If you didn't already know, I am half Brazilian on my father's side, so I am Brazilian-American. My parents met in the 90s in Martha's Vineyard after my father had left his home in Minas Gerais, and they had me in 2001. Their relationship didn't last, and I live with my mother. Because of this, I wasn't surrounded by Brazilian culture in my everyday life. I lost touch with it especially in middle school, when I didn't have as close of a relationship with my father anymore. Once we reconnected in high school I really got to experience my culture more, but it still left me feeling insecure about my identity.     I've always been proud of who I am, and the culture I have been apart of. I love Brazilian food and music, and I think Portuguese is a beautiful language even though I cannot speak it entirely. If I could easily ignore the comments others have made about me, I think I would feel completely confident in who I am, and I wouldn't be embarrassed that