Lately, there have been a lot of negative comments about the Mexican people. Ignorant words are being spoken on national television, and as a Mexican woman, it's saddening to hear so much judgement of my culture and of my people. I was born and raised in San Diego County. From my house, it's only a ten-minute drive to the border between United States and Tijuana, Mexico. I was able to experience the best of both worlds as a child because I lived near the country where my mom was born.

I spent a lot of time in Mexico growing up, and I came to view it as my second home. I experienced a beautiful and lively childhood with my cousins in Mexico. We lit firecrackers, played hide-and-seek with the kids on the block, ran through graveyards, and enjoyed time without television or internet. While Mexico is impoverished, it holds a beauty to me that some people could never begin to understand. How can a country that is economically poor be beautiful? It's beautiful because Mexico has a culture so rich that it is uniquely Mexico's. The one thing I have noted about my culture is that no matter how poor we may be, if you are a guest in our homes, we will treat you with the utmost respect. My mother made good friends while she lived in Mexico. Those friends stayed by her side throughout her childhood and throughout our lives. We were always welcome in "Abuelita" Linda's house. Her house was open to whoever would come in and she would feed all of us until our stomachs were full. The house was full of family, and laughter was everywhere. There was always food in front of us. To me, that is what the Mexican culture is.

The Mexican people welcome strangers into their homes and even if they may not have enough for themselves, they have enough to give.

Mexicans are durable, and they work hard to provide for their families because family is everything. It's hard to describe a country that deeply holds my heart. I love the United States and I am proud to be American, but I am also very proud to be Mexican. I am proud to be Mexican because that part of my identity is what taught me that family is important and that being kind to strangers is a must. Why shouldn't I be proud to be a part of a culture that deeply values family and friends, and makes darn good food?

To cast judgment on Mexicans and to lump all of us into a single category is unfair. There are bad people all over the world, not just in Mexico. We are hardworking people. We love our families, and we love our culture. The country of Mexico has a lot to work on, but there is a beauty to it that is indescribable. So, I ask that the next time you make judgement on any culture that you think twice before speaking. Take the time to be educated on a culture before you speak illy of it.