Coming from a family who is extremely Hispanic, sometimes I feel like my family will never understand the certain things that I do or the way I think. I was born in the United States but my family is from the Dominican Republic. Although I do consider myself Dominican, at the same I feel as if there are many things that I don't relate to or even understand within my own culture.
As a kid, I was always so outgoing and still am. Ever since I can remember I was always doing some random activity at school, either in drama club, cheering, Spanish club or Colorguard so I was never home. My mom never understood that. For example on a typical Thanksgiving day it is a tradition to go out and cheer for your team as a cheerleader, or even when I was involved in Colorguard, my mom had a hard time understanding why I had to go out on Thanksgiving when it is considered a family event.
Even with cousins around the same age as me, they will always tease me or make fun of because of the way I talk or even the way I acted. And this is where it gets annoying, because apparently I talk "too white" or " I am too white." Well I asked myself "what does that mean?" Because I speak very well or because sometimes I'd rather sing Taylor Swift instead of listening to Bachata 24/7?
Growing up it has always been difficult being able to balance both cultures, but I must understand that certain things my family won't understand that it's normal to live in a dorm during your college years, and the idea of studying abroad and staying with strangers it is somewhat difficult for them to grasp.
Sometimes I feel as if I am too "Americanized" for my Hispanic friends, or I am either too "Dominican" for my American friends.
Although for my family I might be too "Americanized," I still think that being able to have an open mind and learning new things makes you a more unique. Yes, I sometimes I tend to listen and jam out to Luke Bryan and other days I am able to jam out to some salsa... But I think it's the best of both worlds and no one should ever feel as if they don't belong.
To the people who understand my daily struggle, you are not alone. Embrace your uniqueness and differences.
