As a 12th generation native of the American Southwest, my roots in this country stretch back before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock or before America declared its independence. Like many other American Latinos today, I learned about my heritage firsthand through the cuentos, or stories, passed down by my parents and grandparents.
From the heroic service of my father and mother during World War II to my brother’s tireless work alongside César Chavez, the tales of my family’s past have always been a great source of identity and pride for me. It is a pride I carry with me every day, and it is a pride I will one day share with my granddaughter.
Every family has stories like these – stories that provide a deeper understanding of where we are from and what we have done to make this country what it is today. It is time that these stories, like those of my parents and brother, are shared beyond our families and reflected in our national narrative.
Fonte: White House