Guest Op-ed by George Benavides

I am an American. An American of Hispanic Descent. I am no different from my any other Americans of different culture. I am proud of my background; heritage just like any other American is of her/his culture.

I do not like to ask for handouts or charity, just like my other Americans. I prefer to work, a job, not welfare. I find that I am not alone when I say that we, Americans, regardless of culture, prefer to be employed or to practice entrepreneurship on equal basis. I do not want any special favors nor do I want to be singled-out because the color of my skin is darker or lighter. I want the same things that the other Americans of their culture want; an opportunity to a decent education, employment, home and a safe place to raise my family.

My family roots were here before the United States annexed our soil as one to make us one (several states) of the United States. I am not a foreigner, just a human being. My first language was not English. This does not make me less. Perhaps if we look up to individuals who speak more than one language we would be better prepared. On my mother’s side, I am of Native-American Descent, (Mayan, Yaqui and Aztec) who resided in Mexico. On my father’s side, it is of German and Spanish descent, they came to Mexico seeking freedom from oppression in their country.

I want every opportunity that is given to my other fellow Americans of different cultures. I want the respect, the love as a human being, an opportunity to serve each other equally, an opportunity for equal education, freedom of religion, freedom of speech and all my constitutional rights to practice in those freedoms.

As for my family, we have given ourselves to this great country, the United States of America. We hold just about every decorative medal that the United States Armed Services has to offer, including the United States Congressional Medal of Honor, and others that follow.

I am proud to be an American, an American of Hispanic Descent (Mexican Heritage)! Encourage your children to learn a second language and encourage them to continue with their education.

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George H. Benavides is a former U.S. Presidential Elector (1989) and Decorated Vietnam Veteran, and resides in Glendale, Arizona

This entry was posted on Friday, October 19th, 2012 at 5:52 am and is filed under Hispanics, Latinos. Tags for this post: George Benavides. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.