Latin America has light-skinned racists too.
Patricia Linderman, Mexico. I’m the spouse of a US diplomat, and we have lived in four Latin American countries for a total of 11 years....
I’m Hispanic but I’m not Mexican
Ernesto C., Riverside, CA. Living in Southern California, I’ve noticed that many people don’t seem to know that there are other cultures besides Mexican. This...
My brown skin is beautiful okay?
Vanessa Guzman, Corona, CA. I am a Mexican women who has brown skin and all my life I was always self conscious about it because...
Wishing I knew my own language.
Celestina Garcia, Bloomington, IN. Cripplingly aware of my Hispanic heritage, yet I feel that it doesn’t belong to me. I have my mother’s Anglo nose,...
Young Hispanic male, possible gang member
Jonathan Pineda, San Francisco, CA. I’ve been living in the Mission District all of my life, due to the gentrification going on and many natives...
Wow, you are the melting pot.
Natalie Mariam Pattillo Alpine, TX It always seems that my ethnic background becomes a guessing game at dinner parties. Even strangers will come up to...
Not Mexican, stop calling me that
Carolina, Powder Springs, GA. As a Hispanic person, being called Mexican can be seen as an insult, but what is worst; the fact that I...
“You’re not smart. You are Hispanic”
Lauren Jewert, Colorado Springs, CO. Anthropology Class 101, Dr. Sandi Harvey
So, did you all eat tacos?
Hilary Salazar, McAllen, TX. I attended a middle school with only seven Hispanics/Latinos. One day during 2nd period, the librarian called all seven of us...
I don’t consider you a Hispanic.
Ruth Santiago, Rochester, NY. A very close long time friend said this to me. I was totally taken off-guard. I asked for an explanation. She...
I am Mexican, Black, and American
My 6 word memoir is about my family because I am Mexican, but my cousins are black and Mexican. Most of my family is Mexican...
Oh, you’re white, right? No, actually.
Hilary Forrest, Pasadena, CA. Every single time a person meets me, they’ll assume my race is “white.” That’s where you’re wrong. My nationality is American;...
Hispanic. Gay. Handicapped. All minor details.
Tomas Sanchez, Forth Worth, TX. It’s so easy to choose any single part of you to define your identity. When you have more than one,...
Are you Hispanic, or just Italian?
Rachel Masilamani, Pittsburgh, PA. I was eating lunch alone in the break room on my first day at an office job when 3 of my...
Are you some sort of Hispanic?
Anthony Caraballo, Philadelphia, PA. Technically, American who is ethnicity is Latino. My family is from Puerto Rico.
I look white but I’m hispanic
Kassandra Lynn Pasquale, Bonner Springs, KS. I never really liked how people automatically assume that I’m white just because I always really pale. Just because...
We are not all from Mexico
Katia Pérez Amaya, Charlotte, NC. Everyone that is not open minded see ALL Hispanic/Latinos that they are from Mexico and well of course that is...
You don’t sound like a Hispanic!
Susie Gonzalez, San Antonio, TX. I had just gotten married and opted to add my husband’s last name to my byline as a newspaper reporter....
