This is America

By Anabelle Rodriguez

Biology 101, I read on my phone as my new college schedule pops up.

“Hey!” I hear faintly behind me.

Ah. Here’s the syllabus. Click.

“Helloooo?”

I hear louder this time. Is that voice talking to me?

“Hi?” I turn around.

I see big blue eyes and a blonde ponytail staring back at me.

“Did your dad tell you I need the grass watered, too? I have to get to my literature class, but I left him a list of chores… what’s his name again?”

I wish I was surprised.

“Oh no,” I laugh awkwardly. “I’m not… part of the staff.”

I don’t want to embarrass the young girl.

“Uh… but your accent?” I instantly wonder how many languages she speaks.

I am about to tell her I speak three languages, actually, when she interrupts:

“What part of Mexico are you from?” she assumes.

Huh? I think to myself. Who said anything about Mexico?

Panama. Cuba. Spain.

Does she know how many other countries in the world speak Spanish?

“I’m not Mexican, I’m American,” I say firmly.

Uruguay. Chile. El Salvador. So many other countries, but she immediately assumed Mexico.

“Uuummmm,” she looks around, bewildered. Mami’s words pop into my head, ‘Be nice to the gringas, mija. They make powerful friends.’

Bolivia. Guatemala. Dominican Republic. So many other countries.

So, I put my mask on. “Sorry,” and I giggle. Knowing I’m apologizing for nothing. But that’s the game.

Honduras. Argentina. Brazil. So many countries.

Be nice. Nod. Smile. Don’t scare her. Don’t dare speak Spanish. Was it because I wore my hoops today? I just have to keep playing the game.

Venezuela. Belize. Colombia. So many.

“Well… if you see that guy working… you can let him know? Since you know…”

Since you know what? Breathe, Tati, breathe, I tell myself.

Paraguay. Costa Rica. Nicaragua.

“Yup. Will do.” And I let her walk away first, hoping my mere presence isn’t too intimidating.

Puerto Rico. Ecuador. Peru.

Thirty minutes later, I’m meeting my new bio partner, who immediately starts off with a question I'm far too familiar with.

“So, what part of Mexico are you from?”

Smile.

You ready to play? Let's play.

The game? The United States of America.