Lea en español aquí.
What is your name?
Ana Castellanos
What do you do in the community?
I am Safe Harbor’s Bilingual Outreach Coordinator. I raise awareness about domestic violence in the Upstate. I am also a part-time journalist with Nuestro Estado, a Spanish-language news platform.
What is your family’s country of origin?
My family is from Mexico.
What is something that stands out about Mexico?
The culture, the food, the music, the beautiful landscapes, and architecture.
What is something that you miss from Mexico?
All of my family of course, but also the way time passes slower and everything is simpler.
What is something you wish people knew about Mexico?
I wish people knew that Mexico is very diverse. Our food is diverse, there are so many languages spoken, so many ethnicities, races, and subcultures within Mexico. It is hard to capture how wonderfully varied the culture and people are. These nuances are rarely captured in the media.
Is there something you wish were different about Mexico?
I wish there wasn’t so much corruption and violence. I wish it were easier for families to see each other once they immigrate from Mexico.
What is your favorite food from Mexico?
It’s hard to choose between pozole and tacos.
What is your favorite song by someone from Mexico?
Anything by Ana Gabriel or Angela Aguilar. When Angela Aguilar sings, it makes me cry.
Is there anything else you want to add about Hispanic Heritage Month?
My community only enrichens the United States. We bring so much to this country and deserve to be treated well.
