My family originated in a city in northwest Mexico called Mazatlán, which sits by the sea of Cortez. My mother and most of her siblings moved to Napa, California, during the 1990's to seek financial opportunity. I was born in Vallejo in August of 2003, and for most of my childhood, I was oblivious to the hardships my mother faced while raising me and my older brother without either of our fathers there for us. 
Despite Día de Muertos not being a commonly-celebrated tradition in northern Mexico, I chose to begin celebrating it because of the importance that I hold with my family, as I choose to honor those who came before me and managed to survive despite their struggles.

– Jariel Brito

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant