Judee Fernandez,
Los Angeles, CA.
I am a white looking Mexican woman born in Los Angeles to immigrant parents who are brown and proud. Yet all my life, I’ve been asked questions about beauty and my look, more than anyone has asked me about what I know and my experiences.
The other day, I went to get some fresh fruit from the fruit guy (vendor, we call Frutero), and as I drove up the curb to place my order, I heard the vendor say this to his friend “A esta huerita, mamacita le doy lo que quiera” (he assumed just based on how I looked that I did not speak Spanish), so I told him “solo quiero, sandia, mango y coco” and he stood frozen, turned purple and super embarrassed said, “ummm I’m sorry”. Yes, I have encountered this situation so many times, that besides it being so annoying, disrespectful, and vulgar, it also makes me feel invisible. I have green eyes, blonde hair, white skin and yes I too am Mexican.
