Mi Raza Mi Gente Published Oct. 10, 2014 By Diana L. Lopez Edgren High School MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Today there are so many different interpretations of what being Hispanic is, or should be, but to me the most viral parts of being Hispanic are: the preservation of my native language and traditions. Naturally I have always been loyal to the American flag, yet appreciative of my native land. Being Latino is synonymous of strength, passion, and faith. Strength: because we have survived centuries of abuse without losing our dreams. Passion: because the flame our hearts adds flavor to our lives. Faith: not necessarily in a higher power, but faith in our heritage, that our people will achieve peace, political freedom and stability. The Number one issue in the Hispanic community is "How do i leave my children better off than myself?" Thankfully i have always had my family by my side thick through thin because that's what families do. My grandparents were like my other parent figures who I would look up to, they have been there since i could remember. No permitas que nadie diga que eres incapaz de hacer algo, ni si quiera yo. Si tienes un sueño, debes conservarlo si quieres algo sal a punto buscarlo y punto. "Don't permit anyone tell you you're incapable of doing something not even me if you have a dream you have to conserve it if you want something go out and look for it period." This is what my grandparents and parents would tell me, and for this I strive to better myself not for others but for me because in the end it's only going to benefit me. It bothers me when our own kind envies one another for no exact reason. Latinos are known to be judgmental not that I like saying it, but maybe it's just jealousy, I don't really understand but one can't change others. Historically, we have worked hard and stuck to our faith to get to where we are now. We have to have "orgullo en nuestra raza porque no hay otra persona que entiende lo que hemos pasado por, ahi que continuar celebrando nuestro orgullo de ser Latino con tradiciones, que siga viviendo el sueño," which is pride in our race because there is no other person that understands what we have gone through that is why we should keep celebrating our pride in being Hispanic with traditions--let's keep the dream alive.