American Woman?

The man is speaking French behind me and it is making me crave a latte and a crepe. I don't think a latte is a French item, but it just sounds good with a crepe.

This is the beauty of having a laptop-- well borrowing a friend's laptop while he and mi novio play Call of Duty. Either way I have the convenience of a laptop to write these thoughts down while simultaneously answering my own uncertainty--like the origin of the latte. Which I was able to look up right now in the middle of writing this to discover it is Italian. Figures. It seems like a Fascist kind of drink.

I'm Italian so maybe that's why I like Lattes. Does that also make me a Fascist? I would never identify myself as a Fascist. So I would like to formally state that I like lattes, but I am not, nor was ever, a Fascist.

My Great Grandfather was from Italy. Some small town I am not too sure of its name, but my cousin told me he was embarrassed of Mussolini. Which is a part of why I think my Grandmother (NONA) was so "Americanized". She was very proud to be an American and think some of that had to do with her Father being happy to be in America.

My Grandfather (TATA) too. He was a war Veteran and so were all of his brothers. I think my Tata's pride coupled with my Nona's was what made our family such Americanized- Mexicans.

Sometimes it’s weird to say I am Mexican because I don't really feel like what someone may call a "true" Mexican. To be in a Mexican family who upholds certain Mexican traditions with many American ones has had a huge impact on my identity. And not in a bad way, even though some may think that's bad. But I am here in AMERICA! Is it my fault if I am AMERICAN!? I also have a Caucasian Mother so I am probably more of a Colonizer than a Native and not by choice!

Some Mexicans may prefer me to be more Mexican, or it may make them angry, or I may be a "sell-out". To white people I may not be white enough for them or American enough--whatever one may be thinking. To either one I say--get over it! I have European and Mestizo in my blood and I'm American. I love what I am and I love my family. Although I have been confused with my identity my whole life I love every part of my ethnicity--however it may break down throughout my double helix.

I am somewhat suspicious that my ass is African.

Just sayin’...

[FUN FACT: My Tia Cha Cha, my Tata's baby sister, was born on the fourth of July.]