This is Who I Am

I am from Austin.
I am from the state of Texas.
I am from Mexico in my veins.
A quarter Irish. I am indigena.
And I speak two languages.

I am from tamales, pizza, candy, paletas payasos and bubu lubus.
I am from robots, Star Wars, and TV all weekend.

I am from ADHD. I am from a firework brain.
I am from, “Take your Ritalin,” “Make your bed,” “You’re white.”
But I’m not white, my skin is just a covering.
The inside is what makes me who I am.

I am from a mom and dad from different places.
One from Texas. One from Mexico.
A dad who doesn’t let me speak English to him.
I am from four brothers, but I only live with one.
I am from Grandpa Al who liked to eat fish. And so do I.
I am from my mama Tomasita and a walk-away great-great-grandfather.
I am from the roots of mama Celia, who still lives in Mexico today.
I am from abuela, abuelo, Grammy, Kappy, Grumpy, Nana, Nannie and Paux.
I am from uncles and tias.

I am from “Good morning, Silas,” “I love you, Silas,” “El flojo trabaja doble.”
I am from valuable pictures of the loved ones I have and the loved ones I lost.
I am from a loving family that will love me for a millenium.
I am from brothers that love me from the sky and from the earth.

I am from the heart of Texas and this is who I am.
Mexican-American. Bilingual. Me. Silas.

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Perez Elementary

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