I went to go watch the film "Hands of Stone" the other day. My family loves Roberto Duran. For a long time, I thought it was because of how he fought. He talked a lot and was very machismo. He went out there and boxed with his heavy hands. He had this hunger, this passion that drove him. It wasn't until I saw this film when I understood why they loved him.

Coming from a Latino background, I understood the issues of machismo. You have to fight like a man. You have to show how tough you are. You fight, you don't play around. It isn't a show, it's a way of living. I understood every bit of this. But I strongly connected to Roberto Duran because of why he boxed.

I'm a second generation American from my mother's side. My grandparents came from Mexico. I don't have a reason to bring pride to Mexico. I don't have to prove to Americans that Mexicans are better. I saw Duran's story and saw his struggle. I understood why he didn't like Americans. I understood that he thought his country was being taken from him and the only way for him to win it back and to show Panama was theirs was to beat the best.

I'm not saying I'd fight to show that Mexicans are the best. No, no. I connect because even as an American, I have to show that because of what my heritage is, it doesn't make me anything less. We as Americans divide ourselves. We do not hold ourselves together as Americans like how Panama's people did. Against everyone else, we're Americans. Within our country, we are divided.

I'm okay with this. I've learned to accept it. And this division has motivated me to prove not only to my Chicano people, but to all Americans that just because I'm Latina, doesn't mean I can't run the world. I want to be a screenwriter, a novelist, and the voice of my people. I want the world to see that I have a heart full of passion and drive.

Duran had the spirit of a fighter. He had Panama filled in his heart. He was Panama and he fought not just for himself, but for his people. In that ring, it wasn't just fighting against Duran. No. In that ring, it was fighting against a whole nation.

I understood. I write because I want not just my voice to be heard, but my people as well. I scream for them. I roar for the silent, the frightened, and the brave. I am filled with passion and with pride. I now understand why my family loved Duran. Now, I do too.