Personal Experiences

Erika (Hunter College):

I went to my friend’s house one day. Her family is Italian. After not seeing me for years, the question came up. Her mother asked me what I was studying. I told her I was thinking about getting into broadcasting and her immediate response was “That’s great! Are you going to work on Telemundo?” At first I laughed. My first reaction was thinking it was cute she knew about this Spanish network. My friend however was immediately embarrassed. She was like “Mom! That’s so racist!” Once she pointed that out I began to think yeah, why does it have to be Telemundo? Why can’t I work at CNN or NBC?

The other day, in my Multi-Ethnic Literature class the professor asked one of my classmates to discuss what the book we were reading, Bodega Dreams, was about. She responded by saying it was about a couple who had their difference because although they were both “Spanish,” the girl character, Blanca, was trying to be “white.” The professor asked her what she meant by this and my classmate responds, through great difficulty, yes – she’s trying to be white because she wants to be better than everyone in her neighborhood, she wants an education – She doesn’t act like a Spanish girl.

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Jessica (Lehman College):

I’m a cashier at a discount store in the Bronx. An African-American guy came to my register to check out. I told him the total cost was $11.19. He looked at me astonished and commented on how well I spoke English. “Where did you learn?” he asked me. I was confused by the question. I responded that I learned in kindergarten. "Why wouldn't I know English?" I asked him. Uneasingly he said "because you're Mexican."

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Rosario (High School of Economics and Finance):

In school people have a hard time believing I’m Mexican because I don’t have kids and because I get good grades in school.

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Nicole (Vet Tech Assistant):

I was stereotyped a lot in high school. I was called “Rice and Beans.” I was called “Mexican” even though I’m Puerto Rican and Dominican. When I pointed out I wasn’t Mexican, they would proceed to say “same thing.” I was called an immigrant even though I was born here. Also, when guys try to kick it to me, they are always saying things like “mira mami” and “oye mami” even if they are clearly not Hispanic.

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Blanca (City College):

While walking I saw an Asian girl handing out flyers. I saw white girls and other Asian girls pass by but the girl never handed them a flyer. However, when I walked by she shoved a flyer at me. It was for a trip to Mexico to help out alongside a church group. She either thought I was Mexican, or very religious.

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Heidy (John Jay College):

I have a friend in school who wanted to switch her major to Forensic Science. She needed a signature from the head of the program to declare the major. When she went to request the transfer, the lady gave her a hard time. She rudely asked if English was even her first language and suggested it was going to be impossible for her to complete the major as a Hispanic since mostly whites and Asians are usually the ones competing for the major.