One of the side effects of moving to the US is that you have to “mark one box.”
People will:
ask, –> are you Hispanic, White, or Latino?
persuade, –> you should change your last name…
demand, –> but you are Hispanic!
intrude, –> are you illegal?
request explanation, –> what kind of name is that?
for mostly anybody that does not “fit” in one box to: define themselves in one box, with one identity.
You could have been born in another country, or being as US American as the flag, but if you do not conform (in the eyes of the beholder) to the mainstream culture, taste in music, color of skin, primary language, or any other feature… you need to learn to “accommodate.”
Sometimes it brings more awareness to your ethnic identity, it makes you think about who you REALLY are. This is very positive. I am working on researching and opening the dialogue about “marking one box” and how it makes you feel. Because it also has a not so positive side, it is related to power.
To go deeper into the subject, I invite you to listen to Chimamanda Adichie in her clear, open, and authentic talk. It will be worth it.
In English, subtitled in Spanish: The danger of a single story
You can also read more about Chimamanda Adichie here: http://www.halfofayellowsun.com/
Thank you for reading!
Edurne
