Ticket in My Hand Emily Arellano

TICKET IN MY HAND

Nonfiction by Emily Arellano

When we think of Mexico, “vibrant and “festive” and “free” are a few of the many words that we associate with Latin America that is deeply enriched with culture. Most people who travel there only know the upscale side to it, when in reality there is more to a picture than just the frame of it. Being of Hispanic background, born and raised in the United States, I personally have never embedded myself into my roots. Living in a country that condones and disowns people at the same exact time—for being a different color—makes it an arduous self-fulfillment task.

Therefore, if a ticket guided me anywhere possible in the world I would take the chance and go back to my family’s roots in Mexico. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to grow up and try my best to make an impact in people’s lives that are less fortunate than I am. I have family in Zacatecas, Mexico, which has been in the headlines for the violent drug cartels and homicides that have a huge effect on children and families who can’t do anything about it other than hope that it isn’t them next. I want to help change that. My first step I’d take would be to start a nonprofit organization to help the less fortunate adults and children have a better education and life. Tackling a problem such as this one cannot be done alone; it would take effort of myself and others that share the same mindset as me. For that I would ask my church and community to help make sure that these children and adolescents adults have a better life than I did. I would sit down with the children of Zacatecas that dream of a better life and make sure they don’t go down the same road as so many other kids. I want to positively influence the lives of the kids in need and provide the resources and guidance essential to a successful life that so many Americans take advantage of daily.

I want to be able to come back from helping kids from Zacatecas and show people that not every Mexican is a criminal or is somehow involved in violence that ensues on the news.

My main reason for this huge idea is because this past summer I went to Zacatecas, Mexico to visit family and my father, and it was brought to my attention on how many people get up every day at 5 a.m. to just make a living for their families. Some people will go to the market and sell fruits or vegetables or anything that they can.I want people that believe in stereotypes to see that there’s not only a negative side to Mexican culture, but in every culture, and that behind that negativity there’s people who share the same ambitions as those in America who want nothing more to than to pursue a better life for themselves and their families.