigrant. My niece has been married for five years and it has been very interesting to learn more about this culture. Summary of Article In the Journal of Emergency Nursing (Jones, 2008) the article Emergency Nurses’ Caring experiences with the Mexican American patient it talks about the health care disparities in the Hispanic population. This was a qualitative study to try and understand emergency nurses experiences when caring for this patient population. The Mexican Americans in this study were individuals with Mexican heritage regardless of citizenship status or duration of residency in the United States. The results were very clear; the language barrier affected all aspects of care. The nurse patient relationship was really only established by the nurse who spoke limited Spanish. The recommendation was to have translators available for these patients around the clock. The Emergency Nurses Association supports culturally competent care and are aware that failure to provide...
Words: 1022 - Pages: 5
...understanding with many aspects of life. Yet, for a poem to transcend time, the author must accomplish one fundamental thing: to create a connection between the poem and the reader. Thus, awakening of the mind, body, and soul. The poems chosen, are an attempt to understand and connect self to a forgotten and at times, unknown culture and heritage. To accomplish the task at hand, the first step was to search for Mexican-American poets. Second step was to find a common theme (culture and heritage) or writing style. Lastly, all of the poems needed to be predominantly in English. With a variety of Mexican-American poets, the task was not as simple, nonetheless, it was accomplished. The following five poems examine the language, symbols and metaphors used by the poets that elicit a deeper understanding of a culture: “187 Reasons Mexicanos Can’t Cross The Border” by Juan Felipe Herrera (688), “Legal Alien” and “Learning English: Chorus in Many Voices” by Pat Mora, “My Name” by Sandra Cisneros, and “I Am Joaquin” by Rodolfo Corky Gonzales. Furthermore they illustrate the struggles of Mexicans in the U.S. and the perseverance required to succeed in a country where we are not entirely welcomed. These literary...
Words: 2007 - Pages: 9
...What is life like for immigrants in the U.S.? (Include at least three details and back up with evidence). About 74% of immigrants planned to stay in the U.S. but about 18% decided they’d move, according to Migration Policy Institute. Immigrants had different experiences when they came to America. Mexicans were “peasants” when they came to America. According to America on the Move, “Mexican peasants, desperate for cash work, were willing to take jobs at wages scorned by most Americans” (“America on the Move”). Some mexicans came to America to have a better life and a job. They took jobs that they didn’t like just to get money. In 1942, a program called “Bracero program” enabled Mexicans to “take temporary agricultural work” in the U.S. In addition, a syrian refugee named Ali Mohammed says, “We are people who want to work, to build a life. If we came to America, that means we are escaping war” (Ali Mohammed, CNN). Living in America made it difficult for immigrants because some people didn’t want them here. Furthermore, according to Marisela from...
Words: 538 - Pages: 3
...prove their ethnicity? My first name, Emily, sounds like a typical American name. Whereas my last name, Martinez, sounds Hispanic. I never thought much of my name, I just viewed it as a way for people to call me. When people told me their ethnicity, I accepted it and never analyzed if they actually portrayed that ethnicity. I identified as Hispanic because I was born in America to Mexican parents. A time in my life that caused me to develop a belief of my cultural identity was when I was accused of not being Mexican enough. This caused me to experience teasing about which ethnicity I am, doubting if I truly demonstrated my ethnicity, and realizing the ethnicity I am, but how that doesn’t define me. Both of my parents were...
Words: 1000 - Pages: 4
...qualities and characteristics as them. My parents have been the biggest influences in regards to my racial identity. They are the ones that raised me under the norms that they were taught when they were growing up. Being part of a working class Mexican American family in the United States, I was raised in a neighborhood that consisted primarily of Mexican Americans. They taught me the culture and history of my relatives back in Mexico in order to make me feel connected to my roots. Teachers in my schools that have had the same racial background as me, have allowed me to learn more about myself. They assisted in allowing me to learn more about...
Words: 705 - Pages: 3
