Eugenia Kristina Draper,
Scottsdale, AZ
I am 100% Colombian and grew up in a fully Spanish speaking family with both parents having immgigrated to the United States from Colombia . Spanish is my first language. My maiden name is Garcia. Yet, here in the states people are surprised that I am Hispanic / Latin. They stereotype me based on my fair skin and blue eyes and blonde hair and are shocked when I turn to speak Spanish to my mother or family. The irony is that this happens in reverse in Colombia; where I don’t look like everyone else and despite speaking the language fluently, am assumed to not belong and called gringa.