In The Community
“Salvadoreña? Like the MS-13?”
My eyes roll to the back of my head as I force a plastered smile explaining (again) that yes, they’re a Salvadorian gang but it was actually formed in the United States. And no, my family isn’t involved.
In my nearly 30 years of life, I have seen a slow evolution of how Salvadorian and Central American, which were synonymous with Mexican, grew into its own category. I’ll be the first to admit that growing up I had no idea Afro and Asian Latinos existed, or that not all Latinos are Indigenous because I hadn’t met any. My family consists of mestizos, and the media I consumed portrayed similar or lighter features which I accepted as canon–anything different was uncommon.
I was wrong. Latinos are primarily mixed, which gives us our broad range of features, shades, and cultural identities. Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic have a strong African influence that is evidenced in the food and music. Peru’s Asian population has left a mark as well, blending cultures and ingredients to create chifa, a cuisine of Peruvian and Chinese ingredients. The Indigenous communities have been around for millennia, with many traditions blending into mainstream Latino culture. Neither of these is less Latino than the other. Each is a piece of Latin America and our identities.
Historically, the United States hasn’t viewed Latinos in a positive light. Despite the contributions and sacrifices made in both world wars, Latinos have been treated as second-class, even when the intentions appear to be genuine. The Bracero Program was meant to prevent labor shortages but resulted in abuse of workers that continues to this day. The Zoot Suit Riots targeted Mexicans, African Americans, and other minorities. It took the 1954 Supreme Court ruling in Hernandez v. State of Texas, which held that the Fourteenth Amendment applied to all racial and ethnic groups facing discrimination, to broaden the scope and determine that civil rights laws included Hispanics and all other non-whites. Discrimination against Latinos–and especially people who are assumed to be Latino based on their appearance–is ongoing (looking at you, SB-1070).
In the media, there’s an interesting juxtaposition of Latinos being portrayed as either sultry lovers or criminals, with over-the-top performances that drive the “feisty” stereotype.
We’ve come a long way from the Old Hollywood depictions showing only what they believed was what a Latino looks like, but Black and Indigenous voices have either been erased completely or fallen to the criminal role. Stories that center the POC struggle shouldn’t be the only narrative point of view because there are so many other beautiful stories waiting to be told.
Social media is the more recent source that has been promoting various Latino voices. Social media platforms allow you to become whoever you want, no matter the niche, which becomes an easy way to educate others. Additionally, with the rising number of Latinos in academia, it’s becoming much easier for kids and young adults to see themselves in a positive light. It’s estimated that by 2025, Hispanic enrollment in higher education will exceed 4.4 million students, which surpasses the growth rate of any other racial or ethnic group. The percentage of Hispanics with STEM degrees rose from 9.8% to 14% between 2009 to 2018 and is only rising.
With hashtags such as #LatinasInSTEM or #Poderosas, and accounts dedicated to elevating Black, Indigenous, and Brown voices it is now much easier to learn about our communities. And with Black and Indigenous voices having been erased for years, creators are diving deep into the oftentimes ugly history of our countries and how we immigrated to the United States and discriminated against our own people, unafraid of having authentic discussions that involve colorism and machismo.
Slowly, educating others in our communities and those outside of it have become possible with the labor done by those committed to breaking the stereotypical barriers. Even as recent as five years ago, if you wanted to educate yourself on Afro-Latino history in Central America you’d come across several hurdles. But with a growing network of Latinos dedicated to unearthing this information it’s just a few clicks away.
Words are powerful. Connecting with others is powerful.
We are not the dirty immigrants, criminals, or spicy Latinas that we’ve seen on our screens for a century. We fit no mold because there truly isn’t one. Not all Latinos speak Spanish, and our features and customs range from country to country. We are now controlling our narratives, and the narratives that the next generation will see.
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If you have Latino blood running through your veins but you don’t speak Spanish for one reason or another, you’re still 1000% Latino. Don’t believe narratives to the contrary for even a second! That said, if you’re interested in learning basic Spanish as a way of connecting to your roots through language, it’s not as difficult as it may seem at first. Yes, learning a new language can be challenging, but it can also be fun. Here are 7 tips to learn basic Spanish faster and enjoy the process:
Learn set Spanish phrases by memory
Photo by Paul Sableman on Flickr
Starting with set phrases in Spanish is a great way to build a solid foundation you can use for simple, daily interactions with loved ones, friends, or even strangers. Committing things to memory will help you get started and you can build on that knowledge later on with Spanish courses, practice, and exposure to the language. Here are some handy phrases to start with:
- Hola, ¿cómo estás? — Hello, how are you?
- Estoy bien, ¡gracias! — I’m fine, thank you!
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the bathroom?
- Por favor, gracias — Please, thank you
- Lo siento — I’m sorry
- ¿Puedes ayudarme, por favor? — Can you help me, please?
- No entiendo — I don’t understand
- ¿Cómo se dice … en español? — How do you say … in Spanish?
- ¡Salud! — Cheers!
Don’t be self-conscious about talking like a kid
You don’t need advanced verb tenses to get by or make yourself understood in Spanish. Stick to the present tense and simple constructions to express yourself and you will get by just fine. You may sound like a kid relying on the present tense at first, but we all start somewhere. Moreover, kids have no trouble making themselves understood. In fact, talking to kids in Spanish can be a great way to practice, especially if you feel anxious about talking to adults. If you have nieces or nephews, or your friends have children, engage with them in Spanish using your basic skills. It will help you build your confidence! Also, children’s resources like books and TV shows in Spanish can be a great way to grow your basic vocabulary.
Rely on Spanish media
Image credit: Televisa
Exposure to spoken Spanish is one of the best ways to not only improve your listening skills but also learn proper pronunciation. Fortunately, there are plenty of Latin American telenovelas, TV shows, and movies you can watch in Spanish. If you don’t feel super comfortable with that yet, you can start by rewatching your favorite movies dubbed in Spanish or with Spanish subtitles. You can also listen to more music in Spanish and find good Latino podcasts. Whatever media you prefer, make sure you add options in Spanish to your roster and make them a part of your daily routine.
Find ways to integrate Spanish into every aspect of life
Photo by Joanna Bogacz on Pexels
The more you immerse yourself in Spanish, the easier it will be to integrate it. Integrating the language into every possible aspect of your daily life can make a big difference in your learning journey. We recommend changing all your settings to Spanish so you’re forced to think in the language, write short journal entries in Spanish every day, talk to yourself in Spanish, and try to translate your thoughts. These are little things you can do every day that, along with more structured language learning, will help you learn basic Spanish faster.
Learn idioms and slang
Listen, learning a second language can get a little tiresome and the burnout is real. If you ever get to the point where you feel like it’s too difficult or too boring, make it engaging for yourself. Keep yourself interested and motivated! One way to do that is by learning idioms and slang. Hell, you can even learn curse words if that’s what makes it fun for you. Taking little breaks to explore the more informal aspects of the language will keep your brain happy. Talk to your Spanish-speaking family members or friends and ask them to teach you slang or go online and start searching for translations of your favorite terms. Even Latino memes can be a great way to learn new things in Spanish. Either way, it will be very entertaining to see how things change from one language to the other!
Find a partner to practice with
Photo by Mental Health America on Pexels
Speaking regularly with a language partner can dramatically improve your fluency. You should definitely look for conversation classes to join, language exchange events, or even online communities. If your family members and Latino friends speak Spanish, you don’t have to go far from home to practice your Spanish. Just tell them that you would like them to speak and text to you in Spanish all the time unless you need a translation, and go from there. Still, finding people who are on their own Spanish learning journey will be valuable. They will understand your struggles and it will be a more level playing field for everyone involved.
Speak Spanish as often as possible
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If there’s one mistake most people make when learning a new language is they want to wait until they’re fluent to start speaking. They fear making mistakes or being mocked for their accent, but remember this: not even native Spanish speakers know everything and they make mistakes all the time. As long as you’re making an effort and trying your best, you should never shy away from practicing your Spanish with anyone. Accept that making mistakes is part of the process and focus on communicating as effectively as you can. The more you speak, the better!
Today there are many labels I proudly use during introductions. I am a first-gen Guatemalteca-Mexicana college student. Identity is one of the things we use to define ourselves and we cling to it- it’s our orgullo. Latino culture is orgullo. I, along with many others, understand what the experience is like when we’re told we don’t look as if we have the privilege of feeling the pride that is our culture.
I never questioned the cultural experiences or events I followed my parents to as a kid, I found my comfort in the grande backyard fiestas, Noche Buena celebrations, endless (and sleepless) quinceañeras. I felt spoiled being the kid that had tamales and champurrado for breakfast before school. My mom’s outrage at novelas was mine as well. To put it simply, all I knew was being Latina meant I had warmth, comfort, and celebration surrounding me.
When I got to middle school, I began to comprehend how my identity was both used as an insult and simultaneously disregarded. I witnessed people I cared about deal with microaggressions for their language barrier, yet on my end, I would be told things that left me confused:
“you don’t look Latina,” “you’re acting white,” ”you don’t look like someone who would speak Spanish.”
I felt conflicted, should I be thankful I’m seen as what the “norm” is? Does being called white mean I’m being seen as educated? Why am I so insulted but strangely relieved? Who the hell decided being Latina came with a template anyways?
Reflecting back, I realize that subconsciously I was associating not being seen as a minority with a sense of safety and acceptance. This eventually manifested into believing I was just a white-washed Latina. I looked in the mirror and believed this was the way I was supposed to present myself as. I pushed away where I found my comfort and leaned into the identity others were essentially defining for me. I pushed away what was my orgullo. By the way, no thanks to the mandatory school surveys where I had to mark “Other” or “White” alongside “Hispanic/Latino”.
Down the line, I learned what the term “Eurocentric” meant. It put into perspective how the views and beauty standards of today came to be, how it shaped the expectation of what “educated” and “not a minority” looks like. At the end of the day, this is an outdated mindset that shouldn’t carry weight or value today. I began to look towards strong badass Latinas who never hesitated to correct anyone trying to doubt their identity.
There was a power in hearing someone say the words “No, I am Latina.”
It’s freeing when you’re the one taking charge of what defines your Latinidad. It runs a lot deeper than appearance, Spanish fluency, or stereotypes. It’s generations worth of cultura and experiences to carry. I’m still strengthening my connection to my roots today, and when I think of the diverse women who confidently take pride in their identity, it pushes me to tap into my orgullo even more.
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