There are four photos in the photo collage I created. In the top left there is a picture of my parents and I. My father is the man in the middle his name is Braulio Auroza, and my mother is Maria Luisa Plata. On the bottom of the picture with my parents there is a picture of a typical dish “Mole”, which is very well know in Puebla, Mexico where my parents migrated from. On the top right corner there is a picture of one of my cousins whom I consider as a brother to me his name is Miguel Auroza. In the bottom of that picture there is a picture of the main plaza in Atlixco the small city where my parents are from in Puebla. I chose these four pictures because they are the meaning of the love I have for my culture and family.

In our culture we are influenced by machismo, and the way men treat women. As stated in the poem Machismo is Part of our Culture, the man is always the one that says what is to be done, and he is the “patron” at home. However, in my family it is 50/50. My father acts like a machista in some sense because he expects my mother to always have the food ready when he is hungry. My father grew up at a home where he saw my grandmother Matilde always being submissive to my grandfather Jose. My grandmother suffered a lot of domestic violence with my grandfather. Whenever my grandfather would dislike a certain food he would throw it, and make my grandma cook something else. On the other hand, my father is very understanding, and also contributes to chores around the house for example my mother no longer does laundry because my father takes care of that. He does not treat my mother the way he saw my grandfather disrespect my grandmother. In some form my father is pushing away from the “machismo is part of culture”, and making it equal amongst him, and my mother.

My cousin Miguel and I are very close with each other. Since I am an only child he is the person who has seen me grow up, and gives me advice as if I were his little sister. Whenever I talk about him to any one I refer to him as my brother because he is very valuable to me. In the book Next of Kin, we have been reading a lot about the importance of family unity within La Raza. The idea of “la familia” and the importance of being united is very important within the Chicana/o community. I admire my cousin because although he is not a legal U.S citizen he has worked double to earn what he has obtained. He is working hard to obtain his GED, and always opens new doors for himself. He never gives up even when things don’t go in his favor. Also mentioned in Next of Kin “La Familia” is very important within movements. To me my cousin is what keeps me motivated in school. Not only do I want to make my parents proud, but also since I have the privilege to pursue a higher education I want my cousin to be proud and reflect himself in me. We both keep each other going, and push one another for success.

Mole is a very important principle in my culture. In Puebla, Mexico it is a very typical dish that many people request. Whenever there is a family celebration, or a holiday like Christmas my mother and tias always prepare the Mole from scratch. My mother also makes it for Dia de los Muertos. As mentioned in the article Decoding The Food And Drink On A Day Of The Dead there are many things that can be placed in the altar. My mother always makes Mole during this time and then places it on the altar we create for my Grandmother Matilde that passed away. For my culture and family on Dia de los Muertos we place the favorite dish from the person that passed away followed by fruit, and bread. Also the drink they enjoyed the most. My grandmother was the one that gave my mother the Mole recipe before she passed, therefore, my mother and tias always cherish her by making Mole in her honor. Lastly I placed the picture of the Xocalo de Atlixco because every time I go to Mexico I always enjoy going to this place it is a very vibrant location surrounded by many flowers. Atlixco Puebla, Mexico is very well known as Atlixco de las Flores, because there are a lot of flowers that grow there. I also enjoy this place because people are able to express their love for the Mexican culture in a liberal way. In the United States we are unable to demonstrate our Mexican pride. Going back to the Next of Kin Chapter 3 the Chicano culture is not recognized or appreciated in the U.S, and is very much hidden. In Atlixco individuals are greatly recognized no matter what they are not seen less than anyone, even tourist feel accepted. Everyone feels welcomed whether they live there or not.