Tex-Mex Heritage and the Importance of Family Values: Barbara Martinez
Holland & Knight's Diversity Council and Hispanic Affinity Group are proud to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and honor the generations of Hispanics who have enriched America's history and continue to shape its future. We are pleased to present the 2025 video series, featuring meaningful conversations from across our community. We hope the stories shared in these episodes inspire those exploring their roots and shine a light on the contributions Hispanics bring to the legal profession and beyond.
In this video, Miami Partner Barbara Martinez shares her experience being raised as a third-generation Mexican in southern Texas. Despite being marginalized, staying rooted in her family's customs and identity allowed her to look past other people's opinions and expectations. Ms. Martinez added that she stays connected to her heritage by celebrating holidays such as Dia de los Muertos and, more importantly, remembering the core values that she was raised with: family, faith, work ethic, hope and positivity.
Barbara Martinez: I am of Mexican descent, even though I live in Miami. And so I was born and raised in McAllen, Texas. My parents and grandparents were all born and raised in the same area in Texas. My great-grandparents were born in Mexico.
I'm not a first- or second-generation Hispanic, which a lot of people in the office that, you know, in Miami, for example, are. So my heritage and my background [are] a mix. It's Tex-Mex, if you will. For us, we continue the traditions and the family customs. And we celebrate certain holidays, including Día de los Muertos or Day of the Dead. It's a very positive and colorful and happy thing. But I think more importantly, it's about remaining deeply rooted and committed to what those traditions and customs really stand for. They're about love and family and faith and work ethic and hope and positivity, and it keeps you rooted.
I experienced racism and prejudice in various ways growing up. It was common enough that I didn't necessarily put a lot of credence into it. It was like something that you just saw and dealt with. And I heard friends, parents or others, you know, say derogatory things about Mexicans, you know, in my presence. I also had some adults suggest — teachers — that although I was smart, that I would not go as far easily because of my background. I think that they just believed that it would be difficult for me. I didn't. I didn't believe that because my family didn't. My family knew that those sentiments existed. It wasn't all great and happy all the time, but they always taught us to focus our time and energy on the positive.
My mom passed away earlier this year, and it was really special for me to think about her and my grandmother and the wonderful memories and traditions that they passed on to us. It's at the core of everything I have done in my life and who I am.