Growing up in the St. John Valley, French heritage was all around me. But so was a long history of animosity toward French people and the French language. For generations, families were discouraged from speaking French and passing it down to their children. In my family, that meant the language was never passed down to me. That’s something we shouldn’t forget. Everyone should have the right to be proud of who they are, where they come from, and the culture and traditions that connect them to their community. Especially in challenging times like these, there is strength in celebrating what brings us together. Merci à l’Alliance Française du Maine. Thank you for celebrating and supporting French culture here in Maine.