Notion 1 - Spaces and exchanges

Notion 1 – Spaces and exchanges

Theme: Cultural diversity

So, my name is Angelica. I am first generation in USA, I was born in Mexico and my family moved to USA when I was three years old. I am currently a graduate student. Hispanic, I think, you know that it just refers to los hispanos, the people. I’m not really sure which term was coined by the government for, like, race purposes, to categorize these different people. Latinos can be anybody from Latin America. So you’re talking about Mexico and all the southern countries. So Latino may be more englobing I think. You have Hispanic, and then you have Chicanos, you have Puerto Rican… And they call themselves different things. Personally, I’m proud to be a Latina. I’m a Mexican American, that’s how I would categorize myself. I think it’s to do with how you identify your roots, you know, because, I’m proud to be Mexican but I think the generation before us, they were forbidden from Learning Spanish and they made them very ashamed of their culture, because the idea was that they would be able to assimilate better. If you only spoke English, and you know, you maybe dyed your hair or did things that were more American you’d be more accepted, and it’s really sad because nowadays it’s a benefit to be able speak two languages. The generation above us, you know, might not be proud that they’re Mexican. But things have changed. Take for example Shakira. She’s one of the biggest pop stars in America. She releases music in Spanish too. On television you have all the Mexican channels, a lot of Latin American shows, radio stations. Our people are just everywhere so we're influencing everything. In California, and texas where I'm from, it's prevalent that everybody, a big majority, are able to speak Spanish. For example, like in construction, you see a lot of the workers are immigrants either from Mexico or other South American countries. And so the bosses have to learn Spanish. It's funny when you see things like that, you know, when American have to change their way to accommodate... because they need those workers.

The girl:

- She's name is Angelica

- She's Mexican

- She lives in Texas, USA

- She's proud to be latina

- She went to USA when she was 3yo

- She speak English and Spanish

- She's a graduate student

(picture)

This photo was taken in 2014, during the 50th annual Hispanic Parade Day in a street of New York City. In the foreground there's a young girl wearing bright, colorful clothes. She's smiling and dancing, propably proud to represent her culture. There are flags attached to the high rise building in the street.