The article discusses the author's experience of discovering her Colombian adoption at 19 and the ensuing loss of her birth name, Elisa Contreras Nieves. Emphasizing identity struggles, she chose to hyphenate her last name upon marriage to preserve a sense of belonging amid confusion over her heritage. The name change disrupted her connection to her Latino roots, triggering feelings of racial ambiguity. Through her journey, she reflects on family, culture, and the significance of one's name in understanding personal identity.
At 19, I discovered I had been adopted from Colombia and my name had been changed, prompting a deep reflection on my identity.
Deciding to hyphenate my last name when I married was an effort to hold onto my identity after years of losing it through adoption.
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