Personal Narrative: My Latino Identity

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All my life I’ve identified as Hispanic, Latino, or whatever term you prefer. But sometimes I feel like an imposter. I look white enough to just forget about my identity in its entirety, but wouldn’t that be dishonest to myself? I’ve always struggled with how to identify, because how can a Latina girl not speak Spanish? Sure, I know enough to get around if I had to, but I’m not fluent. I’ve always felt different from the other kids, when they got lunchables packed for lunch I opened up my lunchbox to see Arroz con frijoles.again. And when the kids started to say negative things about where I was from, I stopped sharing that information. Everybody then assumed I was white. It’s made me reflect on, not only myself but also, the people around …show more content…
But I guess I didn’t always pass. One time on the bus home from school, I sat with one of my best friends. We laughed and joked for a while, but I could tell something was off. When I got off the school bus she handed me a note, it read “Sorry I can’t be friends with you anymore, my mom doesn't like Spanish people.” After reading that I went home and cried all night. I felt so betrayed after trusting this girl and being friends with her all year. Plus, I'm not even from Spain. It's the ignorance and lack of education from people that frustrates me the most. My dad used to drive me home from school, blasting Bomba Estéreo with the windows rolled down. Now, my dad can’t drive anymore, and I’m the one blasting American rappers and the “In the Heights” soundtrack. My life doesn’t feel right without my dad around. Well, I mean, he’s always been there.but not really. It was hard growing up with an absent father, not only emotionally but also physically. He was always going in and out of the house, and no one was ever sure when he was going to be back home. I think that also contributed to my struggle to accept my Colombian

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