Thanks for your comment - and I do accept the critique that my perspective is one from a position of "choice" - since we chose between Mexico and the US (leaving the US) - which I would argue most as you pointed out above would not due to security.

These people here you describe:

"They want to send those powerful dollars to their families still in their native country. They will endure the hardships and mistreatment that they experience from many Americans, because they believe that being in America is still better than being where they are/were in their motherland." -- I met MANY of these beautiful human beings, loved, helped, and supported many native Mexicans while living in the US - that I met in Virginia, NC, NY and Pennsylvania...(I'm of mixed race, but I'm not Mexican)

My anecdote was specific to the one woman whom I met at the border who made a conscious choice to not want to know her roots. Hers is an example of some - certainly, she's not representative of all.

I am careful and would never claim ALL natives would think or act as she has.

I'm born in Venezuela and while I can make the same claim for many Venezuelans who have left and would not care nor want to return, there are also many who if given the economic opportunity and security - would head back in two seconds.

This article is not an argument for those who have to leave. In fact, I left, and am now twice an immigrant.

This article isn't against those who have to stay outside of their home - I have, my parents, my friends, and family - millions of us do.

This is simply a call to all of us -- regardless of our circumstances, regardless of privilege -- we can love our heritage and appreciate the new nation we are living without having to call one superior to another. Plain and simple.

One correction: I am not in Mexico to reclaim my cultural heritage. I am learning a new one along with a spouse who is also never lived and has no heritage in this land. I am appreciating, learning, and celebrating THEIR culture while still loving my own, just as I did the same when I was in the US.

However, I am certainly not one to say - "Oh why can't they do this like in America?!" -- as I often heard in my home country when others came to mine.

Thanks for reading. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with me.

✌🏽