source: today.com
Let’s start by stating the facts. I am not white passing. If I were to stand in the middle of an airport TSA line with no passport to certify that I am in fact a United States citizen, I would probably be asked to step out of line for a more thorough search.
I am considered to be what is called “ethnically ambiguous”. Which has always been weird to me considering I think I look like the rest of my friends. Regardless, I am asked where I’m from or where my parents come from even in my own country.
Now that the facts have been stated, let’s proceed with the issue. My English accent, or in this case, the lack of an accent.
As a young Hispanic born and raised in Puerto Rico, my first language is naturally Spanish. However, I began to learn English at an early age, being able to formulate short sentences before I reached school age. I could count, name colors, animals, and sing in English. In short, my parents gave me a very strong advantage that I didn’t know I’d need until later on in life.
Imagine my surprise when I learned that not only was I minority, but I was expected to act according to a set of guidelines established by my oppressors. Imagine my shock when I was told that speaking in my native tongue, using basic language characteristics such as accents when writing my name could automatically mean I would be denied a job or opportunity.
It’s Hispanic heritage month, and I am angry.
It starts with a basic conversation with a family member who was born and raised in the United States. With no prior knowledge of Puerto Rican culture, she stops me to praise me. “You don’t even have an accent!”
Let’s break it down. This was not me being praised for being bilingual. This was not me being praised for having control of two languages. This was me being praised for not sounding like a stereotype.
This is where the problem lies.
People are so quick to judge Hispanics for their heavy accents and sometimes struggle to formulate the right words. Tell me though, when was the last time you tried to master a language to survive?
Were you sold the American Dream and forgot to read the fine print?
When your accent is seen as a disadvantage, when your people are persecuted and targeted for speaking their native language, you learn to cope quickly.
Hispanics were told they could pursue a better life, but all they get is scraps. When you have to claw your way up because of the color of your skin and the fluidity at which you speak, you hold on to everything you’ve got as you try to mold yourself into what is needed.
So, second-generation Latinxs are taught English over Spanish at home. At times, some Hispanics choose to not even teach their children Spanish because the hatred for it in the United States is so strong. Even Latinx actress Gina Rodriguez recently spoke out about it.
It’s a burden our cultures has been carrying since the beginning of our colonization. Our roots are shunned daily. Trust me, when you face more than one disadvantage because you fall under more than one minority, you learn to shed the characteristics that you can to survive.
I am not white passing. I am easily discernible as the outsider amongst a crowd. How dare you praise me for evolving when the only other option I had was to be beaten down?
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