Today, we'd like to address a few common phrases that Latin women have encountered countless times. Our request is a simple and polite one: Let's retire these clichés.
Why, you ask? Because they often feel like outdated relics from television shows and perpetuate stereotypes that simply don't hold true. Are you ready? Let's begin with five common expressions that Latinas are eager to leave behind!
1. What you say: You are Latina? You don’t look Latina!
What we hear: You don't fit into the stereotype of a Latina woman, meaning: you have a light-dark complexion, you should look like Sofia Vergara.
2. What you say: Where are you really from?
What we hear: No, silly, I don’t care if you’re a born and raised New Yorker, I mean your ethnic background. Where do your people come from? or where does your family come from?
3. What you say: Can you speak Mexican? Dominican? Brazilian? And so on.
What we hear: You don’t understand that most Latinx people speak two or more languages, we’re bilinguals and no… we don’t speak Mexican, we speak Spanish or Portuguese, there’s no Brazilian language or Dominican or Mexican Dah!
4. What you say: I love Spanish cuisine! I enjoy Taco Bell and Chipotle too.
What we hear: I don’t have any idea of the beauty and diversity of Latino food, but I will mention taco bell because I know Mexicans eat tacos and all Latinos come from Mexico.
5. What you say: You should be a great cook, dancer, mom, or own a chihuahua!
What we hear: I’m assuming you must be a great cook because Latinas love to cook, and they fit into the stereotypical warm and loving housewife. For that reason you should also be a great dancer, mom, and for some stereotypical reason own a Mexican barking machine.
So… now you know, these are a few things you can skin the next time you engage with a Latina. We don't like them and we have heard a mix of these and so much more throught our lifetime.