They ask me to write down
My race

And i think
And think
Very seriously

And consider
Writing down the truth
And have my answer read

I have...
A grandmother
Graciela Michelle Magdalena Camberos
Very hard worker from the age of 12
Did not have much of a wealthy life
Married the love of her life whole stole her
As she got older she would always smile and say.
"Un chocolatito nunca le hace dano a nadien"

I have...

A mother,
Maria Emma Camberos
Born Februay 5, in Tijuana
She is a hard worker
She's always helped my grandmother since the age of 12
She is a good influence on me
When she was young she never had the privilages i have today
She had to stay at home instead of pursuing an education
And help with younger siblings at home.

I have...

A father
Manuel Alonso Esparza
Born October 25, in Aguascalientes
My dad holds a very important influence in my life
He has always been a hard workersince the age of 10
Waking up when the sun rises, to help his father bring in the cattle
To be fed, his fathers right hand to help with anything he could
And helping out with the rest of the family with cheese and butter making

I have...

Never had difficulties with my cultural status
Everyone around me was just like me

I have all these...
Traditions with food, music, gatherings...
Like tortillas de harina, frijoles and arroz.
Music styles such as Corridos, rancheras
And artists like Vicente Fernandez, jenny Rivera, Miguel y Miguel.
Family gatherings can't happen without posole, mole, menudo or birria.

They ask me to write down
My race
And i think
Very seriously

And consider
Writing down the truth
And have my answer read

I have...

A story, the story of "The Mexican Boogie-borders"
Before i was born, my father mother and 3 older sibling
Traveled to the beach where they gathered with my Tia Licha and 4 cousins
While out in the water the piece of wood used as a boogie-board started to sink
Toro (my cousin) who does not know how to swim and was not wearing a life jacket
Was sinking. My mother and Aunt sat out at the shore with panic, but Toro came out fine.
I always keep this in mind because i never want to be in a situation like that one.

Inside this body

I have...

My Tio Monchi with his big beer belly, Afro curls, and his oldies.
My Tia licha, and her fancy colorful cheap jewlery and shiny clothes.
My Tata Manuel, with his stories of his travesuras and his caguama in his hand.

Inside this body

I have...
Soccer, or kick the can
My favorite song. "Ojasos negros"
A famous person in my family, My uncle Carlos Santana
That smell of dirt, muddy dirt
A very close friend, my best friend, my boyfriend Fernando Vazquez
My 87' Nissan Sentra also known as my Little Grey
My pride, My Hero... My Father

I have...

My nana's house in Mexicali, B.C
The bright yellow walls, and raggedy old brown fence
Half way falling from were the twins crashed a motorcycle
Those two very tall trees were nenito always climbed up and got stuck
The kids running up and down on the dirt so sticky that made
Everyone a couple inches taller.

Inside this body...

I have...

La Colonia de los Milagros in Mexicali, B.C
Muscoy's #rd St.
Dona Chabelitas corner store in Tijuana
La montanita behind Tia Rosa's house
La Pared amarilla next to Neto's tire shop

Inside this body

I have dreams of...

Having a good life, and providing for my parents the way they
Have provided for me my whole life.
And hoping for every one else to persue there dreams and become who they
Want and accomplishing what they want in life.

Inside this body

I have my family

Inside this body...
But i stop
And simply
Write down

'MEXICAN'