Introduction When tasked with the assignment of interviewing a person that considers himself or herself culturally marginalized, the first person that came to mind was Melissa DelRio. Melissa is a close friend and former social worker for the Department of Health and Welfare. Melissa has advocated for the needs of her own children, patients and other families within the community for as long as I have known her.
Lineage
Melissa was born to Diane and Ray Martos, in San Diego California. Melissa’s parents were first generation American citizens who moved to the United States from Guam during high school. Both of Melissa’s parents are Chamorro, of Pacific Island descent. Melissa grew up and spent all of her adolescence in San Diego surrounded by her mother and father’s extended family.
Heritages, Traditions & Customs
Some of the main cultural heritages Melissa received from her family were to remember her ancestors, to be proud of her lineage and that family comes first. Chamorro cultural values …show more content…
Educationally Melissa does not remember being treated differently than other students in her class. However, culturally and demographically Melissa recalls being treated differently by the community of Boise. Melissa said the majority of rude remarks or vandalism that she experienced was due to her being a Californian. In moving to Idaho from California, Melissa recalls seeing “don’t Californicate” bumper stickers on cars. She also shared how before she was able to change her license plates to Idaho plates, her tires were slashed twice. Melissa recalls multiple remarks being said to her about Californians not being welcome in Idaho and to go back where she came from. While Melissa did not feel like it was a direct attack on her culture, she does remember that for years native Idahoans verbally assaulted Californians and she felt
Lineage
Melissa was born to Diane and Ray Martos, in San Diego California. Melissa’s parents were first generation American citizens who moved to the United States from Guam during high school. Both of Melissa’s parents are Chamorro, of Pacific Island descent. Melissa grew up and spent all of her adolescence in San Diego surrounded by her mother and father’s extended family.
Heritages, Traditions & Customs
Some of the main cultural heritages Melissa received from her family were to remember her ancestors, to be proud of her lineage and that family comes first. Chamorro cultural values …show more content…
Educationally Melissa does not remember being treated differently than other students in her class. However, culturally and demographically Melissa recalls being treated differently by the community of Boise. Melissa said the majority of rude remarks or vandalism that she experienced was due to her being a Californian. In moving to Idaho from California, Melissa recalls seeing “don’t Californicate” bumper stickers on cars. She also shared how before she was able to change her license plates to Idaho plates, her tires were slashed twice. Melissa recalls multiple remarks being said to her about Californians not being welcome in Idaho and to go back where she came from. While Melissa did not feel like it was a direct attack on her culture, she does remember that for years native Idahoans verbally assaulted Californians and she felt