A Sacred Duty- Daniel Ramos #BC4174

Tonalli- Yei Ehecatl

My name is Daniel and I am a second generation Mexican American.

I was raised in the harbor area of Southern California. Even though I've always had much pride for my Mexican heritage, I grew up in an environment where my heritage wasn't much celebrated. The rich history of our Mexica and Toltec ancestors was largely absent.

Despite these factors I've always felt a deep unspoken connection to my roots but it wasn't until my incarceration that my life took a profound term. well in prison I gained access to the teachings, history, and wisdom of our ancestor.s By diving deep into the teachings of the Mexica and Toltec civilizations, I discovered a newly found passion and drive as well as a deep spiritual connection to Quetzalecoatl- our beloved feathered serpent. He is a deity revered as a symbol of wisdom, creation, and renewal. This connection ignited a fire within me inspiring me to reclaim and honor my ancestral legacy.

Now I am fully dedicated to sharing the knowledge and teachings of our ancestors with our younger generations as well as our local communities (especially those who lack access). I Believe by keeping the sacred fire of our people's traditions alive, we can empower others to embrace their identity and heritage. I am making it my personal mission to do my part to ensure that the wisdom of the our ancestors continues to thrive. It is also my mission to inspire pride and unity amongst our brothers and sisters. This mission is more than a passion, it's a sacred duty....... Tlazocamati wel Miak