Being a descendant of two bloodlines that don't really have a strong grasp of their ancestry, it's difficult to write about my connection with my cultural identity. Luckily for me, my family was incredibly resilient and fought hard for their place in the world now. A display of this is the story of my great-grandma “Grandma Honey” her name was Shirley Fae and she was first generation American speaking almost no English until almost her teen years growing up in a time where being anything ‘other’ was not only looked down upon but ridiculed and dealt with violence. My grandmother learned and implemented very quickly the concept of “The world is cruel, therefore I will try my hardest not to be”. With keeping this mindset at the forefront she created a space of unity and warmth called “Grandma’s Deli” . It was founded in 1964 in Bellingham WA around 7 years before segregation was abolished in Washington state but this unjust law seemed to be just a suggestion to her. She didn’t place any signs telling who could or could not have a seat at her tables, she would always make sure that if you walked through her doors you would leave “fat and happy”. 

– N.G

Relationship:  Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more