I know that this is off topic, but I feel that it is a worthy enough topic.

In the beginning of August, one of the requirements for this blog was to pick a topic and explore it. Some students in my class picked entertainment, sports, food, and healthcare. I chose the culture. The Hispanic influences here in Tucson are incredible, from the food, to the music arts and entertainment.

On Friday, during a normal Facebook check on Friday, I realized that my uncle (my mom’s little brother) was complaining about Hispanic’s who were attending a yard sale at his mothers house. It really struck a nerve with me. He’s a quarter Hispanic, a quarter African-American and half Caucasian. Not only was he disrespecting those who were attending the yard sale, but his own relatives who sacrificed a lot for themselves for them to come to this country.

My great-grandmother Guadalupe de la Rocha (his grandmother) was born in Culiacan Senaloa, Mexico and moved to Nogales, Mexico in 1924 finally to Tucson in 1928 and died in 1966.

(The Fleming Family possibly late December 1926 or early January 1927)
(left to right: Great Grandpa, Grandma, Fred, Cleo, Marie, Delia, Armando and Grandma was pregnant with my Papa)

People come to this country for a chance at freedom, independence and a chance to start over again. In Chelsea Jo Simpson's blog, she has talked to many people who have come to this country because of love, a job or continue their education. But they have all found a home in the country, just like my great-grandmother.

Grandma, as I call her, was able to receive her citizenship because, my great-grandfather sponsored her. She enjoyed all of the rights and freedoms that this country had to offer. She loved spending time with her six children and three grandchildren. Although, I never met her, I always enjoy listening to the stories that my mom tells me about her. How they would make tortillas in the yard, listen to music while they would polish the silver.

I am very proud to say that my great-grandmother came to the United States and lived the "American Dream". I wish that all people would respect those who come to this country in search of freedom, love, or at a chance to start over.