In “Too Latina To Be Black, Too Black Too Be Latina” by Aleichia Williams, who faced a “race crisis” back in their childhood. Aleichia attended a new school in a whole different state than what they were used to and it seemed like based on Aleichia’s appearance the kids tried to turn her down since they misjudged Aleichia’s race or ethnicity. Aleichia, who spoke Spanish, made the kids at school eventually accept Aleichia since they only approved of individuals from within that particular race. I feel like just because someone doesn’t physically fit with what is expected of their race or ethnicity, it is not fair to jump to conclusions and cancel them out if throughout their own lives they share the qualities like language, food, music, traditions and practices that shape their identity. There is a misconception that all Latinos or Hispanics look and talk the same when in reality there is a huge diversity within itself. I am Dominican and my family members who also share the same ethnicity as me are either light skinned or dark skinned, and some have curly, wavy or straight hair making us all different but in a unique way. I don’t mind any of the differences in identity within my family because I know based on my heritage we are a mix of African and Spanish European descent. I enjoyed the fact that Aleichia stated “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” (Williams). This means that someone’s identity can be powerful in the way others may perceive them but what is important is valuing and taking pride in where one comes from and to not be ashamed of it.
“The Power of Identity Politics” by Alicia Garza states “Identity is the elephant in America’s room” (Garza 191). This has been a big problem throughout history in our country that Black women in particular and many other marginalized groups from Latin America, the Caribbean, Pacific Islanders, and those from the LGTBQ community are all faced with discrimination and are excluded from obtaining equal opportunities whether it be politically, socially and economically against those who fall under the power of whiteness. The norms for these groups have changed since back in history when their lifestyles were forced upon the power of white supremacy, a kind of systemic domination. It didn’t stop these racial and ethnic groups from being in control of who they are as they took matters into their own hands in fighting against a set of standards that didn’t reflect their own identity. White women don’t understand the struggles that Black feminists encounter based on their different experiences in American society. There’s no way to compare the two especially while one race is oppressed and the other is privileged but it is important to target issues of each race to try and dismantle this political bias.
Heatherlee’s snapshot helps us understand the ways in which black girls and women are the victims of negative stereotypes, discrimination and systemic racism that deny them from their livelihood in society. People don’t realize how difficult and annoying it can be for someone to constantly hear assumptions and be questioned about his/her appearance, behavior and personality that make up their personal identity not necessarily their race. You are not giving that person a chance to be themselves when we live among a diversity of people that come in all shapes and sizes. We have to learn to accept who they are and respect their differences.
