HispanicHeritageEssayICS16RUE

I'm Hispanic. That must mean I'm Mexican and I hopped over the border into Texas or escaped from Cuba to live in Florida. It must mean I'm poor, and work in the fields picking berries with my family to make money, but this isn't true. While for many Hispanics, these are the things they've actually been through or are going through, it doesn't mean that every Hispanic has the same story. This is just one type of challenge Hispanics, and many other types of people, must face.

There are hundreds of thousands of Hispanics that have had to overcome many challenges as just regular, everyday people. One inspiring example is that of young Anna from Mexico. As a young girl she had move to the U.S. She was often forced to help work in the fields with her parents under the command of the farmers. Anna's parents were mistreated regularly by these farmers as they didn't pay a fair wage. Soon enough, Anna began to be mistreated to as she and her parents worked in what were usually illegal and harmful conditions. Among all these difficulties, Anna decided she wanted to become a lawyer to defend Hispanics like her who were abused and underpaid. While in law school, she was told by a professor that she could not become a lawyer, that she simply did not have what it takes. Yet, in 2009, she had become a lawyer and received a very prestigious award (The Rise of the Latino Lawyer)! Another great example of an everyday person that overcame challenges is Karina Hayat who was born in Guatemala. In 1991, Karina and her family escaped political unrest and received political asylum Canada. Even under the circumstances and not being able to speak English, she was able to find opportunity everywhere by collecting refundable cans and delivering newspapers to help the family. She began to realize that there is substantial reward when one steps out of their comfort zone. In 2001, while still in college, Karina became the co-founder of Prizm Media who work with medical supplies and gear which is now flourishing (Hispanic Business Owners).

There are also many famous Hispanics that have overcome challenges. One is Yasiel Puig who is an example of a famous baseball player that has overcome many challenges. Puig is a very skilled baseball player from Cienfuegos, Cuba but he couldn't leave to the US to join the MLB since the US-Cuba embargo of the sixties. He tried to defect from Cuba 5 times and failed 4 times. He stayed determined and followed his dreams even after Cuban police stopped him, and after his boat failed to arrive, and after he was stopped again by police, and after he was intercepted by the U.S. Coast Guard. When he arrived in the U.S. he had to face racism and discrimination from baseball coaches and owners because they felt as if he shouldn't be there so not many people wanted to sign him despite his skill. Eventually, he signed with the LA Dodgers and played in their minor league team before he became the great baseball player that he is today (Yasiel Puig). Victor Cruz is another example a famous Hispanic who overcame many challenges. He was born in Paterson, New Jersey and his whole family is Hispanic. He had to get through tough early years because the town was plagued by gangs, drugs, and violence. He became a standout high school football player at Paterson Catholic High School despite poor grades. After his father committed suicide, he had to deal with the sorrow and he got his grades back up so he went to UMass where he became a stellar athlete and was soon signed by the New York Giants as a free agent. He became on of the best wide receivers in the NFL (Victor Cruz).

My family has also overcome challenges. My dad came from Ecuador in the early 80s as a young teenager from Cumbaya, a small town in the province of Pichincha. He came with his mom and some other family members. They came without much money, but despite these challenges they worked to achieve the better life they sought. My dad began taking English classes as his aunt had begun to open a successful company that worked with foreign cargo. Soon enough, my dad was working with his aunt's company and it became even more prosperous as they opened more warehouses in Orlando and Miami while they traveled around the World working with foreign companies and private shippers. Later my father opened his own company, still working with his aunt, and he too had a warehouse in Orlando. Then, I came along! My mother came from Ecuador too, particularly from Guayaquil, Guayas. She came as a young 2nd grader with her family. She learned to adapt to the new environment and had to stay after school most days to take extra English lessons. After a few years of struggle, she started getting good grades and making many friends. She graduated from high school and was made the Queen of the Ecuadorian social club of Miami. She went to New Jersey where she met my dad, who were both over there for a national meeting. She worked with him in his business in Tampa but became a successful realtor after a few years, and then I was born!

In conclusion, Hispanics have to overcome many challenges, whether racial, discriminatory, etc. These people are often just everyday citizens that look for a better life for them and their families. I am proud that my family has overcame their challenges, I know others can too.

Works Cited
 * "Hispanic Business Owners." //Kabbage//. Kabbage Inc., n.d. Web. <[]>.
 * This is a trusted website that lists out their sources.
 * "The Rise of the Latino Lawyer: New Study Reveals Inspiring Successes, Lingering Obstacles." //ABA Journal//. American Bar Association, n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2016. <[]>.
 * This is a valid website because the author lists out their sources and this is a trusted news company.
 * "Victor Cruz." //Biography//. A and E Television Networks ., n.d. Web. <[|http://www.biography.com/people/victor-cruz-21322207#synopsis]>.
 * This is a valid website that lists its sources and has people that check the facts.
 * "Yasiel Puig." //Wikipedia//. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2016. <[]>.
 * This website is valid because they have listed their sources.