“Whenever I mention being First Gen, or even that my parents didn't finish high school, people ask if my parents didn't expect me to even go to college. Microaggressions like these, being surprised that I made it to college and one like CMU, are often brushed aside. When I get offended by the question, the initial response is that I'm too sensitive. But why do you feel like you can ask me something like that? Do I go around asking others if their achievements came as a surprise? Do I ask you, how did you succeed academically without an example to emulate? How do you not see how rude you're being, as if your accomplishments are to be expected but mine is a nice surprise? As if I didn't work just as hard, as if I should be grateful to be here.”
- Anonymous first-gen Hispanic female
- Anonymous first-gen Hispanic female