Finding My Roots – Hispanic Heritage Month Edition

“You’re not Spanish, you just look it.”

That’s what fellow Hispanic acquaintances would say to me half in jest and half with distain during my high schools days …

“Sally Sombrero” was the nickname I was given during my college internship. I was the only Latina in our newsroom., I cringed inside every time I was singled out like that ..

I guess I’ve never been your typical Latina, whatever that even means. And I’m not a fan of labels. They don’t usually fit.

The more I learn about my culture and roots and mi gente, I realize there isn’t one typical Hispanic.

We’re all different, but related.

It’s something I experienced while on staff at Latina magazine years ago …

Why do I get so excited about Hispanic Heritage Month now?

Because I now better understand that Positive Representation Matters!

Over the years, I’ve learned to embrace my culture and celebrate being Latina. I enjoy seeing Latinas/os being represented in a positive light and enjoy seeing their accomplishments recognized in various fields.

I’m the godly proud daughter of two super loving parents who came here as hardworking immigrants from their respective countries. I saw them struggle and succeed. That has had a profound impact on me. I so appreciate how supportive my parents have been of my writing endeavors from the start.

While I’ve always had a diverse set of friends, I was usually one of the only Latinas in my field .. starting way back during my time as the reluctant editor in chief of my high school’s newspaper, to my journalism classes in college and grad school, to my newsroom days and my days writing about sports. Even now, I don’t know of many other Christian Latina Authors and Speakers (in English) … I was also usually one of the only Latinas on the five short-term missions trips I went on.

My journey has been a unique one. I’m grateful for how the Lord has wired me and blessed me.

It’s sad when mostly negative stories are presented about mi gente.

While I’m still fascinated by different cultures (um, there’s a reason I was so drawn to the Olympics), this month I’m sending extra hugs to mi gente …

And I’m grateful to the diverse group of people over the years who have helped open doors for this Latina and have come alongside of me to pray me through and cheer me on! And I LOVE that my Readers and those who have attended my events are a diverse group of women and men, young and older and of different backgrounds and in different life stages.

I may share more about culture and roots, etc.. another time. That’s all for now…

You can read a little more about my faith journey and even my struggles with Spanish in By Faith: Adventures and Reflections on Walking With God Here and Abroad, which is available on Amazon.

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