What new perspectives have you gained about Latinos in the United States?
My perspective of being Latino in United States has been limited to my South Florida roots. South Florida is typically regarded as a very diverse region. However, it is not diverse to the point that it encompasses every Latino cohort perfectly. I have been on contact with Latinos from Cuba, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Venezuela. Yet, I have not been in close contact with people from places like Mexico and Ecuador.
This lack of exposure has been amplified here during my time in DC. All of my fellow colleagues are not only from different Latino cultures, but they are also from different areas of the US. This multifarious blend of cultures has made me realize that Latinos are both unified and divided. We are unified in the sense that we can find similarities in our customs. Yet, we also divided since we can find differences and nuances within our values.
These differences are what make our community unique. As the PEW Hispanic Center taught us during our orientation week, Latinos do not identify as being White or Black. Instead, we believe we are a distinct race that deserves our own distinction. This is especially important now as the census date approaches.
These differences are important for our culture to understand. They will be critical for us to progress our agenda here in the United States. Personally, these differences have made me appreciate our unique culture. More importantly, it has inspired me to excel here in DC. Hopefully, my experience here DC and in CHCI will help me explore more perspectives of the Latino community.
