Cherríe Moraga: "You're Not Really Mexican, Are You?"

Summary

In this reflective account, the speaker shares their experiences growing up as one of the few mixed-race children in a predominantly Mexican family. They grapple with their identity, feeling torn between their Mexican heritage and the privileges associated with being perceived as smarter due to their mixed background. The speaker discusses the struggle of feeling like an outsider, both racially and socially, and highlights how their identity as a lesbian further deepened their understanding of themselves. This journey of self-acceptance reveals the complexities of race, privilege, and familial ties in shaping one's identity.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker and their siblings were the only mixed-race children in their family, which created a unique identity experience.
• 🌍 The speaker desired to fit in and be perceived as 'brown,' reflecting a strong connection to their Mexican heritage.
• 📚 They recognized a difference in treatment compared to their Mexican classmates, often feeling assumptions about their intelligence.
• 💼 The pressure to succeed was linked to social dynamics, suggesting that privilege can influence opportunities and choices.
• ⚖️ The speaker felt a conflict between their identity as a mixed-race individual and their love for their Mexican heritage.
• 🗣️ They encountered challenges in asserting their identity, facing questions about their authenticity as Mexican.
• 🌈 The speaker's sexual orientation as a lesbian significantly influenced their understanding of their racial identity.
• 👨‍👧‍👦 Their relationship with their father was positive, but their Mexican relatives played a more formative role in their upbringing.
• 💔 The experience of feeling like a 'sellout' for embracing different aspects of their identity was a recurring theme.
• 🧩 Overall, the speaker's journey reflects the complexities of navigating multiple identities within family and society.

Q & A

What is the speaker's background in terms of family ethnicity?

The speaker is mixed race, with a father of a different ethnicity and Mexican heritage from their mother.

How did the speaker feel about their racial identity growing up?

The speaker felt a strong desire to identify as brown, associating it with home and belonging, but also experienced disconnection due to their mixed background.

What observations did the speaker make regarding treatment differences among peers?

The speaker noted that they were often treated differently than their Mexican classmates, with assumptions about being smarter and receiving encouragement to associate with white peers.

What internal conflict did the speaker experience regarding their identity?

The speaker struggled with feelings of betrayal towards their Mexican heritage, as others questioned their authenticity and identity.

How did the speaker's identity evolve over time?

The speaker's understanding of their identity deepened significantly after embracing their sexuality, leading to a broader awareness of their racial identity.

What role did the speaker's family play in their life?

The speaker had a profound relationship with their Mexican relatives, who were influential in shaping their understanding of identity, in contrast to their relationship with their father.

What does the speaker suggest about privilege and access?

The speaker highlights that privilege can provide greater access to opportunities, such as education and success, suggesting a trade-off in terms of cultural identity.

In what ways did the speaker fight for their identity as a child?

As a child, the speaker actively defended their Mexican identity against peers who doubted it, indicating a strong desire to affirm their cultural background.

How did the speaker reconcile their mixed heritage with their experiences?

The speaker acknowledged their mixed heritage while also embracing their Mexican roots, indicating a complex relationship with both aspects of their identity.

What is the significance of the speaker's relationship with their father?

The speaker has a good relationship with their father, but emphasizes that it is not as formative to their identity as their experiences with their Mexican relatives.