Why I don’t want to assimilate

Posted byJohn EliPosted inCulture, Life Lessons, UncategorizedTags:, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Sorry everybody… August has almost passed me by and I’ve fallen behind on my writing goals. Today I’m going to share with you something that I previously posted on Soul Tacos. It deals with my struggles of being caught between two cultures. Hold tight though, I’ll have something new for you all this coming Monday. Bendiciones!

Today I was at the airport, placing an order at Einstein Bros Bagels. The gentlemen that tended to me appeared to be of East Asian descent. They had dark skin, spoke broken English, and spoke to each other in their native tongue. As they spoke to each other I listened in amazement. For a moment, I imagined myself walking through the streets of India. I imagined hearing sounds of people talking, music playing, and people dancing. For a moment, I experienced a visualized vacation to another continent. Breathing in the beauty of their nationality and culture, I told them, “Hearing you speak in your native language sounds amazing.” They both seemed taken back, but quickly smiled and said a very sincere “Thank you.” I could sense that they felt a sense of appreciation and pride in that moment.

As I walked away, I began to think about experiences that I’ve had since childhood. As a 3rd generation Mexican-American, I could only dream of people embracing my cultural uniqueness. Instead I’ve found myself in the crossfire of two cultures that simultaneously demand my assimilation. My childhood and adolescent socialization was confusing. Some days, I heard white-kids call me names like “Mojado” or “Wetback”, as they tried to insult me based on the color of my skin. Yet on the very same day I could be called a “Gringo salado” (salty white guy), because I wasn’t fluent in Spanish, or because I had friends that were white. In school, my teachers taught me how to be a proud and productive American citizen. Yet, my family, church, and community members, would try to persuade me to embrace my heritage. Early on, I realized that it was an impossible task to please either party. Even now, in adulthood, it is still common for me to encounter people who frown upon my unwillingness to conform to their expectation of who I should be.

Truth be told, I don’t want to assimilate. …. I’m quite comfortable being me. I want to continue to eat beans, rice, and tacos with a side order of meatloaf and greens. I want to speak in Spanglish, daily, and be proud of my accent even if it sounds like I’m ordering “extra she’s” when I want more queso. I’ll gladly blare my playlist that includes neo-soul, 80’s jams, country, and my girl Selena. I’ll wear my botas on Sunday and my Pumas the next. I am me! I’m 100% Mexicano y cien-por-ciento Americano. I’m Chicano through and through. And perhaps people may not like it….pero no me importa.

Unapologetically yours,

John Eli Garay

John Eli is a transformational life coach who has spent over 15 years mentoring individuals in life skills, career transitions, and through organizational change. His resume includes pastoral care, behavioral health, and higher-education advising. From an early age, John recognized that God created him to bring hope, healing and encouragement to others. He is currently walking out his purpose by helping others confront, and work through, any negative self-talk that keeps them from living life to the fullest. His ministry includes blogging, speaking, and personal development coaching. He currently lives in Chandler, Arizona with his wife, mini-schnauzer and an antique piano whom he calls, “Betty.”

To schedule a coaching session with John Eli click here.

Published by John Eli

I am a self-awareness coach (coach for humans), life strategist, blogger and speaker. I’ve spent over 21 years mentoring individuals in life skills, career transitions, relationships, and life recovery. My resume includes pastoral care, behavioral health, and higher education. From an early age, I realized that God created me to bring hope, healing and encouragement to others. I am currently living out my purpose by creating a space where people can rediscover and become all that they were created to be. I currently live in the beautiful state of Arizona with my wife, two dogs, and an antique piano whom I call, “Betty.”

35 thoughts on “Why I don’t want to assimilate”

  2. Hi John, interesting post. We are all truly unique and I would think your perspective is correct. In truth, we don’t ultimately answer to anyone but our Lord and last time I checked, He doesn’t use cookie cutters (Samaritan woman at the well). Enjoy your freedom. Grace and blessing!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by. I agree, a real life is a rich life. I can’t seem to click on your friends link on this app. Going to check it out later on my desktop. Thanks again. Bendiciones!

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  7. Please be you! I love it! I love culture and I have many friends who also love it! I wish my husband had some of his culture left. He is 3rd generation native american and knows nothing about his culture! I love him still 🙂

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    1. Thank you for your kind words. 😊 I actually spent about a year and a half working with Native American college students around the nation. I had a blast. There is so much to learn from every person that you encounter. 👍👊💥

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  8. It is such an amazing culture. I like that you foster kids! I Am going to be starting foster classes in the next few months. I am really excited.

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  9. It’s best to be confident in who you are and in who God created you to be. 🙂 There is surely no pleasing every person on this earth. People can be so fickle. But many can also be mature enough to appreciate the differences in people. The way I see it is God is beautiful and He reflects His beauty through all the different cultures of this world. Thank you for being you!

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  10. New to your blog. Stumbled across it, wandering around in my reader.

    I’m glad I found this post. We, as American citizens, encouraged to be “American” and immigrants are expected to follow suit. Those who don’t read or understand this country’s history miss the fact that immigrants, in general, struggle to “assimilate”. The Irish influx of the early 1900s brought strangers of another country en masse. They didn’t automatically drop their native brogue, their habits, slang or food choices.

    My ex-husband was of Italian descent on his maternal side. His grandfather had come to the US @ 14 & spoke only Italian. He grew up in NYC in an Italian area and lived an Italian life, picking up some English along the way. He fought in WWI for his new country.

    When his wife became ill after the birth of their second daughter (my former mother in law), he needed a wet nurse or the child would starve. No Italian woman would help him so, he wound up getting help from a Russian woman…in a Russian section of NYC.

    Sometimes, setting aside one culture for another is not possible. In your case, you are a perfect example of an amalgamation. Be who you are and make no apologies. 💕

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      3. They got it. Some kind of setting…??? 🤔 My engineer contact with Automattic actually used your blog as the test to see if my settings were working properly. NOW, I am following you. Heh. HELLO. 😎

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  12. Guten Morgan Mutter (I had to get that in, since she may be reading). Even though we lived in Alabama, most of our lives, we are not a part of the culture (I don’t know what time Auburn plays on Saturday). Maybe because we lived outside the USA for awhile, our children brought home from college, dated, or just hung out with those of different colors, languages, or cultures. I remember one thanksgiving when my oldest and Muslim friend pulled in the driveway and we hid the ham. I remember my six year old looking at all the people in a church and yelling, WHITE PEOPLE (we just arrived from living in Africa for four years). My wife teaches once a week in Spanish. We try to enjoy all cultures, so one day it will be easier to assimilate (I knew I could get that word in) into heaven.

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  13. Ok, first, soul tacos? Seriously, you really must be my brother for real. Not just soul brother lol. I love this soon much! Love your writing! ‘I want to continue to eat beans, rice, and tacos with a side order of meatloaf and greens.’ MY FAV! Keep up the great work!

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    1. Ha! Ha!… Thanks for checking this one out too. I used to have a blog that I managed with a friend of mine. We both love soul music and we love tacos. The blog was our way of expressing the struggle of being caught between two cultures as third generation Mexican-Americans. It was a fun blog, but we were unable to keep up with it.

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