My mother immigrated to the US when she was only a teen, and the year was 1987. She halted her youth and left behind her friends for an opportunity at a better life. My mother was never embarrassed to embrace her culture. These items are a reminder of who I am, who came before me and the sacrifice my mom made for my sisters and I. The rings belonged to my grandma, and they were given to her by her grandma. Wearing the rings reminds me of her calm and easy going personality. She always preferred things to be simple. The rings themselves are quite simple. This blouse is from Michoacan, Mexico. The beading is all done by hand, and is probably one of my most prized possessions. The people of Mexico wear these shirts during special occasions such as Mexican Independence day, Dia de los Muertos and Dia de La Virgen de Guadalupe. The blouses are worn all the time by natives from Tirindaro which is a small community in Zacapu, Michoacán. Not only has she fully embraced her Mexican culture, she is also accepting of US culture, never feeling pressured to adapt to it.  My mother’s strong pride in her culture has forever influenced and impacted the way I feel about it too. I've always been grateful for the sacrifices my parents made but these items always serve as a reminder.

– E

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