When I was very young my grandfather Fastino, who is from the Philippines, feed me rice and I instantly became a carbohydrate addict. In spite of it all, it was a happy childhood until I was old enough to understand racial prejudges. I was around nine or ten at the time. I’m very glad my parents didn’t live in south Texas; bigotry towards Latinos was exasperating during the twentieth century.
I have some idea of what it is to be caught between two worlds. My birth certificate lists me as Caucasian. However, I was very fortunate enough to learn and appreciated my Mexican heritage. At the same time I could never connect with kids who were very ethic in school. My mother insisted on English only instruction not bi-lingual and very gratified she did. Most of the kids in bi-lingual education usually never make it out of the cultural gutter, very sad.
At work there are some ethnic Mexican co-workers that are surprised I can speak Spanish. This is what I have to live with from time to time along with my brothers. All of my siblings have non-ethnic Mexican friends for the most part. It’s because we’re so Americanized. I did have a time of self-loathing for not being white, that’s behind me now.
There is no desire or motivation for me to visit my ancestral country. All of my relatives live north of the border. The one thing I have that kept me going throughout my life is my Mom. Without her support and prayers I would have never graduated college or entered into relationship with Jesus.
The former newscaster Tom Brokaw wrote a book called “America’s Greatest Generation”. My family’s greatest generation is my Mother. She and her siblings immigrated to the United States, worked and sacrificed for the sake of their children.
I have everything to be grateful to our Father in Heaven and nothing to complaint about!
Be yourself!!! Don't try to fit into someone else's mold, you won't fit!!! And that just leads to utter misery!!! Live life to it's fullest in Christ's love every day!!!
