Celebrating Identity

May 1st to May 31st is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and today is Cinco de Mayo both very are very important to me. Why?

I was born in the Philippines and was adopted and came to this country at age 2 by a couple of US citizens (the woman was Hispanic/Mexican and the man was Caucasian).

I identify more with the Hispanic/Mexican community because that is how I was raised. I was raised with Mexican values and in the culture. In fact, my school friends still forget that I'm Asian by blood and consider me Mexican. The Mexican heritage is very important to me. Without my Grandparents, Tias, Tios, and Primas and Primos, I would not have this part of my identity. 

I like to keep learning so I was researching Asian American Heritage month and found that

according to Google '"Hispanic Asian" or "Asian Hispanic" refers to individuals of Asian ancestry who also identify as Hispanic or Latino, meaning they have a connection to Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America."

Please celebrate that this country is able to have multifaceted, multicultural residents and that we can all learn from each other. We have opportunities to learn about other cultures and heritages and no longer need to be "ashamed" or segregated because of who we are. We can now get to know the individual rather than just forming prejudices. 

Happy Cinco de Mayo and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month!

From your friendly Hispanic Asian!

Blessings,

Sarah

Proud Owner/Photographer of Unspoken Images Photography