Por Diana Cervantes
Para Gabriela Guzmán, ser hispana y ser hija de inmigrantes mexicanos no es solo parte de su identidad. Es una responsabilidad que porta con orgullo.
Guzmán es investigadora asociada de la División de Agricultura y Recursos Naturales de la Universidad de California (UC ANR), donde desde ahí aporta su trabajo más reciente sobre el comportamiento de las ratas en distintos entornos — una investigación que combina ciencia con servicio a la comunidad, y que ella teje con su propia experiencia de crecer entre dos culturas.
Una comunidad que representar
"Ser hispana, ser una hija de padres inmigrantes mexicanos, es un orgullo profundo y también una responsabilidad", señaló Guzmán.
"Es saber que mi identidad no solo me pertenece a mí; represento a una comunidad, una comunidad resistente, trabajadora, llena de imaginación y mucho orgullo".
Durante el Mes de la Herencia Hispana, Guzmán piensa especialmente en la fortaleza de esa comunidad. Una comunidad que, dice, sabe unirse para apoyarse y protegerse mutuamente. Esa solidaridad, agrega, también puede extenderse hacia otros grupos en momentos difíciles.
Ni de aquí, ni de allá
Crecer entre dos culturas trae consigo una frase conocida para muchos: "ni de aquí, ni de allá".
Guzmán, hija de inmigrantes, ha aprendido a interpretarla de otra manera.
"Estoy aprendiendo que esto no significa ser incompleta, significa tener dos mundos que me moldean y enriquecen", dijo.
Raíces en la vida cotidiana
Guzmán mantiene vivo el vínculo con México a través de acciones simples. Habla español con su familia. Lee en español. Disfruta de música y programas en ese idioma.
También busca oportunidades para usar el español en su trabajo y conectar con personas que comparten experiencias e identidades similares.
Las tradiciones familiares refuerzan esa conexión — y la comida ocupa un lugar especial entre ellas.
Para Guzmán, los alimentos y las recetas familiares son más que costumbre: son un recordatorio de la innovación, la resistencia y el cariño presentes en su cultura.
Compartir la herencia
A través de historias, música, arte, comida, fútbol y otras costumbres, Guzmán busca mantener vivas sus raíces — y al mismo tiempo, acercar a otros a la riqueza de la cultura hispana.
Para ella, pertenecer a dos mundos no significa elegir entre ellos. Significa reconocer que ambos forman parte de quien es y de la manera en que se relaciona con su comunidad.
Two Worlds That Enrich One Identity
By Diana Cervantes
For Gabriela Guzmán, being Hispanic and the daughter of Mexican immigrants is not just part of her identity. It's a responsibility she carries with pride.
Guzmán is an associate researcher with the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR), where she brings her latest research on rat behavior across different environments — work that blends science with community service, and that she weaves together with her own experience of growing up between two cultures.
A Community to Represent
"Being Hispanic, being the daughter of Mexican immigrant parents, is a profound source of pride and also a responsibility," Guzmán said.
"It means knowing my identity doesn't belong to me alone; I represent a community — a resilient, hardworking community, full of imagination and pride."
During Hispanic Heritage Month, Guzmán reflects especially on the strength of that community. A community that, she says, knows how to come together to support and protect one another. That solidarity, she adds, can also extend to other groups in difficult times.
"Neither From Here, Nor From There"
Growing up between two cultures brings with it a phrase familiar to many: "neither from here, nor from there."
Guzmán, the daughter of immigrants, has learned to interpret it differently.
"I'm learning that this doesn't mean being incomplete — it means having two worlds that shape and enrich me," she said.
Roots in Everyday Life
Guzmán keeps her connection to Mexico alive through simple, everyday actions. She speaks Spanish with her family. She reads in Spanish. She enjoys music and programs in the language.
She also looks for opportunities to use Spanish in her work and connect with people who share similar experiences and identities.
Family traditions reinforce that connection — and food holds a special place among them.
For Guzmán, family dishes and recipes are more than tradition: they're a reminder of the innovation, resilience and love present in her culture.
Sharing the Heritage
Through stories, music, art, food, soccer and other customs, Guzmán works to keep her roots alive — while also bringing others closer to the richness of Hispanic culture.
For her, belonging to two worlds doesn't mean choosing between them. It means recognizing that both are part of who she is, and part of how she relates to her community.