Immigrant Stories: Be Proud of Who You Are
The saying “be proud of who you are” is often said, but scarcely practiced. In a world where “fitting in” is pressured upon us, many find it difficult to stay true to who they are; and furthermore, discover and deepen their understanding of where they come from. This month’s immigrant spotlight sheds light on authenticity and uplifting your own voice, so no one says your story for you.
Monse Anleu is a proud Mexican immigrant and DACA advocate. At just three years old, she arrived in the United States with her family- immediately learning to juggle her native language, Spanish, and all the English clamor coming from her community. Monse’s American experience always came with a Mexican twist, at times she felt embarrassed, either by her lunches, customs, or atypical experiences. She remembered glares and moments of discomfort as she recalled stories that are now humorous to her. For a moment in time, Monse feared that her story wasn’t worth being voiced due to its drastic differences from her white peers. Though with extraneous hardships that forced her to grow up quickly, she realized the struggles and sacrifices her parents went through. “I quickly became grateful for all that my parents have done to create opportunities for me. It motivates me to continue achieving their and my own dreams.” As she entered young adulthood, she began to voice her story more which instilled confidence and validation in others. As she learned the value of authenticity, she began to exert more of it and motivate others to do the same. She learned that each story holds its uniqueness and that’s what gives it power to become impactful. A story that is diminished or changed to make others more comfortable is not the stories that make an impact, it is the raw genuine true stories that make an everlasting impression.
Monse has quickly become a staple in the Grand Rapids Latinx community as she is known for bringing people together and making them feel seen, both in her career and personal life. “I now feel proud because it is my story and it has allowed me to view life through many different perspectives. I’m also grateful for my story because it has allowed me to sympathize with others.” Monse now preaches that sharing your own narrative gives other people a chance to voice their own story and furthermore, educate others who can hardly imagine the struggles, barriers and hardships we as immigrants face. Whether you find your story to be relatable or not, each narrative brings a unique perspective that allows us to build each other up.
Written by: Maxine Osorio
