Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Jeannette (Jenny) is proud of herself and her heritage.
by Jeannette Sanchez
I grew up as a mixed race Mexican American in Alaska who eventually moved to Missouri where I raised my two kids. When my children went off to college, I signed up for Peace Corps (PC) Response and one of my three PC assignments was in Guyana. This was a very different experience for me since most Guyanese saw me as the ‘White Girl’ – a label I did not connect to. Being seen as white (not Latina) was challenging for me. It felt as if my identity had been stripped from me. Though, through this experience, I found lessons and opportunities in Guyana. While working my assignment, I was able to connect with my communities (personal and professional) to help educate people about diversity and differences within the Hispanic communities. This worked best by talking about my family, cultural backgrounds, sharing photos, and telling stories of my Mexican culture. In return, my Guyanese community did the same for me. We learned from each other. I eventually accepted how Guyanese saw me but continued to tell them about my cultural background and experiences, along with the many types (and “looks”) of our global Latin/Hispanic people, including some of my family’s traditions back in the U.S. (e.g., Quinceañeras, Día de los Muertos, ofrendas, chupacabras, foods, spices, bright colors, etc.).
Yes, sometimes this process was challenging but no one said Peace Corps would be easy, just rewarding and personality-building. 😉 I am very proud of my Mexican heritage, so sharing it was easy for me. Though, growing up, balancing multiple identities wasn’t always easy, which I believe is why I was able to share more of my full ‘Self’ in the PC. Being in Guyana and being the “white girl” simply added to my dynamic and allowed me to grow deeper in my identity and my self-pride, while educating others. Not only did I make a difference in others’ lives, I made a difference in mine. So I, Jenny, is an American (born and raised in Alaska) who’s a mixed Hispanic female that does not speak Spanish, was a teen mother, is an out Lesbian, and now a former PC volunteer who lived in two foreign countries. Wow! These identities are part of my story now, and I am very proud of that story. This mixed Mexican woman is truly grateful for the path I have been given. Gracias!