Jay Marie Fernandez,
Bridgeport, CT.
With white skin, being of Hispanic origin, in a household that did not speak Spanish, in a predominantly Spanish speaking neighborhood, this sentiment taught me being Hispanic or Latina was something to be hidden. The kids hated me because I thought I was better than them, proudly pri-claiming “I’m white”…now I still struggle with these issues. My kids are all black/white, and people ask if they’re Hispanic. I still have to check my negative emotions and stereotypical responses. Recognizing and embracing your ethnicity identify and acknowledging how others self-ididentify will not hurt. I promise.
