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Politics and Activism

The Journey To Find Me, And How You Can Find Yourself, Too

My DNA under the microscope.

Arleth Pamela Uranga

Feb 19, 2018

Friends University Kansas State University

143

The Journey To Find Me, And How You Can Find Yourself, Too

Arleth Uranga

This journey began not too long ago. I was sitting with some friends and we started talking about our culture and heritage, and I said "Yeah, I love being Mexican," and there was a bit of silence until one of them bravely spoke up.

"Ummm, actually, you don't look Mexican, you look like you're Pacific Islander."

I began to wonder if I was ethnically ambiguous to everyone who didn't know me very well. I asked my parents about our DNA and our ancestry, and since our families (both maternal and paternal) had very humble beginnings in Mexico, there was a doubt that I could even find birth certificates for my grandparents.

I looked for a while, but I wasn't persistent about it, mostly because Ancesrty.com charges about $32 a month for international public records. I kept asking my paternal grandmother if she remembered any information about my grandfather's family or hers. She gave me some names, but she was only able to go as far as her parents and my grandfather's grandparents (aka my great grandparents.)

Fast-forward to December of 2017 when I had just enough money left over from Christmas and Hanukkah gifts to buy a little something for me. I was debating whether I wanted new clothes or a new pair of shoes, and, as you know when you are shopping online, you normally are playing Netflix, Hulu, or YouTube.

I was watching some YouTube videos when an ad came on, and it really spoke to me. It was with my mom talking about her ancestry and her health, and I automatically looked up at my laptop and watched the video. (I won't bore you with the long details. Instead, I'll link the video here.)

A few days later I received a package in the mail. It contained the test tube where I was supposed to place my DNA. After what felt like the longest 5 weeks of my life I got an email saying "Your results are ready." I didn't know whether to cry or laugh! The point is that I logged into my 23andMe account and saw my results. The percentages blurred and then became clear again, I was too excited for them.

I looked them over and over trying to make sense of it all, I was still baffled. Knowing how Mexicans came to be, I expected certain numbers, but others really blew me away. I won't put long numbers in or try to explain them but if I had any advice for my friends it would be "Get you ancestry checked out because you never know what you're going to find."

Though I did my ancestry with 23andMe (because you also get the health option,) there are also other services, including AncestryDNA.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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