Hemos hablado del sueño americano antes, y nos toca hablar de eso otra vez. Quizás el sueño americano no es EL sueño. Personas vienen a los Estados Unidos por varias razones, los cuales, a veces, caen fuera de su control. Realmente hay personas que dejan buenas vidas en su país natal. La personas con que hablamos hoy, tenía un hogar, trabajo, un caro, etc. Pero, las circunstancias y una dedicación a su familia le trajo a los Estados Unidos. Cada historia es diferente- venga y escucha, para que sepas. 

This episode gives a vulnerable look at the emotional side of immigration for a teenager. The teen years are all about self-identification and pushing out of one's comfort zone, these trials are heightened as one struggles to find their footing in a brand new country. Everything changes, even the person. The things that they like, worry about and the ways that they spend their time are all new. Even their primary language is new. Tune in, para que sepas. 

Being a dual citizen gave this woman and her family an escape route when their home became no longer safe. We are talking about it all: citizenship, mother and children separated, violence in Northern Mexico, English, self identity, etc. And above all else, we discuss how important and powerful it is to look at other people's circumstances and challenges from a compassionate head space. Kindness recognizes kindness. People can sense and feel one another's authenticity or honest efforts to listen- and that is the foundation of new, lasting relationships. We talk about a little of everything! Shoot, even I share some experiences this time. This is Para Que Sepas. 

Part 2 of our Generation 1.5 conversation!! This is a long one but it is worth every minute. We are getting into the power of personal identity and being one with where you come from. We all have a story and at some point we all have to come to terms with it and make it our own in some way. There is something so human about that. The need to understand where we come from is innate and natural. And it should be celebrated- as it can be a powerful source of energy and power. 

Generation 1.5. The generation that is within and without in possibly every way. We begin our case study of the topic here. This conversation goes into a little bit of everything: from not being Latina enough to trying to become and individual and spread new roots. In particular, we discuss the struggle between becoming an individual and respecting the establishment of the traditional Mexican family. When push comes to shove, what gives? American goals or Mexican culture? Tune in and find out. 

From a romantic perspective, the American Dream is everything anyone could anyone want and more. But, from the inside that Dream is not so easily recognized. Immigrants are often assumed to be coming to the United States to take a piece of the American Dream. Maybe even stealing the status from someone else. Calling immigrants... only immigrants.. adds to immigration threat narrative. These are mothers, families and friends with the same dreams as many of our own. This is the story of a mother who, like many other Americans, wanted to be a doctor. But, without citizenship the path to her dream was not clear cut. There were set backs, kids, marriage, divorce, career changes and on top of it all: the quest for citizenship.  

We would like to think that we can mold and shape ourselves to be whoever we want. That is one of those enticing opportunities tied to the American Dream: you can do or be anyone. But it does not matter how much you feel you are someone, without citizenship you can be told you are no one. Listen as an undocumented woman describes her home and the country she loves- even though it does not always love her back. 

If you are new here.. then this is the place to start. This is the introduction to all of these stories. No one story is the same- everyday we face the struggle that is: overgeneralization. So stop in, hear a story and become a little more proximate. These stories do not have names or faces- they could be anyone and they are from everywhere. Today is a good day to start appreciating the challenges that others face, they are often greater and more complex than you think.