Latina women meet and discuss adjustments to American culture
A growing concern for many college-age Xicana females on campus isn’t just grades and a social life, but how to find the balance between modern culture and old traditions.
Last Friday, Semana de la Xicana ended with a discussion called “Hermana a Hermana” (“Sister to Sister”) that touched on the subject of the difficulties faced by many young minority females while adjusting to life outside of cultural traditions.
“Even though we have been here for generations, we still face the same stereotypes in and around the Latino community, which many of us are trying to overcome,” said Melina Somoza, a freshman ethnic studies major.
Somoza and other young Xicana females discussed the importance of skin color and having Spanish surnames in affecting their everyday lives. They also discussed how they have been treated by others both in and out of the Latino communities they grew up in.
“We all like to think we support each other in our difference and our similarities, but people just get obsessed with labels,” Somoza said.
The discussion focused on an open forum for attending Xicana females to voice personal opinions about what it is like growing up in a cultural community and the adjustment it takes after being removed from that community.
“The first thing my parents always wanted to hold on to was the importance of religion,” said Francesca Trujillo, a freshman psychology major. “When my grandma was alive you went to church every Sunday – that is just what you did. But now spirituality has focused more on an inner strength of how strong your mind is.”
The importance of learning from previous generations was also up for discussion. Others wanted to voice that in other areas of the world diversity is more embraced because it is no longer the minority but the majority.
Taila Autele, a freshman open-option major, is a native of Hawaii and spoke about how, by being part of one of the major races in Hawaii, she was able to see the difference on the emphasis race plays here on mainland America.
“I don’t consider myself a person of diversity because back home it is different, but since coming here I have seen how much things have changed. People think I am Xicana and try to fit me in a box just to label me better,” Autele said.
Many minority females agreed that the only way to help in adjusting is to open more people to understanding that diversity is something that can be refreshing to learn about.
“I just want people to look at me for me and that my diversity is only a part of me, but that there is so much more underneath that can be appreciated,” Somoza said.
Contact Campus Press staff writer Renee Tavera at renee.tavera@thecampuspress.com.
