Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month through an AFLA Member Perspective
By Carlos Oropeza, Wheels Donlen
October 9, 2022
Growing up in the states, I had a little identity issue and struggled to find a sense of belonging. As a child who migrated to the United States at a very young age, I felt that I wasn’t fully Hispanic since I was Americanized. However, I also wasn’t fully an American because half of my traditions and experiences were from a different culture. Who I was culturally confused me. I loved taking part in all of the American holidays and traditions, but I also loved waking up in the morning to the sweet smells of a delicious Mexican breakfast and hearing the commotion as the family came together. Keep in mind that the Hispanic family includes extended cousins and relatives. One thing I knew for sure was that our family was very close-knit. It was not until I was in my 20s that I took a sabbatical and decided to visit the land where my parents were from and where I was born.
I quickly learned that even in the country of Mexico, you had different cultures with their own traditions, vernacular, art forms, musical choices, and history. It was incredible. Even in my home state of Oaxaca, home to a large Indigenous population, there are seven different cultures with their own language and traditions. The sights and sounds were eye opening and captivating. I was inspired by the Oaxacan artisans’ creativity and ingenuity. I almost decided to stay and finish my studies abroad, but other plans awaited me.
My cultural identity issue popped into my head again during my sabbatical. Since my family migrated to the states when I was four, I expected to be greeted as a stranger by my Mexican family. Somebody who was Americanized, somebody who was a stranger, or another tourist in their country. To my surprise, my aunts, uncles, and cousins greeted me with open arms, and everyone made me feel like I was one of them. That was a key defining moment in my life! They cried when I was reunited with them after 23 years. They didn’t care about my upbringing, education or even that I had a funny accent when speaking Spanish. They did not care at all. There were no questions or no distinctions, no borders, or silos. I was an Oropeza who was loved and one of the family. I finally found my sense of belonging. I no longer felt the need to understand what profile or demographic I belonged to. I was a family member who was loved and accepted. That’s all it came down to. It was about family.
And the parallels to the fleet industry reflect those same family-oriented values. I see the industry and all the wonderful people helping each other and making others feel welcomed. I’ve sat in Client Advisory Board meetings where clients from diverse backgrounds and industries are more than happy to offer a helping hand when someone needs it. In the various fleet event panels I’ve participated in, I loved hearing the rich experiences and learnings that fleet professionals bring. This willingness to share is unique in the fleet industry, and I love it. This industry cares and is accepting of others. It’s evident of how much fleet professionals want each other to succeed. So, just like heritage is about family, so too is fleet.
Hispanic Heritage Month reminds me about family unity, cherishing diverse backgrounds, and being accepting of ideas and progress. I am sure many Hispanics still struggle with their identity, especially those that are raised in two different cultures. If you know someone like that, tell them that you wish them a happy Hispanic Heritage Month and listen to their story. You may be amazed to learn about their struggles and how they overcame adversity. You could uncover something new that will help you understand that person better. Happy Hispanic Heritage month to all my Hispanic friends from South to Central America, the Caribbean, and all of the countries of Hispanic origin. May your journey and story inspire others.
This article originally appeared in AFLA News.