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.