Vanessa Colorado / Mexico
What being Latin means to me? It.s hard to write this and put together all my thoughts and emotions into one page. Its assumptions of when I was younger that because I look Latin that I was part of a gang when I wasn’t. It means being told that I don’t “look Mexican” by a gentleman because he said “ I wasn’t dark and short” were his words. I sometimes would avoid the question “where are you from? By responding ‘from Los Angeles” knowing damn well they meant what nationality I was, I just met you how is it going to affect the conversion ... So you can tell me that Mexican food is your favorite! I would also get this question from other Latinos that weren’t Mexican and would get a “oh” you don’t look Mexican from them too. We have discrimination within our own community and its sad. I understand how frustrating it is to be lumped up into one nationality especially if you live in Los Angeles, but instead of being insulted by the comparison we just need to educate people that there are people here from different countries.
I am second generation on my Moms side she was born in Guadalajara, Mexico and third generation on my dads side he was born in El Paso, TX. So growing up there was the best of both worlds authentic Mexican food, Vicente Fernandez and on my Dads (since he was in the service and traveled the world) we had good BBQ, Stir Fry, learned how to use chopsticks at an early age and listened to everything from Gypsy Kings to TexMex. :) Although my mom only finished 6th grade back in Mexico she was the one that would help out with homework and was very smart, My Dad was a graduate of Pepperdine University and a Engineer for Aerospace.
Growing up Latino means weekends with family and friends that end up becoming family. Listening to some of my mom and dads favorite m. I loved my upbringing craziness and all. I was wasn’t raised like what you would think a typical “Mexican” household. My family is the United Nations we represent a melting pot of nationalities, Korean, African American, Caucasian, just to name a few and because of it I was exposed to some many different foods, music, and cultures and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Being Latino was something I used to be ashamed because as a kid growing up watching TV, I thought beauty was having colored eyes and Blonde Hair, because thats all you would see in the 80’s and early 90’s. Now thankfully we see more and more Latinos being represented on TV and not necessarily as help or in negative light. As I have grown older I now celebrate and could not be more proud of being Latin!
Being a Latino to me represents Family, Passion, hard work, and constantly trying to provide a better life for your family.
I am second generation on my Moms side she was born in Guadalajara, Mexico and third generation on my dads side he was born in El Paso, TX. So growing up there was the best of both worlds authentic Mexican food, Vicente Fernandez and on my Dads (since he was in the service and traveled the world) we had good BBQ, Stir Fry, learned how to use chopsticks at an early age and listened to everything from Gypsy Kings to TexMex. :) Although my mom only finished 6th grade back in Mexico she was the one that would help out with homework and was very smart, My Dad was a graduate of Pepperdine University and a Engineer for Aerospace.
Growing up Latino means weekends with family and friends that end up becoming family. Listening to some of my mom and dads favorite m. I loved my upbringing craziness and all. I was wasn’t raised like what you would think a typical “Mexican” household. My family is the United Nations we represent a melting pot of nationalities, Korean, African American, Caucasian, just to name a few and because of it I was exposed to some many different foods, music, and cultures and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Being Latino was something I used to be ashamed because as a kid growing up watching TV, I thought beauty was having colored eyes and Blonde Hair, because thats all you would see in the 80’s and early 90’s. Now thankfully we see more and more Latinos being represented on TV and not necessarily as help or in negative light. As I have grown older I now celebrate and could not be more proud of being Latin!
Being a Latino to me represents Family, Passion, hard work, and constantly trying to provide a better life for your family.