My life’s work has been keeping my ancestory alive through stories and art and practice.

My name is Erika Rose; Erika for my oma and Rose for my Bisabuela.

My granny, on my dad’s side, always felt called to do the same, tracking and recording our forebearers. She took the same responsibility for her husband’s side and wrote a lot down my grandpa as well.

Some were easy, My oma, on my mother’s side, is German and she was here to pass on her culture. My oma’s ancestry record may end short with a second or third great grandparent. But the traditions and language she passed on are irreplacable. My maternal grandfather knew a decent amount and had the records but there were pieces missing in some areas. This is where I have put my energy into for the past 8 years.

My bisabuela grew up hearing only spanish. She was bilingual, in her home she spoke spanish and in school and outside her home she spoke english,she very likely translated for her parents during most of her childhood. She was a bridge that connected culture to survival. Her mother Senaida and her father Eduardo are one of the strongest connections I have with my heritage; through them I connected with living relatives, shared stories and memories, living traditions that can continue to be passed down as they were meant to.

For nearly a decade i have fought internally with myself, strugling to feel entitled to connect with my mexican and pueblan heritage. It felt like i was stealing. I felt uncomfortable. And on some level I think that was appropriate, to really reflect on the significance not just on the cultures themselves but the significance and importane of me moving past my own insecurities to heal. I could openly practice what they likely couldn’t. For many families assimilating to the govening body was survival. Prioritizing english and converting religions and celebrating new and different holidays were what helped.

In life I have learned that sometimes you have to form survival skills that get you safely through a dangerous time. But once the danger has passed, those skills become harmful. Assimilation is a survival skill. And in todays world i have the priviledge to not only learn and pass it on but the responsibility to celebrate it loudly. I reject the assimilation. I am endlessly grateful for what they had to do to survive; for me to be where i am. And I will proudly bear their language, their holidays, their traditions. I have the torch now, it I intend to let it Shine with all of its beautiful colors.