First Born American by Daphne

First Born American by Daphne - June 2014 Scholarship Essay

Writing a book is a soul searching experience. One has to dig deep in order to be authentic. For my book, I would write an autobiographical perspective on what it is to be a first generation American. My family is 100% Mexican. The traditions and culture run in our veins. Spanish was the first language to leave from our mouth. My parents traveled to the United States of America in order to give my younger sister and I a better life. They knew the hardships of famine and almost being in poverty. Their struggles are the foundation of my success and my freedom that bring their blood, sweat, and tears to not be wasted in the depths of an alternate life back in Mexico. My older sister was the first child conceived by my parents. She lived in a simple but harsh life in Mexico for 2 years before moving to the US. After 5 years of settling in to a new country, I was born. The first born American in my immediate family.

Though my parents thought that they would bring their family into a better life in the US, they were surprised to face the reality that each country has its own problems. In my case, it would be the process of discovering my self-identity. Who am I in terms of my race? I was born and raised in the United States so I have an American attitude and perspective. But being raised by Mexican culture and tradition, I have also been raised to have a deep connection to my Mexican heritage and lifestyle that it can be confusing as to who I am since the two cultures clash.

I am not alone in this process. Due to the fact that the United States is a melting pot of race and cultures, many in this country are exposed to this kind of self-doubt. There is more pressure on first generation Americans since we are the first trial in our families. We are the ones who test out the waters on what it is to be born in this country and have to deal with the obstacles in our life. Some obstacles include speaking two or more languages, knowing how to behave in one situation in comparison to another by the means of the cultural standard, and how to balance the two cultures in one’s life.

There is the good and bad in each and every situation. No matter where you are from there are obstacles that await you. Its learning how to deal with them that makes you stronger. With my book, I will give others hope and support in knowing that they are not the only person going through the journey of finding themselves in terms of culture and race. There will be times when it will be challenging to find the rhythm in the balancing act of cultures. But once that middle ground is found, you will have found your true self.