Catalonia

I spent the past few days in Barcelona. I of course did the touristy things and went to the beach and the Sagrada Familia and all that jazz, but I also visited the church in the countryside where my great-great-great grandfather was baptized. It’s easy to default to “Mexican but I’m white” when people don’t understand why I speak Spanish or something, but the reality is there is a reason why that is the case. I am Mexican, but I am also Catalan. I’m also American. I’m also confused. The reality is I’m a lot of things, and picking which one I am today is kind of a daily occurrence. Is today a Mexican day or am I just a White American guy named Will today? Do I wanna explore my Catalan background and hate Spain even more than I already do today or am I leaving that aside during Econ 102 so I can focus? It seems inconsequential whether or not I actively engage with these parts of my life daily, but it eats at me. 

I love Mexico. I love that heritage. But I also kind of am annoyed by the complexity of conversation it causes me. Some days, before I snap out of it and remind myself to be thankful, I wish I could just give people a straight answer that doesn’t conflict with my skin color when they ask about me. 

“Yeah I’m from Texas but my family is from Barcelona.” Simple, true, and white. 

“I’m from Texas.” Simple, true, and white. 

Here’s the reality: “I’m from Texas, my dad’s side of the family is English but I was raised by my single mom who is Mexican, but if you go back a few generations they are from Barcelona so some of that family is brown and some is white. So I’m a White Mexican-American with ancestors who immigrated to a country you would normally only consider to have people who emigrate from it, not to it.” Simple right? Any more questions? Yes I like Taco Bell no it isn’t real Mexican food.