#WhatLatinoMeansToMe: This Is How Latinos In America Actually Identify
*There’s a back story here (there always is). I’m tapped-out with “Hispanic Heritage Month.” Every year, when September 15th comes around, marketers and media roll out their old ideas, dust them off, and re-purpose them for this year’s celebration. There’s rarely something new to be enthusiastic about. I spoke to BuzzFeed’s Adrian Carrasquillo last week when I saw him at a Voto Latino conference in San Antonio, TX. He told me of their plans for “Hispanic Heritage” coverage and I immediately recognized something new. He said he’d send me a link when they published, here it is. VL
By BuzzFeed
This Hispanic Heritage Month, instead of tired attempts to lump together such a diverse community from many different backgrounds, we thought it would be great to see Latinos across the country self-identify, let us know where they come from and what their culture means to them.
1. Chloe Santos, Puerto Rican, 10, Harlem, NY.
2. Julio Salgado, Mexicano, Berkeley, California.
3. Rosario Dawson in San Antonio, Texas.
4. Eugenio Herrera, 46, Mexicano, Harlem, NY.
“Soy de origen Mexicano. Ser Latino es un ORGULLO. Compartimos una hermandad con una cultura muy rica.”
“I am of Mexican origin. I’m proud to be Latino. We share a brotherhood with a very rich culture.”
5. Edith Valle, 20, Mexican-American, San Antonio, Texas.
6. Micah Singleton, Knoxville, Tennessee.
7. Leo, Brazilan/ Ecuadorian, Los Angeles.
8. Jessica, Mexican, Los Angeles.
9. Genesis Rodriguez, Cuban/Venezuelan, Miami, Florida.
“It means I’m lighter in the winter and darker in the summer. It means we can speakreally fast.”
10. Porfiria Suarez, Mexicana, Harlem, NY.
“Being part of a group that speaks Spanish.”
11. Kimberly Ibarra, 19, Mexican, Laredo, Texas.
“The border is my patio and the community that inspires me.”
12. Gina Rodriguez, Puerto Rican, Los Angeles.
13. Sara Ines-Calderon, Austin, Texas.
14. Sandra Garcia, Dominicana, New York City.
15. Denise Moreno, 22, Mexican, Houston, Texas.
16. J. Balvin, Colombian, New York City.
17. Katrina Arsola, 24, Chicana, San Antonio, Texas.
“My culture is split — Mexican blood and American traditions.”
18. Kelly, Salvadoran, Los Angeles.
19. Maria, Guatemalan/Mayan, Los Angeles.
20. Viannca Velez, 26, Puerto Rican/Latina, New Jersey.
21. Julian Alcazar, Latino/Mexican, Washington D.C.
“I am Latino. I am Mexican. I am the son of immigrants. I am living the American Dream.”
22. Kim, Mexican/Puerto-Rican, Los Angeles.
23. Diane, Guatemalan, Los Angeles.
24. Maria Rubio, 27, Salvadoran, Harlem, NY.
“For me it’s an immense pride being Salavadoran. I love my country and I love being part of the Latino family. I love the food, the culture, it all makes me proud of my race.”
25. Abigail, Mexican, Los Angeles.
26. Ryan Ibarra, 24, San Antonio, Texas.
“I may not speak Spanish but my values, my passion and who I am has stemmed from my HERITAGE.”
27. Cynthia Amaya, 22, Mexican-American, El Paso, Texas.
28. Maty Herrera, 46, Mexicana, Harlem, NY.
“Proudly a Latina. It’s a culture with very important values.”
29. Ana Cardona, 20, Chicana/Mexicana, Texas A&M University.
“My culture is Tejano music, Vicente Fernandez, multifaceted and BEAUTIFUL.”
30. Gabriel Caro, Puerto Rican, Massachusetts.
31. Franceska Medina, 21, Boricua, Harlem, NY.
“Latino means to me different and happy people who are happy with themselves in and out. No matter how different we are in looks or color.”
32. Caroline Arroyo, 24, Latina/Puerto Rican & Colombian, San Antonio, Texas.
“My culture is not a ‘flavor of the week’ it’s my everyday.”
33. Sylvia Guevara, 21, Chicana, San Antonio, Texas.
“Not from here, or from there, because I’m Chicana.”
34. Christian, Mexican, Los Angeles.
“Hard working.”
35. Juan Vazquez, 26, Colombiano/Latino, San Antonio, Texas.
36. Maria Samaniego, Latina, Mexican, Panamanian, American.
37. Yolanda, Salvadoran, Los Angeles.
38. Adiel Polanco Tejada, 20, Dominicano, Harlem, NY.
“Soy Dominicano. Ser Latino es un orgullo por que son todos de un mismo sentir.”
I’m Dominican. I’m proud to be Latino because we are of the same mind.
39. Emilio Rizzo, 61, Harlem, NY.
40. Jesus, Mexican, Los Angeles.
41. Angel, Mexican, Los Angeles.
42. Michelle Hernandez, 32, Hispanic, San Antonio.
43. Migna Rodriguez, Nuyorican, Harlem, NY.
“Latino means we are united.”
44. Johana Carrizales, 20, St. Edwards University.
45. Krystalee Torrens, 19, Boricua, Harlem, NY.
“I’m Puerto Rican, I’m proud.”
46. Jonathan, Mexican, Los Angeles.
“Sticking together.”
47. Margarita Ayala, 64, Mexicana, Harlem, NY.
“Being Latino means giving a lot of importance to family and hard work.”
48. Crystal DeLeon, 19, Spanish, San Antonio, Texas.
49. Oscar Santos, 39, Puerto Rican, Harlem, NY.
50. Josie Gutierrez, 46, San Antonio, Texas.
51. Alex, Mexican, Los Angeles.
52. Mariana Zamora, 19, Latina, San Antonio, Texas.
53. Rodrigo, Salvadoran, Los Angeles.
54. Andrea Madeleine Medina, 21, Mexican-American from San Antonio, Texas.
55. Ivette Davila-Richards, Puerto Rican, New York City.
“I am Puerto Rican! As a Hispanic I embrace my Spanish language; culture; music; history and its cuisine. By Honoring it daily, I let others know about it. If I succeed, so do they!”
56. Priscilla Gonzalez, 26, Dominican/Puerto Rican/New Yorker, Harlem, NY.
57. Karina Saucedo, 20, Mexican-American, San Antonio, Texas.
58. Daniel, Mexican/ Argentine, Los Angeles.
59. Alana Zamora, 19, Hispanic, San Antonio, Texas.
60. I’m Jose Luis Maldonado, Puerto Rican, from Connecticut.
