So what does a Mexican Look Like

I've pondered over this the last couple of days since the passing of stupid law in Arizona and secretly for a couple of years based on a comment made to me.

I will readily admit, I do not look like I am of Hispanic descent. Being my father was of Northern European and my mother of Spanish/Mexican heritage the blending of ethnic groups shows up differently with their children. As my Mom was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas she does not have very fond memories of growing up there. She wanted both my brother and I to assimilate as much as possible. In doing this, she also did not teach us either of us the language and/or its culture. However, there were times as we were growing up that she taught us some of the customs and holiday celebrations.

I asked her when I got older why she did not teach us the language and she told me, "because I did not want you having an accent as I did and that was the first thing people judged you on". People will make quick assessments of you because of this and think you are not educated or equal to them. As I thought about this at the time a little later, she was quite true in this statement.

My Mom had many secrets in her life time, and we sometimes had a difficult relationship, but she did teach me to be proud of who you are and that you can do anything you set your mine to do in this world. I can remember even when she boycotted the grocery stores during the Cesar Chavez days. As she got older she did share more stories of her background with me.

You wonder about the comment made to me. One day at work, someone saw a picture that I had of my Mom on my desk. They wanted to know if that lady was my Nanny. Knowing that I am an expressive person, after I picked my jaw off of the floor, I told them, "no that is my Mother". This person then told me, well, "I didn't know you were a Mexican, because you don't look like one". As I calmly asked this person to leave my office, I stewed over her comment and pondered it for a couple of days.

A couple of weeks later we were having a diversity training overview which I volunteered to present to our department. Yes, my subject was "What are we suppose to look like?" I gave a presentation on people's misconceptions on what they assume people of various backgrounds/ethnic/religious backgrounds are too look like and act. It was a very interesting and engaging conversation. I attempted to make the conversation as un-threathening as possible and once I put it out there about even some of my pre-conceived ideas (because we all have them, it is just if you want to admit to them or not), the conversation opened up. Was it worth it to do, you betcha.

So yes, I am proud non-speaking Latino person of Mexican/Spanish and Caucasian heritage. And even though I don't look like one of Hispanic background, don't worry, there are many more of us that are like this as well. And we could be of Asian, African-American, Indian mix as well. What is the saying, "Don't judge a book by its cover"...............