U.S. Cultural Perceptions of Latinos

I was recently inspired by my friend Sara's video of common questions Latinos in the U.S. get asked quite often. After seeing the video, it made me think about everything I have ever been asked during my lifetime of identifying as Mexican-American. For some reason, perceptions of Latinos in the U.S. are not as open-minded as one may think. And it is something me and many other Latinos experience on a daily basis.

The "What Are You?" Question - Latinos, Hispanics Are Constantly Asked Their Race by Sara Inés Calderón

Ethnic stereotypes are visible in every culture, and extremely so for Latinos. Latinos come in every shape, color and size, and some people still need to get used to that fact. Although many of us have indigenous roots, many of us also have Spanish blood or have ancestors from Spain that immigrated to Latin America.

Stereotypes may form because of what media has portrayed as a "typical" Latino, or it may have to do with the need to have some sort of identity, whether it be cultural or not. Based off what we determine as our identity, usually leads people to treat others according so.

"Because people have a script in their heads: how to act and what to say when they meet certain people. If they don't know 'what' someone is (man, woman, gay, straights, Hispanic or not) they feel lost and they don't know how to act," said Vashti, a native of the island of Puerto Rico who moved to the U.S. when she was 17.

But with the popularity of stereotypes, also becomes "fact" for many. For many, seeing or hearing stereotypes becomes accurate because that is what they are most used to and the only info they can rely on about Latinos.

"I think that because Latinos aren't integrated into many aspects of our society — corporate boardrooms and places where decisions about media content are made for example — stereotypes replace actual knowledge about what latinos are, or are like. So then you get stereotypes becoming "fact" for some people, though the rest of us are left which a much more complex reality in which latinos -- just like people in the u.s. -- come in all shapes and sizes (and colors)," said Calderón, Director of Social Media and Partner Development at MiTú Network.

Stephanie Cuevas, who identifies as Mexican-American, encountered an interesting situation when she was marked as "White" instead of "Hispanic" by a police officer "Since we don't have the freedom to claim our identity in government forms as we please, I think people are confused when they look at others. I think the type of thought process people stumble upon when they find a racially ambiguous person is, 'You don't quite fit that box that I know, but you must fit into a box'," said Cuevas.

Cuevas corrected her speeding ticket.



Cuevas continued, "I would compare America's portrayal and perception of race to the census. The census asks us to "check off boxes" according to our background. It tries to put populations into monolithic categories, yet these categories shift. For example, in 1930, Mexican was considered a race. However, in 1940, and future recordings of the census, it was no longer offered. The races listed on the census can be listed like nationalities in some cases, and other cases it's clor of skin, like white or black. The list of "races" has grown and changed over the years, and I find that completely fascinating. We're supposed to fit into these boxes, and yet the "categories" are shifting constantly. It's as thought there is an outside entity that's trying to define us, when we should have the freedom to define our own identity."

Retaining Your Cultural Heritage Through College

Sometimes with the start of a new chapter in one’s life, it’s difficult to hold one’s heritage close. And for some, the fear of losing one’s cultural roots may prevent someone from attending college far away or stepping off to a new adventure. This is why it’s so important to see the value of being a Latina or Latina-American in a different setting from how you grew up.

One of the greatest things about living in the United States is that you’re surrounded by so many cultures and cultural perspectives. And many grow up in a household that celebrates more than one culture and speaks more than one language. Today, there are roughly 53 million Hispanics in the United States, making it the largest ethnic minority in our nation. And for states such as California, Hispanics are the majority.

California native and Yale graduate, Stephanie Cuevas said, “My high school was approximately 90% Latino. Transitioning to college at Yale, where Latinos only made up 10% of the student population, was a bit of a culture shock.”

Many can relate to this situation, and one of the best things to avoid feeling out of place is joining an organization that celebrates Latino culture and taking Latino studies courses. This will not only help with avoiding feeling out of place, but one can find many in the same boat to relate with.

“As a light skinned Mexican-American, my peers often questioned my relationship to my cultural identity and would sometimes label me as "white." Rather than assimilating, I took courses in Latino studies and maintained involvement in our cultural house, La Casa Cultural. Through these steps, I grew closer to my family's roots, and further explored what it means to be a Latino in America. We are a rich and diverse group with similar, but different, cultural perspectives,” said Cuevas.

“Don't let fear stop you from putting yourself out there to meet new people in clubs or organizations. Joining a club organization with a cultural focus will be your home away from home. Most universities have international clubs for culture, comida, or even Hispanic interests! Yes, even in dominantly non-Latino schools! If your school doesn't have one, you might consider starting your own to unite other Latinos,” said Jasmine Villa, Latinitas Communications and Fundraising Assistant.

Other than joining clubs or organizations, keep speaking and practicing Spanish - whether it’s calling a family member or just reading a book in Spanish. It’s a quality so imperative to have for today’s growing demographic. In fact, according to the Pew Research Center, the number of Spanish speakers in the U.S. has grown rapidly over the past few decades. Today, there are 37.6 million Spanish speakers, making it the most spoken language after English. It’s a quality many don’t see the importance of at a young age, but see the role it plays when getting into professional careers. And it’s also a quality many are envious for not having - so feel empowered!

“Practice your Spanish as often as you can. Speak Spanish, write in Spanish, and read in Spanish,” said Alexandra Landeros, Freelance Writer and Publicist.

And lastly, don’t ever feel out of place. Being with people who make you proud of who you are and ones you can count on lead to a satisfying and fulfilling college experience.

Read the original article on Latinitas Magazine.

Life of Latina Bloggers

The role of Latina bloggers, or “blogueras,” is becoming more prevalent in all forms of social media. Latina women from various age groups are creating popular blogs. They hold a strong community in the online media world not only because of their excellent writing skills or savvy issues they choose to write about, but also because they play a crucial role in bringing a different perspective to the table. These Latina bloggers are are gaining a following and getting their voice heard online.

Sara Inés Calderón, writer for various blogs, such as Latinopia, TechCrunch, and Politic365, states, “I think being a woman who is Latina — or a “double minority” — does add another layer of perspective, but so does being a man. I don’t think it’s better or worse, just different. But I think that because women are generally more social and more involved with different groups of people, sometimes Latinas can bring a variety of perspectives together that others might not be able to.” 

Latinos in Social Media (LATISM): 

The strong unison of Latina bloggers can be seen in groups specializing on blogging. For example, LATISM, which stands for Latinos in Social Media, is a group of bloggers coming from every writing background — from political standpoints to living an eco-friendly lifestyle. With over 150,000 likes on Facebook, LATISM is taking the Latino blogging community by storm.

The Latina Voice: 

Alexandra Landeros, Co-Chair and Co-Founder of LATISM Austin Chapter, and blogger of Chronicles of Undercover Mexican Girl, describes how her passion of writing came about:

“I’ve been writing as long as I can remember. As young as 6 or 7 years old, I loved to make up stories – sometimes I would imagine stories while I was laying down at night before falling asleep, or while I was daydreaming on a rainy day. They were usually stories of adventure and romance. Growing up in the early 1980s, I was influenced by movies such as Goonies and Indiana Jones, by TV segments such 3-2-1 Contact’s Bloodhound Gang, and by the books of C.S. Lewis and Lucy Maud Montgomery. 

In addition to writing, I loved to handmake the books where I’d write down my stories. I’d take looseleaf and construction paper, using a needle and thread – or staples – to bound together a book. Then I would write a story out of my imagination, complete with drawings. When I was finished, I’d draw a bar code on the book. Even then, I was entrepreneurial about my writing. I knew I wanted to be able to sell my work and make a living as a writer.” 

Blogs by Latinas is another website dedicated to the Latina blogger world. It’s an online directory of Latina bloggers, covering every issue you can imagine. “The BBL Blog is all about my blogging world, social media, inspring Latinas, and Latino news,” says Monique Frausto, the creator and founder of BBL.

According to Luviano, “Today, Latina bloggers are being interviewed on national television, courted by many companies and getting book deals. But one thing is certain – they have not even come close to maximum exposure.” 

Join the blogosphere at MyLatinitas.com: 

Whether you were inspired by a TV show, or looking up to your siblings like I did, the most important thing about someone’s role as a writer/blogger is to tell the truth. Adding your personal creativity to a story is also what makes the story original, and what makes readers wanting to read more of your work. It is those critical and independent thinkers who are going to move our world forward, and it starts with YOU!

Think you’re too young to start your own blog? Wrong! Join MyLatinitas.com today and share your voice on issues you are passionate about with other like-minded youth.

All in all, blogging is a great way to express your creativity and personal beliefs. It’s not only great for writing, but it also leads you into the world of marketing or journalism. One day you would write about your family, while the next you see yourself writing about that great product you bought. Once you put yourself out there, you will see yourself making connections and creating a larger impact in the communications world.

Read the original article on Latinitas Magazine.

Expectations/Pressures from Mexican Culture on Dating as a Young Latina

By Gabriella Landeros

There are common stereotypes that Mexican families have strong conservative traditions when it comes to dating. One common stereotype is dating within one’s culture.

It may have been like this a long time ago specifically for our grandparents and great-grandparents during a time where things were more traditional, and the world wasn’t so modern. As a 22 year-old Latina I can say first hand that things have changed tremendously, at least for my family. Times have changed and my parents have coped with things they were not used to when they were my age. I constantly hear from my parents how strict it was when they were growing up.

When love and culture clash:

It all comes down to your family, and how easy they are on coping with traditional change. If a family is really close to their rural Mexican roots, they will have their own set of customs such as going out in a group, instead of alone with the date. For example, in Mexico, one common expectation is getting the father’s approval since he is the head of the household. For women, the guidelines are more strict because the father is letting their little girl go off with another man.

Debora Hernandez, a senior at the University of California, Riverside stated, “As an individual you always want to please your parents and make them proud, but I have always been very independent and moved to the beat of my own drum.”

Victoria Servin, an editorial-translator intern for Latinitas and Linguistics and Translation student at the University of Texas at El Paso, explains how she followed her mother’s wishes, “Personally I didn’t want a boyfriend in high school so it didn’t really bother me too much. I never really felt the need to rebel against my parents and I didn’t do it out of spite, I guess I just agreed.”

In Mexico, your family is your biggest dating pressure.

Essentially, you are not only dating the man/woman, but you are dating the family; almost becoming part of the family in which they expect you to hold conservative values. Another common conception is that girls are not officially allowed to date until they turn 15, the age they become a woman and have the option to have a quinceañera.

When asked about dating in high school at a young age, Victoria Servin stated, “My mother didn’t want me to have a boyfriends because she didn’t want me to fall under the hispanic teen pregnancy statistic. She wanted me to go to school, or travel, she didn’t want me to date anyone.”

Today the Mexican-American culture is really not much different from other cultures in the U.S. Like all concerned parents, my parents did have some influence over who I dated. They wanted to meet them and learn more about them, rather than “I’m going out with so and so.” And questions most parents ask, “Where did you meet him?” “What does he study?” “How old is he?” etc.

On the other hand, some parents are less eager to want to meet every person their daughter dates. Servin comments, ”Most mexican moms want to know who you go out with, my mom doesn’t want to meet anyone; I think it’s because no matter who I date, it’s not going to be good enough.”

Today, women are also seen as more independent and as the breadwinners of the house. Melissa Garcia, a graduate from the University of California, Riverside states, “I think my parents main concern is that I date someone that can support me, but as a 2012 Latina, that is not needed anymore. I think I am capable of fending for myself.”

We all have different experiences especially since we all come from different backgrounds. What are yours?

Read the original article on Latinitas Magazine.

The Importance Of Being Bilingual

By Gabriella Landeros

In the diverse world we live in there is a necessity to know more than one language, or at least the ability to be able to hold a conversation in a language other than your native tongue. In the United States, for example, Spanish is the second most common language and in some parts it’s the language most spoken. The ability to know another language helps maintain international relationships, and it helps extremely with your career. For some jobs it’s even mandatory to know another language. You are always going to find someone who’s English is not their native language, and just displaying an ability to speak another language says a lot about your character.

For many Latinos, speaking both English and Spanish comes in handy depending on the setting. According to the Pew Hispanic Center, “About 60% of bilingual Hispanic workers usually speak more English than Spanish at work (29%), or use only English at work (33%). Widespread Spanish language usage at work is relatively rare among bilingual workers.” When it comes to speaking Spanish at home, “English/Spanish speaking Latinos are about evenly divided in their use of Spanish and English.” All in all, Spanish is always a great plus and quality to have.

For Melisa Garcia, a graduate from the University of California, Riverside, knowing Spanish is like she has a “second identity.” Garcia stated, “I am able to help others who are new to this country, and it is all a chain. I can only use it for positive things. My children will benefit from it and will help others. It will benefit me as well, in my writing and for work.”

In my case, I grew up with English and Spanish, but when I was younger I didn’t find the real importance of Spanish. I also had a bad habit of responding in English when my parents and grandparents spoke to me in Spanish. It was probably because I didn’t feel comfortable speaking the language, especially since I got frustrated when I couldn't remember how to say something in Spanish. For whichever reason, like all kids, I was young and naive.

It wasn’t until I entered middle school that I found the importance of knowing another language because at times I had the opportunity to help someone interpret or translate English to Spanish and vice versa. The point in my life where I fell in love with knowing more than one language was when I got to college and spent a year abroad in Spain. I felt the benefits of mastering two languages because I helped my roommates in Spain with their English. I learned that if I can help someone with a language that is not their native tongue, and if I continued speaking Spanish, the possibilities are endless. Once I came back from studying abroad I became a Spanish tutor and graduated with a Minor in Spanish.

Alexandra Landeros, Public Relations & Outreach Director for the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance and Founder/Owner of Roots Public Relations, an independent agency promoting environmental stewardship and cultural heritage, states, “Knowing Spanish has given me an advantage in getting certain jobs where reaching out to the Latino community is important, it has helped me meet new friends I wouldn't have met if I didn't speak Spanish, and it's expanded my reading and film viewing options.”

When someone is bilingual, they have a window of opportunities in comparison to someone who only knows one language.  There is no better feeling than starting to learn a new language. It doesn’t matter what language it is, the only thing that matters is that it fascinates you enough to learn.

“Most major cities in the United States have another major language besides English. Knowing more than one language helps you become a better communicator. It gives you certain advantages over others who only speak English, or who only speak a foreign language,” added Alexandra.

In a country like the United States, you not only celebrate the culture of where you’re from, but you also celebrate the languages of other countries. Language is one of the many keys to success.

Read the original article on Latinitas Magazine.