I’m Not Latino and I’m Not American — Growing Up in Two Cultures That Didn’t Accept Me

By Ana Defillo, Policymic

I have a mini identity crisis every time I am asked. My gut reaction is to answer with “I don’t know” but that’s not really an option if I want to end this part of the conversation as quickly as possible.

I was born in Caracas, Venezuela and lived in San Antonio, Venezuela until my family and I moved to Miami, Fla., when I was six. My family is from the Dominican Republic and they moved to Venezuela 20+ years before I was born to escape the effects of the brutal Trujillo dictatorship. Since I was born in Venezuela, to them I am Venezuelan and not Dominican. This has caused a lot of confusion and arguments between my friends and I. However, my formative years were spent in the United States so I am most familiar with American culture. To Latinos, especially Venezuelans, I am not a “real” Latino. I’m a Gringa. To Americans, I am not a “real” American. I’m too brown.

Click HERE or on the picture to read the full story.