Re: [ranchos] Re: double surnames and Cultural Identity

[Margarita Vallazza <TeaCozyGran@...>]

Jofes, I never knew you were BORN in Mexico.  Where were you born?  Memarge:)
On Jan 22, 2006, at 6:03 AM, Joseph Puentes wrote:

> depending on who's asking and what I'm feeling I'll ask the question 
> when asked what I am:
>
> "Are you asking what my ethnicity is or what my nationality is?"
>
> Most of the time I say I am Mexican born in San Jose, CA
>
> I just move on and let them figure it out, but their next word better 
> not be, "But. . ." because then I'll give them a lesson about who was 
> here first and how Mexican people should not be considered "New" to the 
> United States. And who would they consider the true owners to be and how 
> would they feel about the ownership of property if someone stole it from 
> them.
>
> And yes my skin can become pretty light especially over the winter when 
> I stay inside most of the time, but let me get out into my garden and I 
> almond up pretty good. But don't let anyone call me "white". . .one day 
> this black woman  saw me eating Churches Chicken and she said, "Come on 
> Joe white people don't eat churches." Well they never called me white 
> again and I even heard that woman (in my presence) telling another 
> co-worker that I wasn't white.
>
> but 95% of the time i simply say, "I am Mexican born in San Jose, CA"
>
> joseph
>
>
>
> -- 
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