To know me is to know my family bloodline. It has been mixed for almost 100 years and I am proud of each drop. My amazing Papa told me stories about our heritage since I was old enough to remember. Papa's ancestors were Spanish and Chamorro. Chamorro being the indigenous people of a small island in the Pacific Ocean called Guam.
He married Nana who is Filipino. Nana not only spoke English, Tagalog and Spanish but also learned Chamorro. Papa learned Japanese during World War II. Their love of culture and education is so very inspiring and motivating because the sad truth is that they did not get to finish elementary school. With only a 2nd grade education, Papa was a career longshoreman in the Port of Guam and Nana was a housewife, they raised 6 children who were in private school and owned their own home on a huge chunk of land.
Knowing my mixed heritage history firsthand from my grandparents played a huge part in my identity. It is important to pass down our family's story to my children so they can tell their kids one day. My children are just as proud as I am to know where they come from and who they are - who their family is. This is why we are so proud to Celebrate Mixed Heritage Week with Growing Up Blackxican!
Labels: Chamorro, Culture, Family, Guam, GUBMixedHeritage, Mixed Heritage Week, Philippines, Spanish
