What is a Latina? What does a Latina look like? Well, there is no definite answer to either of those questions. Being Latina isn’t about whether you speak the language or you look the part, it’s about having that fiery blood in you. Exterior features speak nothing of what’s inside her veins. She may be dark-skinned, fair-skinned, tan, white-skinned, pale, blond, brunette, maybe even a red head.
There are many features that pertain to Latinas. I specifically pertain to the white-skinned Latinas. We tend to be more hidden in the Latina world, because we aren’t perceived as such. Since we aren’t seen as our latin blood, there are some difficulties or struggles that we face on a day to day basis no matter where we are. Which leads to the topic of discussion, The Struggle of White-Looking Latinas:
1. People’s shocked faces when you tell them you’re Latina...
2. When you speak Spanish to them, it’s as if they were hearing the words of their gods…
3. When people talk about you in front of you, then when they find out you speak Spanish, too. Awkward.
Say it to my face now!
And my face is like…
4. People don’t believe you are from a Spanish-speaking nation just because you don’t have an accent when you speak English…
Not every latino has an accent when they speak English, some of us are born in the United States. Wasn’t that totally unexpected? Huh!
5. “But you don’t look Latina..”
That doesn’t mean someone can’t be Latina; we come in various shapes, sizes, skin colors and features.
6. “Say something in Spanish.."
Why? I know I’m Latina. I don’t need to prove anything to anyone. Adiós Felicia.