Who Am I? One Proud American

Published: October 01, 2001, By Yolanda Simonsis, Associate Publisher/Editor

People often ask me, what kind of name is Yolanda Simonsis? It's a standard question posed by new acquaintances. Fellow Americans, who come from dissimilar backgrounds themselves, and international visitors alike simply want to know a person's roots. The question reflects a curiosity since, for the most part, when you go to Germany, the people who live there are German by heritage; in Turkey, they are Turkish; in Ireland, they're Irish; in Japan, they're Japanese; and so on. But America is such a melting pot of ethnicity.

In the past, I felt obliged to run through a litany of cultures that comprise my ethnic heritage. I usually started with the background of my last name, my husband's surname. “It's Bohemian,” I'd explain to the questioner. After raised eyebrows morphed into furrowed brows, I further explained: “Actually, Bohemia doesn't exist anymore, so I guess you'd call it Czech.” Then I'd continue, “But my husband is actually Czech and Russian. His grandparents on his mother's side migrated to the US in that eventful year of 1917, and he has no idea when the Bohemian side of the family settled here.

“As for me, I'm really a mix of heritages,” I'd say. “My father's surname is Ferrer. That's Spanish.” Then more raised eyebrows. “You don't look Spanish!” they'd say. For some reason I felt the need to explain further, “Well, my grandfather is from Aragon, and my grandmother is from the Basque province of Spain. My mom's side of the family can be traced to before the Revolutionary War. She's Irish, English, Scottish, German, and — the part I'm most proud of — American Indian.” I'd conclude: “I'm a little bit of almost everything… and my children are very confused!”

My husband once anecdotally suggested after witnessing my litany, “Why don't you just say you're American?” Although I hate to admit that my husband is ever right, he is this time. In fact, he's dead right on the mark.

If I choose to give a litany in the future, I will gladly elaborate: “I come from a people who celebrate each person's diversity and individuality through inalienable rights and freedoms guaranteed by law. I come from a country where tradition calls for us to stand up united through our differences and flaws when tragedy strikes, for it injures us all.”

With other caring individuals around the world, I pray for all who died so tragically on September 11th, and for those who must face the future without loved ones. I will contribute to the American Red Cross for those in need. Most of all, I am resolved to prove our cowardly attackers wrong. I will not trade my liberties for incapacitating fear. I will invest in the stock market and go about my American way of life as we all integrate our personal lives and economic investments with the rest of the world — as usual.

One thing has changed, however. As of September 11, 2001, my ethnic description became exceedingly simple: I am one proud American.

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