My whole life my racial identity has always been a question mark for people. Oftentimes people try to guess my ethnicity from Middle Eastern to black and white.
However, it’s not often people guess my true ethnicity. I am a Mexican and African American woman who is proud of both of my cultures.
Speaking to my Grandpa and hearing his life journey just made me appreciate who I am and where I come from even more. My grandpa, known as Jose Tamez, is from Ciudad Mier, Mexico born in 1944 and raised until he and his family migrated to Grandview, Washington.
My great-grandpa, Edelmiro Tamez worked in the fields and worked multiple jobs to support his family. He also was a part of the Bracero program so that he could provide for his family during that time. Jose Tamez my grandpa then soon followed in his footsteps by working multiple jobs and picking crops in the field.
Hearing this from my Grandpa honestly upset me at first that my family, my ancestors had to live like that to survive because they were born brown.
Growing up I never realized all the trauma and struggles my grandpa went through because every time I saw him he had a smile on his face. He was happy to be around his family and those are some of my favorite memories growing up.
I knew my mom grew up poor and my grandpa did his all to provide for his six children and his wife at the time but I never realized how far my family has come. My grandpa was an illegal immigrant for 36 years and now he owns his own home and has a retirement plan where he can live comfortably.
I also realized how fortunate I am to have him as my grandpa. He worked hard so that my mom could have a better life and my mom did the same for me.
I would not be where I am today if it was not for my grandpa Tamez. I am astonished by the way he continues to live life with a smile on his face after all that he has been through. From not being able to work certain jobs to the constant discrimination he faced due to being Mexican. He told me that he was raised to understand the importance of family and how no matter what struggles they faced, they faced it together.
They were taught to appreciate each other and realize how that is a blessing within itself to be surrounded by people who understand what it means to be family.
Talking with my grandpa made me understand that no matter what struggles you may face your family will always be there and to never forget where you came from. I come from a family that works hard through diversity and chooses to love instead of hate
where they come from. I am proud to be able to say coming from the Tamez family is an honor.
I plan to continue to honor my family by continuing the legacy to be better for my future family one day.
People may not know where I come from but I do.
