I am a first generation American. Even the way I say that tells you I am white. I never used the word immigrant and never was concerned that my family would be deported.
Despite my mother crossing the border while being 7 months pregnant, I was never called an anchor baby. My family crossed the border three to four times a year and we never had to take baths. Really we were just waved through. 'Where you going? Oh that is nice, have fun.' 'Where have you been? A family visit how wonderful, have a safe drive home.'
That is because my parents were from Canada. They were white. Even today people laugh when I say I am the child of immigrants. "Canada doesn't count as a different country."
This is sad. For the BIPOC who have done so much to build America to be denied the label of American after generations of living here and for me to so easily stroll right into it. It is an injustice.
