How can I tell if I'm Hispanic?
Ok, I know this may seem a bit odd, but I'm having a problem figuring out if I'm Hispanic or not. I live in Miami, Florida. My father was born in Puerto Rico, however he is half Puerto Rican. The rest of my family comes from Spain and Italy, except for my grandfather. He's American. I have his last name too. I am the third generation from my mother's side, and from my father's side...well...his mother was Dominican-Puerto Rican and his father was American. I grew up with arroz con pollo and picadillo. I used to speak Spanish when I was young, but when I went to school they made me stop.I'm slowly getting my Spanish back, however I don't speak it as well as someone from Mexico or Chile does. A lot of people who live in Miami are not American at all. Most of them are Cuban, and that's ok. What's not ok is them telling me them that I'm not Hispanic because I'm not from South America or Spain. I grew up hearing that from them. I'm starting to believe it. Because I'm not fluent in Spanish and because my skin is not as dark as theirs, they label me as "cracker", "gringa", etc. To be honest, the first time I realized I was Hispanic (well...maybe?) was when I left Miami. I tried to kiss my friend on the cheek to say goodbye and she thought I was trying to make a move on her. People tell me that I'm too loud when I talk and I use my hands too much. They also called me a gypsy. They thought I knew EVERYTHING about being Hispanic, even if their questios were about Mexico or Argentina. But when I go back to Miami, all of a sudden I'm "white". Sometimes I feel as if I have to wear a mask in order to "prove it" that I'm Hispanic or not. Does anybody know what's going on? Am I Hispanic or what?????!!!!
You are Hispanic!
Hi Lesa,
You seem to be as much Hispanic as any of us (I am Hispanic). Puerto Rico, Italy and Spain are all Latin countries but even if that were not the case, growing up with pollo y picadillo seems enough for me! :)
Being more serious, dont let people get in the way of what you feel you are. I am also white, brunette and with green eyes and because my English has a "different" accent (not similar to the rest of the Hispanic) a lot of people consider me almost anything (Italian, Jew, even Turkish!) except Hispanic.
To tell you the truth I dont call myself Hispanic except when I have to check forms where I check race white and heritage Hispanic but if someone would try to tell me I am not just because of my appearance, that would make me react as a true Latina... (not exactly a "cool" reaction).
Seriously, for your comment, you seem to be Latina enough... speak too loud? Veeeery Latino. Moving the hands too much? That's pure Italy that is were Latin was born. Kiss in the cheek to say goodbye? Latino.
However is calling you cracker or gringa, is probably moved by envy or by ignorance.
But again, your roots seem Hispanic/Latino enough but is up to you, to what you feel you are...