I recognize how I am perceived

by those who do not know ME.

I am seen as the benefactor

of an unjust system of oppression

meant to divide people and

benefit those who look like me.

Yet I am more than the singular box

strangers use to label me

I am from both the oppressor and oppressed

I am from both the colonized and the colonizer

I am from both the Spanish Conquistadores

and the indigenous groups that they

Enslaved, Raped, Murdered, and Persecuted. 

I recognize that I benefit from systems

which hurt and continue to hurt people like

my parents, grandparents, great-grandparents,

and millions around the world each day; 

even though I benefit from oppressive systems

because of the color of my skin. 

But I will not sit here and have another identity crisis

I have shed too many tears over the opinions 

of people who don’t even know my name

saying that 

“You can’t be Mexican, you’re white!”

as though Mexican is a race. 

Interrogating me with questions such as

“Why don’t you look or act Mexican?”

As if there is a set way that

Mexicans are supposed to look, act or talk.

I am sorry that I can’t roll my r’s 

As if not doing so makes me any less Mexican

No, WE are Mexican and WE are 

diverse, unique, and beautiful!

And to my fellow Mexicanos, Chicanos, and Latinos;

if you too have ever felt

as though you weren’t 

Mexican or Latino enough;

I see you and you are beautiful

and you are perfect as you are.