Rebecca Rodriguez
Baltimore, MD
This is a picture of my brother and I. Constantly he gets accused of being Arab, Mexican or Italian from Caucasians, “White guy” from African Americans, and Persian from Iranians. My story falls somewhere along the same line. We both grew up Latino (Guatemalan to be specific), and even then – “You’re Guatemalan? You don’t look it”, if the response we both get from EVERY hispanic/latino we meet. So where do we fall? Culturally were Hispanics, ethnically, were chameleons. I am okay with that.
My “look” got me through Europe unscathed. I went to Morocco with not a single questionable glance that I do not belong. I was approached in Amsterdam (in the red light district to be exact) by all the friendly pimps on the strip as ” EY! ESPANOLA”. And not even two hours after landing in Spain and walking around Madrid, I was stopped by a Spaniard and was asked for directions. “Lo siento, pero no soy de aqui y no te puedo ayudar”, I responded.
I love my white skin in the winter and my contrasting black hair. And my brown tanned skin in the summer. Its fine if you are confused about what I am, or what you think I am. I am a proud Hispanic American who can proudly wear many hats. And there is nothing wrong with that.
