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What does it mean to be a first-generation child? (Rebroadcast)
Alejandra Campoverdi (L) and Michael Steele at 'The Obama Legacy' panel during Politicon at Pasadena Convention Center on in Pasadena, California.
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34:21
Being the first to do something can be daunting. Instead of following a map, you’re the one charting it.
Maybe you’re the first in your family to go to college, or you chose not to go to school, unlike the rest of your family. Maybe you started a small business or dropped everything and moved to New York. In some way, you chose to break from family tradition and history. This is often the case for first-generation children of people who immigrate to America.
Alejandra Campoverdiexplores this in her memoir“First Gen,”and many things that may be familiar for first-generation kids: the invisible inheritances passed onto us from our family, being a “parentified child,” imposter syndrome, balancing two cultural identities, and guilt for breaking away from our families in some way.
She explores the emotional toll of these collective experiences in her memoir “First Gen.” It’s out Sept. 12.
We talk to Alejandra about what it means to be a “First and Only” in your family or any other space.
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Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
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Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
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