I may not feel welcome, yet I’m proud to live here
I often fantasize that Arizona is the utopia where people are bonded by shared values and goals, where we’re equal regardless of birthplace or the color of our skin.
It’s a fantasy all right.
The moment I set foot in Arizona two decades ago, Arizona Republic readers made sure to tell me I wasn’t welcomed, calling me everything from “wetback” to “a beaner” — derogatory terms referring to Mexicans living in the United States illegally.
A lot has changed with my journalism career since I began covering local politics for The Republic. I covered Tempe, Phoenix City Hall and the state Legislature before moving onto various editing posts.
I took over La Voz, the company’s Spanish-language newspaper. And most recently I became a columnist and a member of The Republic’s editorial board.
But nothing has changed for many of our readers, who daily fill my inbox and voicemails with all sorts of epithets. Messages are seldom about my policy and political positions.
They’re personal attacks from Arizonans who write to me saying they’d “rather be in a plane with a terrorist than with a Mexican” like me.
I’ve gotten used to those angry with me simply because I’m Mexican-born.
But many Latinos, including some who applauded my appointment to the editorial board, have at times been furious with my political positions.
You get the theme of my imaginary utopia, right? That’s why I was a bit surprised to receive Valle del Sol’s Profiles of Success Special Recognition Award this year.
Founded in 1970, Valle Del Sol provides a range of services from addiction and substance abuse to mental health and counseling. Every year the group selects individuals to highlight during its annual luncheon. Among past recipients are local and federal lawmakers, council members, activists, teachers and lobbyists.
I’m humbled to be among this year’s
recipients who were spotlighted Friday in downtown Phoenix:
❚ Former state Sen. Alfredo Gutierrez.
❚ Phoenix Councilwoman Laura Pastor.
❚ Al Gameros, mayor of Globe.
❚ Gonzalo A. de la Melena Jr., president and CEO of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce .
❚ Gloria Muñoz, executive director of Housing Authority of Maricopa County.
❚ Chris Stoller Michelena, the southern Arizona director for U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake.
❚ Nicolas Kizer, co-founder of Kizetta Enterprises, a local media and design studio working in film, television and online platforms.
❚ Tanya Muñiz, chief financial officer for Valley of the Sun United Way.
❚ Regina Romero, councilwoman for Tucson’s first ward.
I’d rather discuss my work, policy and political decisions affecting Arizonans. But I’m constantly reminded of my Mexican heritage — as if I need reminders.
One glance at me and you’d know I’m a Latina. Listen to me for a second and you’d know I’m an immigrant. Nobody chooses his or her birthplace. But some of us are lucky enough to choose our profession and a place to call home.
I’ve chosen Arizona as my home and Republic media as the outlet to inform readers of our state’s pressing political, cultural and overall societal problems. It’s never been easy for journalists, but these are challenging times when we’re even considered the “enemy of the people.”
Add immigrant to the mix? It means daily attacks from angry readers overall and from Hispanics who call me traitor and a sellout when I disagree with them.
Yes, I’m the proud daughter of Mexican immigrants who worked the vineyards of northern California so their 13 children could to go to college and get better life.
So, this Valle Del Sol recognition isn’t just for me. It’s for my parents, my siblings and my daughter who didn’t have to work the fields to become a lawyer.
It’s for Arizona readers who want me to go back to Mexico but who nonetheless take the time to read my columns.
It’s for Arizona Latinos and Latinas who often call me traitor and a sellout but who nonetheless know we are in the same boat — or at least appreciate each other’s predicament.
It’s for immigrants like me who’re constantly reminded that we don’t belong and to groups like Valle Del Sol who’re constantly reminding us otherwise.
Arizona is hardly the utopia of my dreams, but it’s my home and yours — yes, home to all 7 million of us.