I'm Mexican, I'm Latina, I'm Hispanic, I'm American, I speak English y hablo español.
"Racial pride can foment racial prejudice, as in the case of white supremacists. But for members of groups marginalized because of race or ethnicity, involvement in activities that promote group pride can help lessen or offset the effects of racial discrimination and social prejudice. Though race and ethnicity are among the most divisive concepts in history, both irrevocably shape our social, personal, and cultural experiences."
Race and ethnicity are two concepts related to human ancestry. When I am asked about my race, I choose white; when asked about my ethnicity I choose Latina or Hispanic, even though I am an American citizen, have 2 kids born in the United States and I speak English.
Sometimes I feel like I am not from here nor there... "no soy de aquí, ni soy de allá." I do not imagine myself living in Mexico again. After 27 years of living in the States it would be much easier to identify as an American, but deep down there is this knowledge that I am different. I first experienced that feeling in the early nineties. Nashville was not diverse then, I was shopping at a Target when I heard a little kid saying to his mom: "Look mom, that is an ugly woman." I know I am not ugly, but to this kid different meant ugly. Funny thing, 10 years later, when the movie Frida was a hit, I was told more than once that I looked like Salma Hayek, that made me LOL, but again, I knew I was different, exotic if you will, but different.
When my English was incipient, I could not get a job related to my bachelor's degree. I came to the States because my then husband was pursuing a career in Science --which is better funded in the US than Mexico-- I gave his career priority over mine. I was raised to be a housewife, even though I got a college degree. I supported his dreams working odd jobs, from cleaning houses to nannying. Still, I've always been privileged somehow: I came with a visa, had permission to work, I eventually got my citizenship and lived in an affluent neighborhood. I stayed home when my kids were little; I managed to get better at my English; I started working as a Spanish Medical Interpreter at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital helping people that do not speak English fluently communicate with medical providers; and always had my photography hobby/business as a way of creative outlet where I didn't need words to express myself.
I came to the States a long time ago, but my family is still in Mexico, I identify with my ancestors more than I identify with the place I live, even though I love living in Nashville, I love being married to a Tennessean husband and now speaking more English than Spanish even though my brain rests in Spanish. I do all this without worrying about being deported like the people that were brought to the US as children that had that fear, but still are and feel more American than I ever will. That is why I am so happy that the Supreme Court ruled that DACA recipients can continue to live and work in the US without the daily fear of deportation. Home is here.
MEXICAN: Born in Mexico
LATINO is a term that is telling you about GEOGRAPHY. It means: FROM LATIN AMERICA.
Latin America refers mostly to everything below the United States of America, including the Caribbean.
HISPANIC is a term that is telling you about LANGUAGE. It means: From a Country whose primary language is SPANISH.
