by Nancy Sepulveda
Individualism (and its variations) are a part of the American fabric; the idea that YOU are unique, YOU are your own person, YOU control your destiny, is an integral part of the all-important American Dream. Not surprising then that we bristle at the merest hint of an assumption that we will think or act in a particular way according to our group memberships.
Obviously, making sweeping generalizations about any demographic is never a good thing. Yet at what point does our desire to be recognized as our own person, become intentional blindness to the numerical and anecdotal realities of our societal makeup? Recent BL articles have faced criticism for implying (either directly or inadvertently) that Latinos think, act, believe, talk, worship or communicate in a common way.
The battle cries are clear: Not all Latinos are Democrats! Except, well, the majority are. Not all Latinos are Catholic! Just… most of them. Not all Latinos speak Spanish! But, then again, the majority of Latinos are either Spanish/English bilingual, or speak primarily Spanish. Ok, Not All Latinos Are Family-Centric! Except, here’s some info on the problems that can arise because Latinos are so family-centric. Ok, ok, I got one. Not All Latinos Are Construction Workers and Maids. Um. Except, a disproportionate number of construction workers and maids are Latino.
Maybe it’s not so clear.
My point here is that there may, indeed, be shared characteristics amongst Latinos – and why are we so hesitant to embrace that concept? Or, why do we only embrace it when the subject involves music, food or fun? We applaud the idea that there is a “Latino way to party,” but not a “Latino way to parent.” As we struggle to find Latino unity (seen as an unobtainable goal to some,) we are simultaneously chafing at the idea that there is anything that unites or connects us. We are quick to cry, “Stereotype!” without recognizing when we ourselves embody those typical traits. Ironic that many would willingly embrace shared regional identities, even sports team associations (all us fans of Team X are hard core!) but not a shared ethnic or cultural identity. We’re so intent to not be put in a box that we may not realize when the box is a pretty good fit.
I am not suggesting that we let go of our individuality, or that we view others only through a lens of group association. But we should also not demonize any attempt at recognizing behavior patterns among specific peoples into a bigoted attack on that race or nationality.
Free to be you and me, but isn’t it ok to sometimes accept a ‘we’?
Contributor, Nancy Sepulveda
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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those
of the author and should not be understood to be shared by Being Latino, Inc.
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