Last week marked the conclusion of Filipino American Heritage Month, and many in my social circles know that my Filipino culture is something that I am passionate about. All my life, I have been immersed in the community and while being so heavily involved in the Filipino Student Union here on campus, I was able to recognize the impact of those in my culture and appreciate it even more. I wanted to share not only about heritage as a Filipino American but also how we can all reflect on the ways our ancestors’ choices and sacrifices can impact us today.
My Family’s Sacrifices and Triumphs
My grandmother used to tell me stories of her life back in the Philippines. Her emotional recollections, always sandwiched between witty jokes and sarcastic comments, sent clear messages to me that she often thought about what “would have been” if she had stayed in the Philippines with her children. Although her life back home wasn’t ideal and the opportunities that arose here in the U.S. were most plentiful, there was a life on the islands she would forever leave behind.
With my father, the same is true. He grew up a Black man in Madison, Georgia and tries his hardest to give us a life much better than his own. Amidst the troubles of his past, he always found light in a situation and never let anyone define him or what he was supposed to be. And although growing up in the deep south was hard, his family and community were ones of great resilience and strength, showcasing their values of hard work and kindness in every act. For him, moving to Milwaukee meant sacrificing his friendships, the hospitality of his home, southern home cooking, and leaving his old life to start a new one with his mother and sister.
Why I Persevere
I share these experiences because they motivate me. For me, starting college was no easy task. I was not aware of the emotional and social impacts of starting a new life with new friends, but I wanted to do my best and be my best self because of the things my parents and grandparents gave up for me.
It is easy to think about the great leaders of both my cultures (for instance Jose Rizal or MLK Jr.) but actually taking the time to reflect on the lives of my parents and grandparents is what helps me to understand myself in the socio-cultural context in which I live. Looking at my culture and my family in this way allows me to grow, using their lives as a reference to how I should live my own: with love and empathy for others.
The month of October gave me the opportunity to look back and notice the small details of my family that I often take for granted. As we kick off the month of November, I encourage you to do the same. Take time to be mindful of all the ways your family has impacted how you see the world today. Because of the sacrifices my ancestors made for me, those I know of and those I don’t, I want to do my best in everything to make them proud.
Braydon (he/him)
Peer Health Educator