LearnHub

Comment on this article from DiversityInc.com:

Is the Latino Community Losing Its Identity? By Zayda Rivera ©DiversityInc. Reproduction in any format is absolutely prohibited.

September 24, 2008

Keywords: Latino, Puerto Rican, bilingualism, Spanish, English, Crazy Leggs, Rock Steady Crew, Black

“You’re not a real Puerto Rican.”

That’s the comment I heard, often from other Latinos, when I was growing up in New London, Conn. Why? Because, although bilingualism is very important in our society, I-like many third-generation Latinos in this country-was not raised to speak Spanish.

Sometimes I felt like my family thought we’d be taken more seriously as citizens if we didn’t speak Spanish. In the 1980s and ‘90s, speaking Spanish-or even having an accent-stigmatized a person as being less educated or being an ESL student. That stigma still exists today, but thankfully attitudes are changing, if slowly. Still, I never felt that my cultural connection was any less present because I didn’t speak Spanish; I never felt that the Latino blood that ran through my veins wasn’t “real.” While the Spanish spoken by my grandmother sounded so beautiful, I always answered her in English. It was the norm for us. My earliest childhood memories are of family, food, music and celebration. The minute we walked into la casa de mi abuelo (my grandparents’ house), the aroma of mama’s “healing” food would instantly warm us with a feeling of belonging, closeness and security. I was overwhelmed with orgullo (pride) when I was with my family, and we brought the house down by dancing salsa and singing all night long. We even had a favorite family song, “El Africano” by Wilfrido Vargas, and from the first beat everyone jumped up and began dancing and singing. I didn’t know until years later that the song we considered a festive party anthem carried alarmist attitudes toward Black sexuality. It didn’t matter that the majority of my friends were Black or that I dove headfirst into the hip-hop culture of the ‘80s and ‘90s. In fact, those aspects of my identity made me feel even more Latino, since some of my ancestors were Black and Latinos were a driving force in hip hop from its inception. Remember Crazy Leggs and the Rock Steady Crew? Still, I felt that speaking Spanish was something I needed to learn. U.S. Census Bureau data shows that Latinos will make up 30 percent of the U.S. population by 2050. So when I moved to New York City, I made it my priority to speak Spanish, which wasn’t difficult living in a highly concentrated Latino area of the Bronx. Now more than ever before, I see how the Spanish language can bring me closer to my cultural identity. I almost understand where the “not a real Puerto Rican” comments originated from, although I still consider them highly ignorant. Was Willie Colon, one of the originators of salsa music, who didn’t speak Spanish fluently, not a “real” Puerto Rican? Latino identity spills over into so many other beautiful aspects besides the melodic language, such as our music, food, traditions and family values. The only way we as Latinos will ensure the continued relevance of our culture is by passing the torch onto our young people. Almost all of my 1-year-old daughter’s books are bilingual, as well as her toys and the shows that she watches. Third-, fourth- and fifth-generation Latinos who are raised extremely Americanized, as I was, need to be taught their rich Latino heritage and need to educate future generations so our traditions, beliefs, values and identity will not fade. Do I think Latinos are losing their identity in this country? No. In fact, I feel that our identity is growing and its roots originate from the island of Puerto Rico to Latin America, Central America and Mexico. It seeps into the American soil from the concrete jungle of New York City to the deserts of New Mexico and the beaches of Florida. ¡Sigue pa lante Latino! (Move forward Latinos!) A

Are Latinos Losing Their Identity? Other Perspectives …

Most parents want to protect their children by any means necessary. Maria Auciello, who is half-Puerto Rican and half-Italian, loves her family but never really felt like she could relate to her Latino heritage.

“I do not speak or understand Spanish at all,” Auciello says. “My high school as well as my college was dominated by wealthy white people. My father tried to keep me and my brother in places he thought would be the only place to advance, which meant anywhere dominated by wealthy white people.” This idea is not unique. The stereotypes that are often carried with Latinos (less educated, more prone to crime, drug addiction, etc.) are unfortunately confirmed by some, so the consequences are felt by the majority. “My mother, who is fluent in Spanish [and] is one of 10 children, has become very Americanized herself,” Auciello says. “All seven of my mother’s brothers have been in and out of jail [and/or] on drugs. I would say my mother’s brothers are the reason why I have little Latino influence in my life.” There are many Latinos in this country who have experienced exactly what Auciello has. “I love that I am Puerto Rican and Italian, but I feel as though those are not qualities people get from me or that I put out,” Auciello says. “I consider myself American first.”

“I felt I had the best of both worlds,” says Adriana Alvarado, who grew up in a household where Spanish was the dominant language. On the other end of the spectrum from Auciello, Alvarado’s family immersed her into their Latino culture through traditions, values, the language and traveling to their native land.

“As a child, I’d go on long trips to visit family members in Ecuador, and every year I learned more and more about their culture,” Alvarado says. “Soon after, I was participating in cultural events because it was all so fascinating to me. Once I became a teenager, I enjoyed it even more because I felt both American and Ecuadorian.”

Alvarado learned about both countries, a luxury many Latinos growing up in this country experience, and she has every intention of passing on the torch to her own children.

“My parents have been here for over 40 years and have adapted to the American lifestyle, yet we have never lost our culture, and my plan is to do the same with my children some day,” Alvarado says. “Being bilingual to me is a privilege.”

Alvarado has grown up embracing both cultures; she is able to carry that with her always. While her parents were the ones to guide her into cultural awareness, not all Latinos growing up in this country have that advantage.

“Latino identity is lost when parents speak to their children in English only, when their travels do not include their origin countries and when our norms are set aside,” she says. “I am born and raised in the U.S. and I identify myself as Latina always. [Being] Latino to me is overall how we live and how we think.”

Readers’ Comments Posted: Thursday, Sep 25, 2008 Is the Latino Community Losing Its Identity? I found this article a bit interesting. I don’t know if it’s an “East Coast” “West Coast” thing. Having grown up in being a Mexican-American born here in the U.S. raised in Los Angeles, CA, I often find it rather strange when Latino’s talk about loosing thier heritage. I have always been bi-lingual, was NEVER in an ESL class and the subject I excelled in most was English, which was even my major in college. I could never escape my heritage, I live in LOS ANGELES, I eat tacos about 3 times a week, my family is very close, and am glad to say that even in the 3rd and 4th generation, we are still very much bi-lingual. Our heritage as latino’s has never been lost, some have just never found it! It is everywhere, in our names, the foods we eat, the way we dance, sing, move, and interact with each other. Maybe that is one of the reasons I LOVE my city so much, it engulfs me with my ancestory past and makes me feel more American than any other place. Nice article, however, when it comes to subjects like this, it all depends on what your experience has been.

Abel Alvarado

Posted: Thursday, Sep 25, 2008 Is the Latino Community Losing Its Identity? Both of these articles relate to me. I am a 17 year old latina student in a private highschool, a puerto rican and italian girl who was never taught spanish by my family, and grew up known as not a “real puerto rican”in the bronx. At first sight i am usually considered a puerto rican but once i open my mouth people tell me all the time that they thought i was white. Like an african American being called an oreo. With this background I understand and feel both articles hit extremely important points. The first article does show that it is important for all non speaking Latin(o/a)’s to embrace thier culture and understand that they are a “real” hispanic’s even if they donnot speak spanish, and that it is not to late for generations to pass on the tradition of spanish speaking children, for our heritage is not lost. The second article shows that even though her family felt that a white school was better for her, that she was able to handle the same class work load that the white kids had. This just proves that the other half of the Hispanics that donnot identify with drugs, jail etc is just another stero type. The willie colon example in the first article is great and i find that both articles were written well and impactful. Thanks for the wisdom.

Priscilla Colon

Posted: Thursday, Sep 25, 2008 Is the Latino Community Losing Its Identity? She is fitting in so well, no discrimination, now she is fearful of loosing her identity. Well my dear welcome to White America.

My Irish immigrant ancesters ditched their heritage to survive at the turn of the century. My grandfather would not even admit his parents were Irish. When asked he always told me were were just mongrels. I guess it was safer for him from when he was a kid.

So I am just a white American. No Irish American tag. Most of my white coworkers and friends to not wear their ethnic background on their sleeves. But at one time in the country’s history “too many” from this or that country came to America and paid a hard price for being different. They blended in to survive. I guess having an “acceptable” skin color made things a bit easier for them.

She can protect her heritage and pass it on the her children. It’s just not a common diversity issue. I’m glad she has the ability to celebrate her roots. We have come along way.

L B

Posted: Thursday, Sep 25, 2008 Is the Latino Community Losing Its Identity? Excellent article you put into words what I have been feeling for a long time. As a child of the 50’s growing up in a all white neighborhood I never lost where my parents came from mother Puerto Rican father Ecuadorian. My parents at the time thought this was the only was to assimilate into the American culture and they were right. They never lost sight of where they came from always with (orgullo). My parents both spoke English and Spanish very well,but English was spoken half the time and Spanish the other. The term real Puerto Rican is not accurate language does not seperate who we are as individuals. I have a habit of listening in Spanish and answering in English. You said it all Family,food,dancing.

P.S My daughter just came back from the Galapagos Islands doing some environmental work their. She has never lost her connection with her grandfather.

Zayda

Excellent work

Stephen Carpio

Posted: Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 Is the Latino Community Losing Its Identity? This is a great article. I think it applies to more than just the Latino community though. The beauty of being an American is that you can celebrate your culture, language, and your faith and still be an American. While African American’s have lost their connections to Africa, remnants still exist and new ones with roots in Africa are emerging. I applaud Ms. Aguilar’s comments—she is right on. As for Mr. Harris, like any group, there are those who have no appreciation for their heritage that may well assimilate and lose sight, but I would disagree with the assumption that it is more than just a small percentage of Latino’s generally.

LaJuana Caldwell