When reading the blog Too Latina To Be Black, Too Black To Be Latina a quote that stood out to me was “I’m learning to embrace every aspect of my identity and not let small minds put me in a box that just doesn’t fit. I’m Latina. I’m black. Also, I’m human. No one can take that from me.” This is significant because some individuals feel obligated to classify people who identify as many races or ethnicities; Instead of viewing particular identities as unique. 

As a result, many Latino and Black individuals struggle to fit in on either side because they are expected to decide what they identify as. For example, when I was in high school, I had a friend who was both black and Latina, and she struggled to connect with either identity, let alone learn to accept both. For her, becoming natural was one of the many factors that allowed her to realize who she was, black and Latina. Before deciding to go natural, her hair was relaxed since she was a little girl, and since the relaxer started to break and damage her, she wanted to go natural; but at the time, her mother wouldn’t let her. Her mother must have thought it would make her more Latina rather than black. 

__________ 

Referring back to my snapshot, there was a nine-year-old boy who was obsessed with straightening his hair. As he looks in the mirror, he prefers having straight hair to feel more “attractive.” When it comes to racial identification, this sort of poor self-esteem has caused darker-toned individuals to feel humiliated not only about their color but also about their looks. 

His low self-esteem could also be caused by his upbringing, which taught him not to connect with who he is. I have never really struggled with my identity but I know a few people that have, my close friend, being one of them. I believe that as a society, we must understand that having multiple identities is something that should not be frowned upon but should be celebrated.