A lot of people don’t realize that I’m Latina, which is fine. One thing about being Latina is that there isn’t one look that comes with the territory. I don’t expect people to know my cultural background just by glancing at me. I do, however, expect that when I tell people my family is from Puerto Rico, that I will be believed and not accused of trying to be something that I’m not. It usually goes something like this: a person having a conversation with me discovers one way or another that I’m Puerto Rican and fluent in Spanish. That person then expresses their shock over these realizations for any number of reasons–common responses are, “You don’t look Latina” and “I thought you were black!” I never said I wasn’t black. And since when does being black and being Latina have to be mutually exclusive? […]
As I start to get my feet wet in Hollywood, I already know that there are certain parts I won’t even be considered for. The character can be Puerto Rican and speak Spanish just like me, but Hollywood defines Latina as Jennifer Lopez and Sofia Vergara. As beautiful as they are, we’re not all one race in Latin America. But I don’t go to auditions so that I can give history lessons to film executives. I’d rather skip the entire process.
-Lala Vasquez
she and i don’t look much alike but this is halfway to a gpoy. except after “you don’t LOOK puerto rican!!!” instead of “i thought you were black” it’s “i thought you were white.” but my response is the same: since when are being white and latina mutually exclusive? SINCE AMERICANS DON’T UNDERSTAND HOW BEING LATINA WORKS, IS SINCE WHEN. and haha my mom comments on the issue the same way: “they think we all look like j. lo!” on the bright side given that i’ve lost spanish-speaking ability this is a weird source of instant bonding i have with some latin@s. i remember somehow the issue came up once when i was working for the census with a woman who if memory serves was dominican, talking about some cousin’s spouse or something that was of middle eastern descent (her description, if i’m remembering right). the american dude with us was like “so… he’s middle eastern, but he moved to DR?” “no no, he’s middle eastern, and dominican.” “oh, like half? like… one parent is middle eastern, and the other one is dominican?” “…no. like he’s middle eastern, and also dominican.” he didn’t really get it, even though i bet the concept of being of middle eastern descent & born in the US would not have blown his mind (and maybe that would have been the best way to explain it). and then we rolled our eyes at each other for a while.
(interestingly, i actually haven’t historically met a lot of latin@s who look like me outside of my family — pale skin and dark features — but there are a LOT of kids in my class in that mold, i bet most people wouldn’t guess at being latin@ and frankly i might not if it weren’t for knowing their last names/spanish accents/parents. i wonder if the ones who grow up without strong accents will also come in for a world of YOU’RE LATINO????)
About
The writer formerly known as "frau sally benz."You'll get me at my most open/honest as I transition from one online identity to another...
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