"Orgullosamente" means to feel proud. In this case it means to be proud of your roots, proud of your heritage and proud of your culture. Last week, September 15 marked the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month. It got me thinking: what does this month mean to me? What does it mean to all Latinos everywhere? That question changed me. Because all my life I had never really celebrated what it meant to be Latina. This is my realization, the things I am grateful for. The lessons I have learned. So as this month continues I challenge you, whether you identify yourself as Latino or not to think about the lessons you have learned from your culture and what they mean to you.
1. Ponte las pillas
Also known as, "time to put your batteries on." Whenever times get tough or I look at my parents for guidance that is the one phrase they recite to me. What they mean is that, in order to achieve a level of greatness we must put in the work. Being Latina, I have inherited a strong work ethic. Watching my parents wake up at 4am and not come home until 12am has taught me that no matter what I end up doing in life I must have passion, commitment, discipline, and drive to accomplish every goal no matter how big or small.
2. Do it for the cheese
Your accomplishments equal your family’s accomplishments. There is no room for selfishness. We move forward collectively as a unit. Not only do I take pride in my accomplishments but also does my entire family, no matter the distance. My parents walked deserts to achieve the American Dream. They starved. Drank little to no water while walking miles. My mother ate a disgusting piece of smelly cheese she found in order to survive the journey to the US. So don’t worry mom when I make the dean’s list this year you can have all the credit.
3. NEVER. I repeat NEVER talk during a Walter Mercado Horoscope reading
Seriously, older, Latino women believe whatever this man says. When he comes on for his segment, women, my mom especially shuts me up to listen as the man says “Aries mucho dinero llegara a tu vida” of course the money rarely made its debut but the man never lost his credibility. At least not in my house.
4. Protect your siblings
We can’t be in a room for too long without having an argument. I blame heat, hormones and to some extent my lack of patience. But I know that I will do anything to protect my siblings. Hermanas 4 life.
5. Love your body
There isn't one type of Latina body. Latina women come in all heights, body types, skin colors, and they are all beautiful.
6. Do not belittle yourself
“I am not good enough.” “My English isn’t that good.” “Maybe I don’t have what it takes?” “Wait, can they hear I have an accent?” You are whatever you choose to be. There are already enough people in the world that will try to belittle you and make you feel inferior and amongst them shouldn’t be that little voice in your head. You have the potential to be great, Latina or not. Now all you have to do is choose- to talk yourself up or talk down at yourself.
7. Ser latina es un orgullo
"Never be ashamed of where you come from." Carry your head high. Be proud of whatever country you represent regardless about what people say about it. We currently live in a society where we are labeled and frequently discriminated against for our heritage and culture. But we must not lower our heads in the face of discrimination. Look at society straight in the eyes and show them all you have to be proud of.
8. Tortillas are essential
“Wait. What? There are no tortillas?” This year my dad went on strike. Refused to eat any tortillas my mom made. Of course she got sad because my almost all Latino moves love cooking. From the best pollo gisado you have ever had to fresh made quajada. So imagine her disappointment when my dad no longer wanted to eat the most Salvadorian food ever. At that moment she and my family realized how important tortillas are in Latino culture. Because without them nothing was ever the same. R.I.P tortillas in the Manzanares household.
9. Novelas and chill?
Duh. Basically all the storylines are the same, rich girl loves poor guy and vice versa. One brother commits suicide and the other avenges his death by marrying the women he thought was the cause of it. Plot twist he falls in love with her. But in the end there is nothing better than watching Sebastian Rulli fight for the women he loves Monday through Friday at 9pm sharp.
