How do You Identify Yourself?

      Latin America is a HUGE region. With 20 countries, many different languages, traditions, governments, and histories to be found, there is plenty of diversity. However, a common mistake made by people outside of Latin America is to characterize the region as if it’s all the same. Argentina’s non-spicy Italian foods are nothing like the spicy dishes of Mexico. Peru, with its large Asian population does not have the same traditions as Brazil’s black population. Across the region you will find many different geographical features, and hear many different languages from the dying indigenous tongues, to the Spanish dialect Castellano, to Brazilian Portuguese. So why does the unified Latin American stereotype persist? Is it appropriate, and if not, how can the ignorance be combated?

      As young Latinas how do you identify yourself? Are you proud to be Latin American or are you proud to be Costa Rican, Chilean, Nicaraguan, etc.? Do you feel a connection to all Latinas, or primarily those from your home country? Let’s get a discussion started!