Yes, you have accurately described what it is like growing up in the US as a Mexican American. It's an interesting experience. I grew up speaking both English and Spanish, but because of school, my dominant language became English. I took Spanish classes in high school, and then some Spanish literature courses at my university, so that significantly improved my Spanish fluency and vocabulary. My Mexican family from Mexico no longer tell me my Spanish sounds "feo". lol This was a thoughtful video and I enjoyed the different perspectives. Thank you.

thank you for the chance to participate in this! it was interesting to see everyone’s perspectives and it was a really cool way to present the topic 😁🇲🇽

Honestly as a Mexican we got beef with most Mexican Americans. Mostly those who post stuff online. Some people try to act like actual Mexicans and try to speak for us, but they can't even speak Spanish 🗿 it's annoying.

As Mexican-Americans I sometimes feel we have it harder. The saying "ni de aqui ni de alla" is very real for us. On one hand we try to assimilate to United States culture, but we're never looked at as real "Americans." On the other hand we try to retain our parents culture by trying to speak Spanish, but we're not accepted by Mexicans. It's hurtful and difficult. I am not a "chola or poncha" and I don't consider myself a "Chicano." I'm Mexican-American with indigenous purepecha blood. I'm a college educated woman who double majored in history and anthropology. I am not a criminal or the stereotype both Americans or Mexicans believe and continue to push. Thank you for another informative video Karen.

Thank you for your excellent work on this video! It’s not an easy topic to talk about, as it is sensitive for many people, but it’s very important to us and we feel honored to have been a part of this conversation with you. We look forward to continue this journey of exploring identity in Mexico as Mexican-Americans (aka Chicanos aka Latinos aka Hispanics aka Pochos lol) via our KZfaq channel and journey through Mexico. Last but not least, thank you so much for your friendship and kindness during our time here in Querétaro! ❣️

This is true of all cultures. Koreans do not consider Korean-Americans as real Koreans, Italians do not consider Italian-Americans as real Italians, German do not consider German-Americans as real Germans. How could you be? As an American, you grew up in a completely different culture than your ancestors countries. Just because maybe you can still speak your ancestors language at some level and still celebrate ancestors customs, does not make you Mexican, Korean, Italian, etc. You grew up in American, so you are American.

Best quote from Selena about being Mexican American, “Being Mexican American is tough. … We’ve gotta be twice as perfect as anybody else… We gotta be more Mexican than the Mexicans and more American than the Americans, both at the same time. It’s exhausting!”. I lived my entire life in Texas where my parents came from Mexico illegally up until this year. I moved to Latvia and now trying to understand what being Mexican American really means, even in Latvian I would have to say I'm only American (Es esmu amerikanis). Being Mexican American is its own shared experience that I'm slowly finding out is unique.

Please be respectful with the people who participated in this video. They were kind enough to help with the video.

Thank you for sharing this. I am a 54 year old Mexican American woman, I was born in the U.S. I wish more people would talk about this. Sometimes i feel like we are a people without a country.

I don't think I've seen a video like this before, but it really provides some interesting perspectives and insight. Thanks.

What a great opportunity for 2 of my favorite KZfaq channels to meet up! Really enjoy all the work you both put into making the videos. Keep up the great work!

I agree with "A Mexicans worst enemy is another Mexican.." Envy and greed have something to do with it.

My biggest insecurity as a women raised in the U.S. by Mexican/Honduran immigrant parents-is most definitely my sense of not belonging. There is already a cultural difference with my parents being from different countries-but on top of that, there has always been a fight with which “side”would claim me. I believe my parents tried shielding my siblings and I from discrimination and/or racism , so they never forced us or expected us to speak Spanish. They learned the English language right away and little by little I lost the Spanish language completely. It was refreshing hearing the young couple sharing their story as Mexican /Americans. I never realized or thought there were others like me-as crazy as that sounds. It seems like a majority of Mexicans feel that Mexican/Americans are ashamed or don’t feel like we care about our parents’ Mexican culture; but hopefully this video can shine light on the majority of us who truly weren’t given the opportunity to learn as a result of our parents’ trauma. In their minds they felt they were truly helping us and didn’t want us to face the trauma they were facing. Unfortunately, their decision to “shield” us seemed to have caused more insecurity and identity issues. They describe their choice of “protecting” us as one of their biggest regrets.

As a Mexican, If you love Mexico and if you identify as Mexicans. It is enough for me. You are Mexicans. Also, do not forget to get your Mexican passport, legally you would be Mexicans, It wont matter what the people think. You are always welcome to this beautiful country

Yo soy nacido en SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA USA, Siempre creci con gente y familia hablando Espanol, Yo me siento orgulloso de mis raices Mexicanas aunque soy nacido en USA. Soy de cuarta generacion y mi familia sigue hablando los dos Idiomas, Espanol/Ingles.

A few thoughts on this. 1. I was born in the 70's and my parents did not speak Spanish to us so we would fit in. They did feel they had to protect us from our own culture. This is so true for may of my Mexican American Friends. 2. In Texas we often use the word Tejano for families that have been in Texas for generations. 3. My kids are mixed race but would pass for Anglo very easy. They asked me if we would have to move back to Mexico after Trump was elected. There were Elementary age at the time. Being Mexican American is harder than most would want to admit we are stuck between two cultures and depending on the person they my fit more in one than the other but will never be fully accepted by either.

In my experience, nobody treats Mexican Americans worse than Mexicans. They can be downright awful, condescending, and rude. Like they feel an impulse to let you know you’re inferior. I’ve met a lot of friendly Mexicans who’ve been gracious and really chill, but I’ve also met ones who act like you insulted their mothers and want to boil you alive because they detect that your Spanish is slightly Americanized. When I travelled abroad to France and Spain, I was absolutely shocked at how much better I was treated in both countries and never once experienced any amount of resentment or rude behavior (even in Paris). Mexicans need to chill out with the extreme judgmental biases they have toward Mexican Americans. It’s even worse when you see how much friendlier they are to gringos but treat you with contempt. I was paranoid about my Americanized Spanish and when I’d meet other Latin Americans, they’d tell me I was crazy, that I spoke excellent Spanish. It was only the Mexicans who felt a need to be dismissive, insulting, and disparaging.

I really love the research and work you put into making your videos. You go out on the street talking to people, gathering opinions, and then you magically shape it all into a storytelling event. Even the thought you put into the background music - it always matches up with the ambiance of the tale you weave - great work LaKc...the way you make videos is like a fine wine. You keep on getting better!

Special thanks to Jenny and Kevin. They have an awesome KZfaq channel called: Jenny and Kevin eat baila travel. Check out the second part they released: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/qr5xo5uD2rvDg2g.html

Nice to hear all different opinions! What I experience is good, kind people - everywhere, and they are the best to be around - like you Karencita!

You're bringing up topics never seen on KZfaq before... good job.👍

So that’s the REAL way you met Jenny & Kevin!! (A little different than their version.) And this is so eye-opening. Thoughtful. We need to expand our thinking, our understanding of each other, end our wall-building about each other and empathetically embrace.

It was very interesting to see this couple talk about what it’s like to be Mexican but born in the US. You asked some great questions Karen, and it’s nice to see that you really took the time to acknowledge other peoples opinions and consider that in your everyday thoughts. This was an amazing video!

Many of us didn’t have a choice. My mother took me to the U.S. as a child. I am a Mexican National but was raised in the U.S. I understand perfectly what she said, people treat us like we are neither from the U.S. nor from Mexico. No reason to be ugly to others. We are still Mexican! 🤷🏻‍♀️

I love this! Karencita, you explain in such a heartfelt and understandable way, the cultural differences between Mexican/Americans vs Mexicans. Having both experiences is such a good way of understanding each other. Viva la cultura mexicana!

Thank you, I really appreciated this perspective.

You tackle such interesting topics, and this is another one. Great video and subject matter.

Being someone who was raised in both countries. I am proud to identify as American AND Mexican. I see the struggles of my fellow Mexicanos and I’ve seen how the Mexicans see the A/M. I am shocked how accurate this This is amazing work!

My favorite Mexico travel channels in one video!

Loved the topic. I was born in the USA to parents from Mexico. Dad from Guanajuato and mom from Jalisco. I went to Gaudalajara in July for the first time and was shocked when watching videos of a band that I thought was Mexican. I noticed that in Mexico, the Mexican flag that was flown in their video was blurred out. I asked my family why they did that and they said because they are Americans trying to portray themselves as Mexicans when they are not. She said although their parents may have been born in Mexico, they shouldn't fly the mexican flag because they are americans. I was shocked.

Thank you for making this video! It is very eye opening and relatable!

It was nice to see the perspective of different people, also make a video on what Mexicans think about the growing Indian community here in mexico or any other country

Si naces en estados unidos eres estadounidense. Una cosa es nacer y crecer en América Latina y otra es nacer y crecer en USA con papás latinos, no confundamos.

Very interesting video. Your best videos for me are when you show different perspectives. I started watching your videos when you were in Vietnam. This video reminds me of them. Thanks

Really awesome video. Thank you so much. You continue to find great subjets and great videos. Thanks again!

Some people should understand that you just can't control what others think of you or anything else for that matter , be content with who you are and don't go around trying to please strangers , love thyself and don't care much about haters which you would encounter anywhere in the world given the chance ! The race card is mostly politics !

Different regions of the US perceive Hispanics differently. I was born in Albuquerque New Mexico, and we anglos were in the minority at the time. There’s were more Spanish surnames in our phone book than anglo surnames. I was introduced to Spanish as a toddler. I played with neighbor friends who were Hispanic. I listened to Mexican music on TV. We visited New Mexican villages where 18th Century Spanish is still being spoken. New Mexico didn’t have much arable land or natural resources like California or Texas, so anglos left native Hispanos in charge, and they still run things. I’m grateful for the years I spent growing up there, and I still love going back. New Mexico gave me such appreciation for different cultures, languages and perspectives that are with me today.

This was so interesting to watch and very well put together🙌👏 I (Simone) had no idea there was such a stigmatism around being raised with a combination of Mexican and American culture and ideologies, so this was very enlightening for me 🙋‍♀️ and that part where Jenny said that in Qroo if she were to say she’s from Zacatecas they’d more likely get charged ‘local’ prices. I’ve seen this first hand in Qroo where if Geovanny were to walk along the 5th avenue alone, none of the vendors approach him to sell anything, but the moment he’s with me, we are bombarded by vendors 👀💀 so great to see Jenny and Kevin in this 🤩🙌 Un abrazo fuerte desde PDC 🤗

Thank you so much for making this video happening! This was very informative. New viewer here!

Very good job. Muy bien hecho. I was born and raised in the United States. I retired from the US Navy the I had a Government position for another 15 years. My Parents were both born in Mexico and some of my brothers were also born in Mexico. I grew up in Los Angeles during the 60s & 70s Chicano Movement, Cesar Chavez Farm Boycotts and I learned how to stand my ground. I don’t feel outta place anywhere in the US and I challenge anyone that tells me to “go back where you came from. Our house in Guadalajara has been in the family for about 75 years. We went to Mexico almost every year for summer vacation during the school year. I am fluent in Spanish and English and due to my employment clearance, I had to wait for my retirement to get my Dual Citizenship. I feel at home in either country and don’t worry to much about what Americans or Mexicans think of my status. I’m happy.

"A Mexican's worst enemy is another Mexican." Sad but true. It took my gabacho best friend to point that out to me decades ago. Pretty much all people of Mexican descent LOVE Mexico and mexicanidad, but still have room to hate on the "wrong" kind of Mexicans.

I am now hooked on your videos. There are many KZfaqrs doing shows on Mexico but yours are very good. I like the view point of a young Mexican woman about her own country with the added perspective she has from being married to a Brit.

Nice video Karen! Very well done!

Very thoughtful topic Karen. 🌴

I just discovered your videos today and they make me smile and laugh. It’s so refreshing to see a Mexican woman traveling the world and having confidence and pride in her own skin and where she comes from that she wants to share it with the world. As a Mexican-American my Mexican heritage was just something that was not “cool”. I live in border state New Mexico and while it’s predominantly Hispanic here there’s a lot of weird confusion as to identity. I’ve had lighter skinned Hispanics tell me I’m Navajo, but Natives here wouldn’t consider me one of them, I don’t speak Spanish so can’t relate to Mexican family members, but yet Caucasians only see me as Mexican 🤷🏻‍♀️ lol. My mom is teaching my kids Spanish (unlike me lol but she’s making up for it) and I’m learning along. I look forward to showing them your videos and your fun perspective of Mexican culture that makes me a little proud to share this heritage.

I loved this video. I grew up in Mexico up until I was 12yrs old. I still speak Spanish and have a heavy accent. So I can definitively relate to Jenny and Kevin when they said they are seen as foreigners in the USA and in Mexico. Or people think you're not smart enough cause you have an accent.

I really like your videos Karencita. Very thoughtful topics and well made.

Gracias Karencita. Me encanto el video!

Very enjoyable video! Well done,I was born in the states and my father, wanted us to only speak English, I just now realized why, he did not want to be discriminated against. Guess I am lucky, I have never felt judged, in anyway here in the states, nor in Europe and I have always proudly stated that I am Mexican/ American. I too try very hard to sound Mexican, when I visit Mexico, people usually think I'm from South America, and then I explain 😕

I was born in the USA and I'm of Mexican origin. I'm proud of my Mexican heritage but I'm more proud to be an American. I served in the United States navy and am proud to serve this country who gave me more opportunities if I had been born in mexico.

Thanks. Great video. Thanks for sharing your beautiful experiences. Sending you lots of love.

Excellent video! My parents insisted that we continue to speak and learn Spanish after we immigrated to the U.S. However, most Mexican-Americans I know, people in their 50s, 60s, and 70s, were not permitted to learn Spanish. Such a shame. I love being bilingual. Note: When I was a child in Mexico I attended a bilingual pre-school starting at age three. I took Spanish courses in middle school and high school in the U.S. When classmates asked me why I was enrolled Spanish class, I simply asked them why they were enrolled in English classes!

I'm not Mexican or Mexican-American (a child of Colombian and Ecuadorian Immigrants but born and raised in the U.S.) but this provided a lot of interesting insights and perspectives regarding identity and the ways it shapes one's outlook for their life.

I'm Mexican born raised and living in Mexico and I see Mexican Americans as an over the top version of what they think a Mexican is (clothes, music, attitude). But in Spanglish. I've never met anyone in Mexico City (where I'm from) that listens as much rancheras, dresses as stereotypical Mexican and Behaves with this straight forward attitude as all the Mexicans Americans that I know (and they area lot since I have family on the situation). I feel they adopt this to compensate or to feel part of something. We are totally different, they created their own culture.

Great video!

This is the most interesting video I have seen so far……Bravo!

Such an interesting video. I’m Peruvian American and I’ve been called Chicano when I was in Mexico. Thumbs up from inkahustler 👍🏼

Hey guys! My name is Ulises. I was born in Veracruz but have been living in the state of Minnesota in the USA for 18 years. I’ve dealt with all of it, and a lot of discrimination from both ends of the issue. From “looking” too Mexican and even speaking Spanish at a job, to being made fun of by other Mexican’s for my lack of not being fluent in speaking Spanish. I’m becoming more fluent with my Spanish now which I’m happy for but I dealt with a lot of questioning about where I belonged. After being a resident for a while I finally got my American citizenship and I’m finally going to visit Mexico again! Now I’m taking back all my roots and practicing my Spanish vocabulary and writing so it can become my Fluent language🙏🏽 I love watching your videos as well eat baile and travel 💃🏽❤️

Formidable! Un sujeto importante por discutir! Gracias, Karencita! Saludos de San Pancho, California

Very interesting video!

It’s a mindset. I feel very Mexican and very American. If you claim it no matter what someone else judges I am proud of both and take the best of both worlds. I was born in Guadalajara, I have lived in New Jersey since I’ve been 5 and now am 38. I am what I am and embrace what I choose to. I have also served in the military and gone to war for the U.S, which may be factor in giving me confidence in not feeling any less of anything in both cultures. I claim them both.

Both sides discriminate equally. Even in Mexico it happens against certain groups, especially against indigenous Mexicans. There’s also a lot of classism in Mexico. Mexicans just love to discriminate each other.

Thank you for this video.

Here in the United States the Mexicans that try to speak English get bullied and called paisas. It’s really hard to try and speak another language when bullied like that

Without in any way disparaging Spain, it's important to remember that there's so much more to Mexican, Central America, and South American heritage than the language and culture of Spain. Some of the earliest and most advanced civilizations in this hemisphere were located in what's now Mexico.

Wow I felt this video so deep. As a Mexican-American I completely agree with their views and I can certainly relate.

First of all, who makes that travel backpack you have in the beginning 🔥

Good video. The language thing sounds similar to the Cajun story in Louisiana. Kids were teased if they spoke French, it was the language of the poor, and it wasn't allowed in school. Now they're trying to get the language and culture going again. Assimilation is important to a certain degree, but I think you can retain some of you family's culture and still be a part of the community.

I’m a Mexican living en USA. There are cultural differences that can’t be ignored. We grow up in different cultures with different families values. For example, I am from Mexico City and do not identify much with them. Their conception of what being Mexican is, was shaped by their surroundings and their individual family values. Just like these two individuals you interviewed who talked about carne asadas a term I never heard of in Mexico City or Toluca. Another example is what we eat to celebrate the holidays. The other day a Mexican American friend asked me a bout food we eat for Christmas. I mentioned what my mom makes and to my surprise he never heard of Romeritos, ponche, bacalao, or ensalada de manzanas. In my opinion, we should try to see our differences as a good thing but we should never try to be someone we’re not. Both sides are amazing and our many differences makes us unique.

I love your videos!

Interesting video and great points of view and experiences. I’m Mexican, raised and born in a border city with some family living in the US, same situation as many other families from border cities and I can say that Spanglish is a normal thing to do, even without family living in the US. Now, when I moved to Guadalajara I received hate just because I throw some English words here and there while speaking and just to be clear, is not that I decided to do that just to feel superior or something, it is simply the way people speak in border cities and it is not a new thing, even my grandparents used to speak the same way. I’ve been told so many times “te crees mucho por decirlo en Inglés?” Or “por qué no lo dices en Español?” And even though you try to share why, people just don’t care. On the other hand, when I travel to the US I also have been told “learn to speak English already!” even though I try to but sometime the Spanish mode kicks in and I completely forget how to say things in English. TL;DR. Some people don’t care and just want the things their way. It’s a good thing not all people is like that, a lot of people just find it interesting that even though we’re Mexicans, we incorporate some English words while we speak.

Como que no conoces a nadie de Chicago? Y Evan? 😂 amiga como siempre otro buenísimo video 👏🏼siempre muy buena información. Me encanto escuchar las opiniones de las personas

Being bilingual is a blessing! I am Mexican married to an American that doesn’t know Spanish, I speak Spanish and English in my house and my two daughters and husband are learning both languages. We celebrate culture and eat food from both Countries. The whole world is a blend of different races and ethnicities that’s why is beautiful.

This content is superb! The interviews that you conducted were excellent. The folks you interviewed are such great people - so well spoken, and I appreciate how well they were able to articulate the things they wanted to communicate. It is wrong if they are not fully accepted by Americans or by Mexicans - they should be accepted and beloved by people of both cultures.

Great video.

My personal experience being born of Mexican parents who married in the USA is there are challenges for individuals like me are unique. What I have realized is you make the best of any situation. When addressed by discriminatory attitudes from both sides of the border I’ve learned to identify these types of bigotry and racism quickly and this is how I have learned to deal with it because it is universal. ID your source of racist behavior and move away … The reverse is also true on both sides of the border in that there are truly wonderful people to meet and learn from and exchange culturally.

I grew up in NYC as a Mexican American and back in the 90s growing up in The Bronx I was the only one or a few of the ones that was Mexican. I was picked on cause I was different, but it I believe that shaped me on who I've become. To this day I never identify myself with anything entirely because I feel I'm just a mixture of everything. Sometimes I like New York things, Mexican things and American things or even Bronx things. I love it . It made me more open to different cultures and able to experience them more freely without any pre judgment.

Excellent video

I’m glad I came across you channel Senorita Karencita! Tal vez maybe one day podemos grabar una intrevista! Saludos desde Houston Tejas lo que antes era y pertenece a Mexico! Es Meshicano pero los que no n dicen Chicanos 😢

Excellent representation of the Mexican-American experience…. I love that you took on this topic…as a Mexican-American I too feel - neither from there or here …thank you for doing this

My grandparents came in early 1900s they literally paid one peso to cross. My Parents were born here (depression era) so I am well into being 3rd generation. I was never bothered by Mexicans calling me pocha or anything else they deemed insulting. I am and have always been proud that i was born in USA. English is my first language and I learned to be fluent in Spanish at my jobs and taking courses in college. Growing up in the 80s we didn’t see as many immigrants. The influx has happened within the past ten years so no-one spoke Spanish in public as much as people do now. It just wasn’t accepted and considered quite rude especially around other cultures I.e Armenian, Persian, Asian, Indian etc. especially since the aforementioned had made the effort to learn English. Speaking Spanish in public gave the impression that one was not interested in being polite around other non speaking people and cultures. Not Speaking Spanish to Mexicans was a whole different monster. Lol that’s where the anger on their end would show. I always heard people saying I was “acting” as if I didn’t speak Spanish. I grew up with English music,news movies, cartoons etc. and ZERO Spanish at home So I just shrugged off the insults or took it with a grain of salt.

My wife is a dual citizen because of her dad. She grew up here in America. I am half as well but my mom was adopted and found her birth family. I look and act white but I have deep respect Mexican culture and people. Mi español es muy malo pero sigo intentando y estudio mucho... mi familia en San Luis have taken us in and have been nothing but wonderful. We might not truly fit in anywhere but we’ve had nothing but good experiences with Mexican people. And my family only sees us as family. Asombroso video! Subbed! Muchos gracias! Cheers 🥂

Is the guy (sorry, I didn't get his name) with the clothes behind him, of Mexican background or Indian?

Muy interesante. Naci en los EU de mama Mexicana y papa norteamericano. Hablabamos espanol hasta que tenia 4 anos quando mi mama decidio que ya, que tenia yo que aprender ingles. He pasado mucho tiempo en Mexico, y voy hacer mudanza a Queretaro dentro de 2 anos. Gracias por su trabajo.

Excelente video. Para aquellos que quieran adentrarse en este tema recomiendo el libro: el laberinto de la soledad, del escritor Octavio Paz.

Hello and I just discovered this video after taking a break from remote work in Tokyo. I'm an older millennial, born and raised in LA to my Mexican parents. I never thought I would say I'm Mexican like a Mexican native. Some of my Chicano neighbors would always try to be and act more Mexican by being hardcore Mexican soccer team fans or going to Mexican Banda clubs but their Spanish was limited to Spanglish and had a romanticized view of Mexico they learned from other Chicano/Mexican groups. I mostly spoke Spanish with my parents and relatives but, my mentality and intuition is definitely 100% American. English is my native language and I've learned Japanese since then. Most of my friends are from various backgrounds, which is different from my East LA friends who only spoke with other Chicanos or Mexican immigrants. Our way of thinking is very different too. My relatives and other random people I came across in Mexico usually reminded me of my American identity but it only confirmed what I already knew about myself. I always wanted to understand for people like me why it was difficult to embrace American identity? For sure those reasons may be from traumatic episodes of discrimination but even then, majority of Americans aren't anti-immigrant and our communities tend to lose sight of it. Some have never even taken a trip to other American states to see what the country is truly about. I've met some super nice people in the South and Midwest. Anyway, the couple made some good points but mostly disagree with what they said. Everyone tends to define identity differently across the broad. I've seen this with Korean-Americans too.

I just want you to know that I am enjoying watching your videos I work out of town & thinking about moving to mexico

My own family is mixed. One side comes from Sonora many generations ago. They moved to Texas, then to Arizona and California (I live in Southern California) and look as Mexican as any Mexican today, but most of them don't speak Spanish except for a few words. I'm probably the first one making a serious effort to become fluent in Spanish. That's my background, but just to respond to some things from your video: - Pocho - Here, it normally means someone of Mexican descent who is said to have abandoned their culture. - Chicano - A popular term for Mexican-Americans in the 1960s but is mostly considered obsolete today. - Racism - It's a fact that racism and discrimination exist in every country, and the USA has changed a lot from the 1950s when it was everywhere. Some people may hate all brown-skinned people, some people may just hate Mexicans, some may hate only undocumented immigrants, but most don't hate anyone. Many people just associate with their group, and that applies to people of all colors. When I go to the supermercado it's almost always all Mexicans, but when I go to the supermarket it's Anglos, Mexicans, Vietnamese, Nigerians, everybody. A lot or racist attitudes stem from ignorance and a lack of interaction with other cultures. This is true everywhere. There are some Mexicans who hate Anglo-Americans, and there are some Mexicans who hate Yaqui - but they don't represent most Mexicans. - Immigration - There are many different views on immigration, but in the U.S., like many other countries, there are legal ways to immigrate. The U.S. takes in more immigrants than any other country in the world, and according to World Population Review, over 48 million people living in the U.S. are foreign born. So the U.S. is not anti-immigrant. Many people have concerns about those coming to the U.S. illegally, which is often dangerous. People who enter illegally don't have the same rights as those who enter legally. Those who enter legally can, for example, get work visas. - Discrimination - As noted, discrimination against someone on the basis of race or ethnicity is a crime. A Mexican vendor in Querétaro would not be allowed to charge higher prices for non-Mexicans and a lower price for someone from Zacatecas or San Luis Potosí since that's discrimination. Everyone pays the same price for the same item. Discrimination on the basis of race or ethnicity is against the law and has been since 1964, but being a "person of color" is often an advantage in getting a job or a university. Here in Southern California most Hispanics or Latinos are Mexican or Mexican-American (because we are close to Tijuana), and many businesses have more Mexicans or Mexican-Americans working for them than any other group. Mexican restaurants are all over. - Mexican relations. Everyone is different with different experiences and most of the time there are no problems. I get along with everyone. A friend of mine from Guadalajara moved to Santa Ana, California, and he moved to an apartment and got a work visa. He got a job with the state of California. Sometimes the cholos would harass him, so he didn't like the cholos. Many years ago I had a novia chilanga who dressed like a chola, but she wasn't a chola. Sometimes they would say, "How come you don't speak more Spanish?" But they were just encouraging me. Most of us, Mexican and Mexican-Americans and non-Mexicans, all got along great.

Great video Karen !!!! When people ask me which nationality have because i speak english with a french accent - i do not know what to say !!!! Quebecois? Canadian? or French canadian? many new comers think Canadian are only speaking english! Keep in touch

Hey guys. I just saw a massive error. The first question a made to the people was: How is the Mexican-American community perceived in Mexico*? (Instead of the US)

I'm late to this party but I've truly enjoyed your video, and the others. There is a lot I could add considering my skin color is white. Even to the point that some people are surprised that I am Mexican-American. You couldn't even tell if you heard me speak. I grew up in a neighborhood that had one other Mexican-American family and black family. The rest were white. So I grew up where I didn't fit in culturally in my own country, as well as my mother country. I love my culture, I loved spending time with my extended family in Mexico when my parents would take us to see them. Anyways, look forward to learning more. KZfaq community is amazing!

Great video, I’m a Chicana; Mexican American living in the south west . My Dad from Durango Mexico and my Mom Is from California. Both were educated in U.S. and we grew up speaking English. Yes we understood Spanish. We had the best of both worlds but I always felt like a second class citizen in the United States and a Pocha when we went to Baja every summer. It’s an between existence.

I am half Mexican(through my mom) and my dad is Caucasian, and feel like I am more American, but I am proud of my Mexican heritage...especially having the best food!

serious question, as a kid of mexican parents, born in the US, how can I improve my Spanish? I'm currently in college so I am unable to practice with my family anymore and I find myself struggling more and more with the language. Any tips?

Love your videos.

When I went to visit Mexico back in 1989, my cousins didn't really appreciate me because I had a better life here in America.

Me encanto tu video!!!! Yo pienso qué hay muchos niveles y elementos que tienen que ver con esta tema como si creciste en un barrio Mexico en los Estados Unidos, si eres de Tejas, or California, o otro estado, y que generación de Chicano eres. Por ejemplo yo soy de Tejas con padres de Mexico y crecí con tradiciones y vestirme mucho más ranchero y norteño que otros chicanos.

I'm only 5 minutes in and this is just hits so many levels

Keep up the good work.

The opposition from Americans against speaking Spanish is more something that was pre-1970s. It got better during the 1970s and '80s, but there has been a resurgence of racism against Spanish-speakers, especially those of darker skin, starting in the 1990s that continues and has gotten more violent in recent years (this was due largely to Reagan's late 1980s deregulation of media that allowed right-wing media to spread nation-wide, which allowed a small group of far-right broadcasters to sow racist anti-immigrant attitudes far and wide and popularize them again, leading to the first huge border walls in the nineties, something that didn't exist before then). Back in the 1950s, though, it could be really bad. When I lived in Texas, I had two separate Mexican-American coworkers who grew up in small Texas towns who told me that back in the 1950s, Mexican-Americans weren't allowed to name their children Spanish-sounding names. Doctors and nurses at hospitals or government registrars would actually tell new Mexican-American parents, "You can't name your child that. That's not American." Thus, one of the coworkers who told me this ended up with the name Janie on her birth certificate instead of Juana; another ended up with the name Rosie on her birth certificate instead of Rosalinda.