This is an opportunity to hear stories from those who have actually lived it. These individuals have shared their stories in order to give our readers an insight into the Hispanic and Latin community. This page contains stories on immigration, language and identity that only you can read here. We are here to learn from one another and help improve our community. Enjoy.
Alejandrina Aguilar / Mexico
My name is Alejandrina Aguilar, and I am a 35-year-old Hispanic woman. When asked what being Hispanic means to me is a bit challenging. But let me start out by telling you a little bit about my roots and how they have shaped the woman I am today. My grandfather Camilo, my father’s father, came to the United States as part of the “Bracero” program in the 1920’s. This was a program which allowed Mexican laborers to work in the United States for a limited time as agricultural laborers. He participated in this program several times, and eventually obtained his residency in the United States. While he continued to work in the fields, he allowed my father to come to the United States with him to also work in agriculture...
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My name is Alejandrina Aguilar, and I am a 35-year-old Hispanic woman. When asked what being Hispanic means to me is a bit challenging. But let me start out by telling you a little bit about my roots and how they have shaped the woman I am today. My grandfather Camilo, my father’s father, came to the United States as part of the “Bracero” program in the 1920’s. This was a program which allowed Mexican laborers to work in the United States for a limited time as agricultural laborers. He participated in this program several times, and eventually obtained his residency in the United States. While he continued to work in the fields, he allowed my father to come to the United States with him to also work in agriculture...
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Alyssa Ortiz / Mexico
I am a sixteen year old girl attending Santa Susana High School and I am proud to call myself a Latina. But I won’t lie it took me awhile to understand what being Hispanic meant and understand the fact that I was actually proud to call myself one. Growing up I attended an elementary with mostly white students, and I found myself in situations where I would hide my nationality for the sake of not being different for the sake of fitting in...
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I am a sixteen year old girl attending Santa Susana High School and I am proud to call myself a Latina. But I won’t lie it took me awhile to understand what being Hispanic meant and understand the fact that I was actually proud to call myself one. Growing up I attended an elementary with mostly white students, and I found myself in situations where I would hide my nationality for the sake of not being different for the sake of fitting in...
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Olivia Vargas / Mexico
I remember when I was in grade school I would ask what all the other little kid’s ethnicity were, not because I was genuinely curious but because I wanted to tell them that I was Mexican. I would tell them “My Daddy is from Chihuahua and my Mommy is from England” even though that’s not quite true. My Dad is Chihuahua Mexican, though he was born in Los Angeles, and my mom is Northwestern European, born in Sacramento. I didn’t even know why I was so prideful, I just was. I was always proud of where I came from. I still am...
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I remember when I was in grade school I would ask what all the other little kid’s ethnicity were, not because I was genuinely curious but because I wanted to tell them that I was Mexican. I would tell them “My Daddy is from Chihuahua and my Mommy is from England” even though that’s not quite true. My Dad is Chihuahua Mexican, though he was born in Los Angeles, and my mom is Northwestern European, born in Sacramento. I didn’t even know why I was so prideful, I just was. I was always proud of where I came from. I still am...
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Rory McAllister / Argentina
My son made an odd statement the other day. He said “we’re Argentine and Irish.” I can’t recall the context for the statement or why he said it, but it forced me to open the discussion with him about what we were and why. Being a history teacher (and therefore a collector of odd and occasionally irrelevant facts), I took the opportunity to tell my son a story. I told him how there were really only two major places the boats went when our ancestors left Ireland during The Famine.
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My son made an odd statement the other day. He said “we’re Argentine and Irish.” I can’t recall the context for the statement or why he said it, but it forced me to open the discussion with him about what we were and why. Being a history teacher (and therefore a collector of odd and occasionally irrelevant facts), I took the opportunity to tell my son a story. I told him how there were really only two major places the boats went when our ancestors left Ireland during The Famine.
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Marie Pablo / El Salvador
Ever since i was little, it was eggs, beans and tortillas at my house for breakfast, lunch and dinner. No questions asked. I never asked why or complained because it was with that food that my family bonded and indulged in the stories of my father, my abuelita and my tios life in El Salvador. When i had asked my abuela to help me with this, she told me with prideful eyes she always knew in her heart i was the grandchild who took interest in my culture the most and showed that i was always interested in hearing more stories and cultural differences between my father and mothers lives.
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Ever since i was little, it was eggs, beans and tortillas at my house for breakfast, lunch and dinner. No questions asked. I never asked why or complained because it was with that food that my family bonded and indulged in the stories of my father, my abuelita and my tios life in El Salvador. When i had asked my abuela to help me with this, she told me with prideful eyes she always knew in her heart i was the grandchild who took interest in my culture the most and showed that i was always interested in hearing more stories and cultural differences between my father and mothers lives.
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Nubia Varguez / Mexico
Spanglish is a real thing. Grammatically speaking, it obviously isn’t, but it’s what I would use to describe how I speak to my family. It’s not quite English, it's not quite Spanish. For me, a young Mexican girl who learned how to speak English and now has a hard time speaking Spanish, spanglish gets me through many conversations. It’s an effort.
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Spanglish is a real thing. Grammatically speaking, it obviously isn’t, but it’s what I would use to describe how I speak to my family. It’s not quite English, it's not quite Spanish. For me, a young Mexican girl who learned how to speak English and now has a hard time speaking Spanish, spanglish gets me through many conversations. It’s an effort.
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Christian Arceo / Mexico
You never think about how important your culture is to you, until you grow up and realize how much it has shaped you into the person you are. I grew up in Southern California where there’s a little bit of Latin Flavor on every corner. Whether it’s the hard working raspado man, wheeling his cart for miles a day to make a living or the friendly lady selling Tamales at the gas station at 5 in the morning to the labor workers as they stop for their morning coffee. Though Hispanic culture was all around me, nothing compared to my experiences and lessons I was taught at home.
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You never think about how important your culture is to you, until you grow up and realize how much it has shaped you into the person you are. I grew up in Southern California where there’s a little bit of Latin Flavor on every corner. Whether it’s the hard working raspado man, wheeling his cart for miles a day to make a living or the friendly lady selling Tamales at the gas station at 5 in the morning to the labor workers as they stop for their morning coffee. Though Hispanic culture was all around me, nothing compared to my experiences and lessons I was taught at home.
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Ana El Beleidy / Colombia
My story in this country [the USA] didn’t begin with me. My road was paved for me by my mom’s older sister, Soledad Aragón Triviño, who came to the USA back in the 1970’s. She came as most people from my country do: A tourist visa, not a word of English, no money in her pockets, and big expectations. She cleaned houses for people when she first arrived. She then married a man with the last name of Ellis and that’s how she became “legal”.
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My story in this country [the USA] didn’t begin with me. My road was paved for me by my mom’s older sister, Soledad Aragón Triviño, who came to the USA back in the 1970’s. She came as most people from my country do: A tourist visa, not a word of English, no money in her pockets, and big expectations. She cleaned houses for people when she first arrived. She then married a man with the last name of Ellis and that’s how she became “legal”.
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Victor Arceo / Mexico
Answering the questions of 'What makes you proud to call yourself Hispanic?,' 'Have you faced any complications or struggles because of your race?,' and 'Having two young children, who are also Hispanic, do you make it a priority to teach them traditions of the Hispanic culture?'
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Answering the questions of 'What makes you proud to call yourself Hispanic?,' 'Have you faced any complications or struggles because of your race?,' and 'Having two young children, who are also Hispanic, do you make it a priority to teach them traditions of the Hispanic culture?'
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Camille Fletes / Mexico
I am 3rd generation Mexican American. My grandparents were born in Los Angeles, California. Their parents were from Mexico however, I never met them. My grandparents had 8 children, 5 boys and 3 girls. They lived in a 2 bedroom home in Santa Monica with all of their children. My grandmother and grandfather were hard workers. They moved to Simi Valley in the 1970’s because it was a very small town and they wanted to keep their children out of trouble.
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I am 3rd generation Mexican American. My grandparents were born in Los Angeles, California. Their parents were from Mexico however, I never met them. My grandparents had 8 children, 5 boys and 3 girls. They lived in a 2 bedroom home in Santa Monica with all of their children. My grandmother and grandfather were hard workers. They moved to Simi Valley in the 1970’s because it was a very small town and they wanted to keep their children out of trouble.
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Canter Duran / Mexico
Growing up, I had never associated being Hispanic as being a part of an entire culture with its own set of values, language, and heritage. I was never able to connect to my family in Mexico or other Hispanics on a cultural level. I feel that this is heavily due to the fact that I did not learn how to speak or interpret Spanish until my sophomore year of high school.
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Growing up, I had never associated being Hispanic as being a part of an entire culture with its own set of values, language, and heritage. I was never able to connect to my family in Mexico or other Hispanics on a cultural level. I feel that this is heavily due to the fact that I did not learn how to speak or interpret Spanish until my sophomore year of high school.
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Faith Arceo / Mexico
When I was little I didn't think much of my culture and thought of being hispanic as just a term people used to call other people, but as I got older I realized that it is way more than just a term.Throughout Elementary school other hispanic kids around me would call each other names like “beaner” and other words like that.
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When I was little I didn't think much of my culture and thought of being hispanic as just a term people used to call other people, but as I got older I realized that it is way more than just a term.Throughout Elementary school other hispanic kids around me would call each other names like “beaner” and other words like that.
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Jennifer Arceo / Mexico
As a little girl I never really understood or notice difference in color or in standings of what made my family different. All I knew is my household was always full, we had paintings of the first supper and a statue of the Virgin Mary, we always had beans on the stove, Spanish music playing and plenty of family always watching over us.
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As a little girl I never really understood or notice difference in color or in standings of what made my family different. All I knew is my household was always full, we had paintings of the first supper and a statue of the Virgin Mary, we always had beans on the stove, Spanish music playing and plenty of family always watching over us.
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Gabriela Michel / Mexico
When I think of what the Hispanic community represents as a whole, I think of the obstacles and challenges many had to face and overcome when immigrating to ‘El Norte’ in efforts to create a better life. Grit, resilience and courage deeply describe the hardworking people within the community and their continuous efforts for more.
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When I think of what the Hispanic community represents as a whole, I think of the obstacles and challenges many had to face and overcome when immigrating to ‘El Norte’ in efforts to create a better life. Grit, resilience and courage deeply describe the hardworking people within the community and their continuous efforts for more.
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Vanessa Colorado / Mexico
What being Latin means to me? It.s hard to write this and put together all my thoughts and emotions into one page. Its assumptions of when I was younger that because I look Latin that I was part of a gang when I wasn’t. It means being told that I don’t “look Mexican” by a gentleman because he said “ I wasn’t dark and short” were his words.
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What being Latin means to me? It.s hard to write this and put together all my thoughts and emotions into one page. Its assumptions of when I was younger that because I look Latin that I was part of a gang when I wasn’t. It means being told that I don’t “look Mexican” by a gentleman because he said “ I wasn’t dark and short” were his words.
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Yvette Lopez /Mexico
My parents immigrated to the United States from Jalisco, Mexico. I was born and raised in Simi Valley, California, and my parents and grandparents are a constant inspiration to me. My mom’s parents - my grandparents - came to the united states in the early 1970’s. They worked odd jobs and lived in rough conditions to make enough money for my mom and her sister to move to the US as well.
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My parents immigrated to the United States from Jalisco, Mexico. I was born and raised in Simi Valley, California, and my parents and grandparents are a constant inspiration to me. My mom’s parents - my grandparents - came to the united states in the early 1970’s. They worked odd jobs and lived in rough conditions to make enough money for my mom and her sister to move to the US as well.
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Norma Rodriguez / Mexico
I was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. I came to the U.S. when I was seven years old, with my two oldest brothers as immigrants. When I came here my parents were already in the U.S., a few years prior to us coming. And we had moved straight to the small town of Simi Valley.
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I was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. I came to the U.S. when I was seven years old, with my two oldest brothers as immigrants. When I came here my parents were already in the U.S., a few years prior to us coming. And we had moved straight to the small town of Simi Valley.
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Sharlena Piña / Mexico
I'm privileged today to share my story about my Hispanic heritage. I grew up in a home were Spanish was our primary language, and was cared by my two cousins. I was born in Los Angeles, and my family moved to Simi Valley when my mom was expecting my younger sister.
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I'm privileged today to share my story about my Hispanic heritage. I grew up in a home were Spanish was our primary language, and was cared by my two cousins. I was born in Los Angeles, and my family moved to Simi Valley when my mom was expecting my younger sister.
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Christopher Down / Mexico
The story of my Hispanic life is probably gonna be different from probably all of the others. Out of my family, my mom is the one who gives me the Hispanic blood that I have been caught gloating about to many, many people. The only problem is that in her own family, she was the baby, the one who had been given the least amount of culture, and the least amount of Spanish lessons unlike her sisters.
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The story of my Hispanic life is probably gonna be different from probably all of the others. Out of my family, my mom is the one who gives me the Hispanic blood that I have been caught gloating about to many, many people. The only problem is that in her own family, she was the baby, the one who had been given the least amount of culture, and the least amount of Spanish lessons unlike her sisters.
To continue reading click HERE
Nidia Santiago / Mexico
Being Hispanic to me, means unconditional love, family, hard work, perseverance, food, music. I come from a huge Mexican family of immigrants from both sides of my family. I watched as my parents, aunts and uncles worked hard, some of the ladies took care of the families and also worked from home for extra income to help the husbands provide for the families.
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Being Hispanic to me, means unconditional love, family, hard work, perseverance, food, music. I come from a huge Mexican family of immigrants from both sides of my family. I watched as my parents, aunts and uncles worked hard, some of the ladies took care of the families and also worked from home for extra income to help the husbands provide for the families.
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Nesto Santiago / Mexico
Being Hispanic: Is paying respect to our forefathers that had to work very hard in the sunny fields to provide for the family, Open those doors of opportunity for us to become somebody in our life and for us to not struggle in our future like they did. I remember working with my dad yard work in the sun when I was young.
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Being Hispanic: Is paying respect to our forefathers that had to work very hard in the sunny fields to provide for the family, Open those doors of opportunity for us to become somebody in our life and for us to not struggle in our future like they did. I remember working with my dad yard work in the sun when I was young.
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Diana Rojas Matinez / Nicaragua
I came to USA when I was 15 years old, I didn’t know any English at all! I came legal waited years for my papers but finally was approved and came direct from Nicaragua to US. I was excited to be here but knew it came with challenges, I felt bless I had light/power that didn’t go off at night, I had water to drink that was not cut off at 5pm, I actually had warm water to shower, food MEATS that I could eat any day of the week not just Sundays, I could actually buy me clothes anytime I wanted not wait for my birthday to get them or Christmas.
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I came to USA when I was 15 years old, I didn’t know any English at all! I came legal waited years for my papers but finally was approved and came direct from Nicaragua to US. I was excited to be here but knew it came with challenges, I felt bless I had light/power that didn’t go off at night, I had water to drink that was not cut off at 5pm, I actually had warm water to shower, food MEATS that I could eat any day of the week not just Sundays, I could actually buy me clothes anytime I wanted not wait for my birthday to get them or Christmas.
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Sandra Aguilar / Mexico
Being Hispanic is knowing you are part of this huge community that has each other’s backs regardless of what part of the world we come from. We are all related, and not necessarily by blood, but automatically see each other as family. As soon as we make some type of connection with someone, we label each other as primos, tios, tias and compadres.
To continue reading click HERE
Being Hispanic is knowing you are part of this huge community that has each other’s backs regardless of what part of the world we come from. We are all related, and not necessarily by blood, but automatically see each other as family. As soon as we make some type of connection with someone, we label each other as primos, tios, tias and compadres.
To continue reading click HERE
Daisy Aleman / Mexico
As a 1st generation Mexican American and 2nd in the my family to obtain a Bachelors and Masters Degree I can't emphasize enough how there is nothing more powerful than an educated woman. In my opinion, it is important that women, especially Latin women, strive to educate ourselves as much as possible.
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As a 1st generation Mexican American and 2nd in the my family to obtain a Bachelors and Masters Degree I can't emphasize enough how there is nothing more powerful than an educated woman. In my opinion, it is important that women, especially Latin women, strive to educate ourselves as much as possible.
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Ivonne Herńandez / El Salvador
I came to the United States at the age of 8 with my mother from El Salvador. Los Angeles was a very strange place different cultures, people of light skin, dark skin and brown skin. It wasn't easy to adjust to life in a different country learn a different language and make new friends. It was lonely.
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I came to the United States at the age of 8 with my mother from El Salvador. Los Angeles was a very strange place different cultures, people of light skin, dark skin and brown skin. It wasn't easy to adjust to life in a different country learn a different language and make new friends. It was lonely.
To continue reading click HERE
Karla Arceo / El Salvador
Hi my name is Karla Arceo and for me being Hispanic is a celebration in richness of history, cultures. We as Hispanic carry and bring a contribution to whatever country we stand,live and work for. We are hard working people who are filled with positive influence bringing an influence in our communities through our strong community to family,faith,hard work and service. We have enhanced and shaped character that reflects in our multicultural customs in our communities.
To continue reading click HERE
Hi my name is Karla Arceo and for me being Hispanic is a celebration in richness of history, cultures. We as Hispanic carry and bring a contribution to whatever country we stand,live and work for. We are hard working people who are filled with positive influence bringing an influence in our communities through our strong community to family,faith,hard work and service. We have enhanced and shaped character that reflects in our multicultural customs in our communities.
To continue reading click HERE
Joanna Casale / El Salvador
My culture is important to myself as well as those before me because my family has undergone and overcome hardships to get to where we are today. My mother was born and raised on a small hilltop in Santa Teresa, El Salvador, an impoverished country where education and resources were extremely limited.
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My culture is important to myself as well as those before me because my family has undergone and overcome hardships to get to where we are today. My mother was born and raised on a small hilltop in Santa Teresa, El Salvador, an impoverished country where education and resources were extremely limited.
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Adrian Arceo / Mexico
My life started in the 80’s, I was born and raised in the city of Arleta, California.
I believe almost every Hispanic Family has a very similar story from having someone in the family believing in the bigger picture and wanting more for themselves and their families so they come to the US seeking a better opportunity. And that was my dad striving for more to provide for my mother and my oldest brother, who was the only one of four to be born in Mexico.
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My life started in the 80’s, I was born and raised in the city of Arleta, California.
I believe almost every Hispanic Family has a very similar story from having someone in the family believing in the bigger picture and wanting more for themselves and their families so they come to the US seeking a better opportunity. And that was my dad striving for more to provide for my mother and my oldest brother, who was the only one of four to be born in Mexico.
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Marisol Chavez / Colombia & Mexico
I was 2 weeks old when I was brought to the United States by my mother. My father was already here but didn’t have a place for us to live. He worked at a restaurant from 9am to 10pm Monday thru Sunday the owner offered my mom a job as a nanny and I grew up there until the age of 4. Then we moved and we live in a 4 bedroom house with 4 other families.
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I was 2 weeks old when I was brought to the United States by my mother. My father was already here but didn’t have a place for us to live. He worked at a restaurant from 9am to 10pm Monday thru Sunday the owner offered my mom a job as a nanny and I grew up there until the age of 4. Then we moved and we live in a 4 bedroom house with 4 other families.
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Gilberto Moreno / Mexico
I immigrated with my father to the United States when I was 15 years old from Michoacan, Mexico. I left everything I knew behind: my mother, siblings, friends, the dream of becoming an attorney... and my father once we arrived to Woodlake, California. My main objectives were to improve my life and the lives of my loved ones. After 19 years of residing in this great nation, I can honestly tell you that I have achieved my goals.
To continue reading click HERE
I immigrated with my father to the United States when I was 15 years old from Michoacan, Mexico. I left everything I knew behind: my mother, siblings, friends, the dream of becoming an attorney... and my father once we arrived to Woodlake, California. My main objectives were to improve my life and the lives of my loved ones. After 19 years of residing in this great nation, I can honestly tell you that I have achieved my goals.
To continue reading click HERE