Where are you from?

          Often I am asked where am I from I immediately think Los Angeles, California born and raised. Then they ask if I am Mexican, since everyone that looks Latino/Hispanic is immediately put in that category, but I am not I have Salvadoran blood in me. Both of my parents were born in El Salvador. Of course if you tell someone who was born in El Salvador that you are Salvadoran they will laugh at you and call you a fake "Salvie." Growing up I didn't think it was such a big deal to just identify myself as an American since I was born in the States. As I got older and discovered that there was a side of me that had this beautiful culture, customs and traditions, I had to make sure that I became familiar with this part of me. In college I took Central American Studies courses where I learned the struggle that was the civil war in the 80's in El Salvador the reason my mother was so desperate to get out of the country she had known her whole life. Next I learned about migration and where people who come to the U.S. find a home. I find it a it funny because where I live is like "Little Central America" there are a lot of Guatemalans, Salvadoreans, a few Hondurans and of course Mexicans. Around our neighborhood you'll find many restaurants that serve plates that are common in their countries' as well as shops. There is so much culture. The United States is definitely a melting pot. Just today I a person who was born here with Salvadoran blood is familiar with the Irish Holiday that is St. Patrick's Day.

          Here in the United States the land that was once taken care of by Native Americans, which was taken over by the British so that later we could gain independence. Do you still follow? Now this country is home to people from all over the world, the land where "American Dreams" come true.