I'm sitting in my living room watching CNN's Latino in America and I am reflecting on my own Latino experience. I am not Latina, I'm Black. Really I'm Black, my Mom & Dad are Black and so are my Grandparents. It's a little mixed up after that...Anyway, I look Latina(Dominican or Puerto Rican whatever we all Black at the core) and I grew up in East NY which is full of Spanish Speaking people. I think that after going away to school and 9/11 I began to notice how other American's treat Latinos. Here is my own Latino in American from a Black in Americans point of view,
1- I see how frustrated people get if some one doesn't speak English. Especially business owners. But they don't mind taking their money. That's why advertisers push so hard to the Latin Market...(Mcdonalds the main culprit)
2-Why are Mexicans seen as the bottom of the Totem Pole? I hear "I'm not Mexican eww!!"And plenty of Mexican jokes. Hey they are descendants of Warriors and Artists.I LOVE Mexicans. They got Tequila, Frida Kahlo and Mole. Also I'm fascinated by Aztecs.
3- UGLY BETTY!! Love that show BUT they are Mexican family right? The actors who play them are PR, Cuban etc So funny to me!
4- Men LOVE Latinas. What's up with that? I swear they are disappointed when they find out I'm not Latina or Brazilian. But TYRA did a show on race & sex and the Male Panel wanted the Asian woman first, then White, Latina and lastly Black. Even Maxim mag and Cosmo have lots of Latina's gracing their pages.(But they are usually light skinned)
5-I only know like 2 Cubans...PS I really want to visit Cuba so BAD.
6-Whats up with the recklessness at the Puerto Rican Parade? I've been to PR and they donot act like that! I saw one year these girls walking around with backless denim shorts!!! Yes on 5th ave with butt cheeks hanging out!!
7-Hispanic...latino what they diff?
8-it kills me people buy Che Guervara T-shirts and don't know anything about him!
I love my fellow Latinos. I grew up with the culture all around me. It's different when you meet people from different countries Argentina, Cuba, Panama, Mexico, DR...
But the common bond that I see is the language.
(upside down ? goes here)Como estas? aka How U Doin?
