It’s Hispanic Heritage month. A time for Hispanics from Mexico, the Caribbean, Spain, and Central or South America to celebrate and honor their Hispanic heritage. Having just come back from a trip to Mexico City, my motherland, and mother’s land, now is the perfect time for me to reflect on who I am and where I’m from. As I do so, I am proud. As a mixed Latina, I feel fortunate to connect my roots and heritage to two different countries, Mexico and Haiti.
For many Hispanics, who we are begins with our family’s history often anchored by our last names. This is definitely true in my case.
Although my married name, “Jones,” is probably as common as it gets in America, before marriage, I spent most of my life struggling to help people spell and pronounce my maiden name, Policard. It was far from American and also not at all common. So uncommon that it’s been said that anyone with that name is of my father’s family. Even though it wasn’t so easy for people to pronounce, my last name was always a huge sense of pride for me. In Haiti, many people ask your last name before your first name because they want to know who you are. In many cases, someone can immediately connect all the social circles just by asking your last name. Someone will know your dad or mom or possibly a cousin or other relative.
In my case, the history of my family name begins with my grandfather. My grandfather was a successful man in Haiti. He served in important roles in Haiti often traveling the world to represent Haiti and received awards for his work. His hard work and success brought recognition and honor to our family. Later, my father went on to become a doctor while his brothers received world recognition for music and dancing. Often in Haiti, people will immediately make one of those four connections.
On my mother’s side, I don’t know much about her family’s history. Her mother passed away while giving birth to my mom and her dad passed before my brother and I were born. Still, I have much pride in my mother’s maiden name. Her last name defines me just as much as my father’s. As is tradition in Mexico and other Hispanic countries, I was given two last names at birth, my father’s and mother’s last names.
Knowing I was given her name gives me an even deeper connection and sense of pride at being Mexican. Full of so much culture and history, what’s not to love about being Mexican?
During my most recent trip to Mexico, I explored many of Mexico City’s most historic and famous sites like Centro Histórico de la Ciudad de México. The Center or Zocalo was once the Aztec Empire. I also visited Frida Khalo’s museum, once her former home. I attended a performance of the Ballet Folklórico de México where different traditional dances from various regions of Mexico were performed throughout the night. In that one evening, I learned even more rich history.
As I think about my last names and where I am from, I do so with pride and appreciation of my heritage and my family.
Now it’s your turn to do the same. During Hispanic Heritage Month, Coca-Cola invites you to share your pride in your heritage and last name with the world. Visit www.Coke.com/OrgullosoDeSer to order a Share a Coke bottle with your last name on it. On social media, use the hashtag #OrgullosoDeSer (#InsertLastName) to share your pride with the world! Using one of mine, I am #OrgullosaDeSer #Policard!
This post is brought to you by Coca-Cola®.
Leave a Reply