She identifies with her Latin heritage easier than the heritage of her mother , and why not she has the dark hair and eyes, beautiful sun-kissed skin the color of canela, yes a real Latin beauty. Little did she realize until recently that her looks will get her in easier, but it will be her tongue and her attitude that will determine if she will stay and be accepted. Is looking the part enough?
While doing some volunteer work in the Latin community my daughter felt very confident and excited , after all she looks like them so she should be fine and blend right in.Or so she thought, first that pesky language barrier who would have thought that learning Spanish and speaking it fluently, could cause a sense of confusion ? Hmmmmm the story of Babel comes to mind.... Then there was the culture shock...growing up with an" American Prude" as a mother has handicapped her ability to understand that we have our way of doing things and others have their way and neither way is better.... just different.Her shock and confusion must have been plastered on her face because then she noticed that they were pointing at her and laughing ...not cruelly but because well my little Latina deny it as she may has a bit more gringa in her than shed like to admit. It was a good lesson though and perhaps it will convince her that mommy really does know what's best, and she'll remember" when you learn a language, you learn a new way of thinking" and understanding the culture will soon follow.
While doing some volunteer work in the Latin community my daughter felt very confident and excited , after all she looks like them so she should be fine and blend right in.Or so she thought, first that pesky language barrier who would have thought that learning Spanish and speaking it fluently, could cause a sense of confusion ? Hmmmmm the story of Babel comes to mind.... Then there was the culture shock...growing up with an" American Prude" as a mother has handicapped her ability to understand that we have our way of doing things and others have their way and neither way is better.... just different.Her shock and confusion must have been plastered on her face because then she noticed that they were pointing at her and laughing ...not cruelly but because well my little Latina deny it as she may has a bit more gringa in her than shed like to admit. It was a good lesson though and perhaps it will convince her that mommy really does know what's best, and she'll remember" when you learn a language, you learn a new way of thinking" and understanding the culture will soon follow.
