Soñando

La Diferencia

The first things that people think of when they hear the word “different” are negative connotations. Most of us really want to fit in with the people around us, and we think that being considered different is the last thing that we want. Being from another culture or ethnicity as somebody else automatically places the word different in our minds, but why is it that sometimes we are so quick to label others and not even think that perhaps we ourselves are being placed into that same category?

Different people deal with being different in different ways (no pun intended). When I first moved to Minnesota, where we now live, I first chose to ignore that I was different. This wasn’t too hard to do after a few months, especially since everybody in my school was Caucasian. Looking back I instinctively fell into the “we’re-all-the-same” mode and wouldn’t even think about what being a Latino meant to me. It got to the point when I couldn’t do this anymore because I quickly started noticing that I got treated very differently from others.  Other people choose to deal with being different in the other extreme: separating.  My first year of college was at a public university in Marshall, MN, from where I transferred to Wheaton College. I loved the experience and met many great people, but I noticed that ethnic minorities kept pretty much to themselves.  I have since learned that, statistically speaking, it is more often white people that separate themselves, choosing to hang with people like themselves, thus leaving minorities to hang with the people left: themselves.  The group’s language is also an issue.  It is a good thing to spend time with people like you, but at least every once in awhile it is a very healthy thing to spend time with people who are not.  No matter who is to “blame,” however, I believe we all need to be part of the solution. The diversity at this university was phenomenal - it was an education simply sitting down for lunch and speaking with people - but sometimes I noticed that separatist attitude (even in myself).

What I am trying to say here is that differences need to be celebrated.  God made us and placed us in our cultures. Some of the ways to celebrate our cultures are by talking about them, asking questions, and just being honest with others. Being different is a beautiful thing to be celebrated, especially as Latinos. We’re bringing this country, that still mostly speaks one language, the concept of bilingualism on a large scale (some cities in the U.S., you can’t survive anymore without speaking at least some Spanish!).  As Latin’s (for all you gender equality folks!), we have many things to be extremely proud of. As individuals, we need to investigate where we come from by reading, asking relatives, and especially by trying to get to know other Latin’s that can share their stories with us, share about their countries, and help broaden the horizons of our own culture. Like my mami used to tell me, “Mijo, if you don’t know where you’re from, you won’t know where you’re going.”  If you don’t know where you’re from, how will you know who you are?  Being a Latin’ is a beautiful thing, and our cultures are a gift from God. Let’s try to share these gifts in our day-to-day living, by sharing ourselves with each other.