Low Income Mexican-American Women

Being Mexican means I am not as privileged as White Americans. This actually makes me very upset sometimes because although I am a United States citizen people still view me as someone who does not belong here. I only get mad and defensive when people treat me less because of my ethnicity. The University of Mexico used survey data, bivariate and multivariate results demonstrate that social connections to whites promote Mexican American activism (Santoro 2012). Overall, I try my best not to let anyone get to me, but it can get difficult at times because I feel

My story is a story of rebellion. Growing up was hard enough when my father walked out the front door and never came back,and left my disabled mom to take care of five kids;but growing up with a different skin color than everyone else would come with its own set of challenges.Due to the fact that my father was here on a working visa,we had to relocate constantly,so he could find a job. That meant moving a lot and attending many schools. Often students would treat me as though I was a circus act and ask me to speak Spanish. When people discovered that I could not speak Spanish,especially other Mexicans, they would comment about how I am supposed to be able to or else they would not consider me a true Mexican. My father thought it was more important

Reading Peggy McIntosh's essay "Unpacking the Knapsack of white privilege" I felt very uncomfortable because even thought you don’t want to believe that your skin color and race, can have so much impact on how your life can be and how people would treat you is very sad. We are people and that’s all that matters, why do we have to put down other groups because of the way they look or speak. Is hard to explain how I really felt because for some reason I felt betray why am not sure I feel like I have so much against me that is very scary think about it am a Mexican female, and as a woman I already have so much negativity coming towards me and then you add that am Mexican and its very overwhelming. I got very emotional doing the assignment to the point that it was hard to finish. I think because of what's going on in our society, many groups targeting my people and trying to raise kids in this world is getting harder. but I think the first list was easier because if I kept on going with the second list I would have a longer paper and more negative thoughts in my head. Am very proud of being Mexican and I wouldn't change that for anything, but sometimes all the negative things that people say about your people can be very

Immigrant women are involuntarily sterilized in the name of public health. Immigrant women who arrive in the United States to give birth feel coerced into sterilization. The information that was provided to these women regarding sterilization has not been in their native language. All forms provided to patients, especially consent forms for any procedure need be a person’s native language. Many immigrant women who do not know English and give birth in the United States are under the impression that the forms they are required to sign in English are standard after giving birth when they just signed forms consenting to have a tubal ligation.

I would began to mask my insecurities as best as I could and forced myself to understand that I couldn’t change myself no matter what I did. “You’re pretty for a dark-skinned girl.” was a phrase I heard often growing up,but do to my low self-esteem and the eagerness for acceptance I took this offensive statement as a compliment.Recently I started to learn more and accept my African Heritage,traditions and ancestry which empowered me to take pride in my African and Caribbean Culture.I realized I shouldn’t abide by western ideologies of beauty and just love the richness of my melanated complexion and

I am a true victim of discrimination. As a Latina, living and being raised in The United States has been challenging. One of my earliest memories of being discriminated was back in high school. It was my freshman year there were so many things going through my mind such as would I be liked, would I make friends, but come on we all know the moments of crisis can take people by surprise well it did to me on a Monday morning. It was very windy made the tree branches dance literally no kidding as I was walking to school I noticed the entrance was crowded made it even worse it took me 10 minutes to get inside. As we arrived to our classes I notice I had Spanish first period. We had to introduce our self with details.

Knowing the racism Latina’s continue to face today, I believe it can become difficult for Latin American’s to truly feel as if they belong in this country. For instance, the study conducted by Parra-Cardona, et al. asked both foreign-born and U.S. born Latina parents questions regarding family life, and experiences in America. Unsurprisingly, the research found that both foreign-born and U.S. born Latinas have experienced discrimination in America. One mother recalls: “I remember a lot of things from school…

I come from two Colombian parents and I am very proud of my culture. I have always wanted to go against the stereotype of being "lazy" Latinos. The older I got the more aware I was of the discrimination. I knew that I wanted to represent and be a role model first generation Latinos who's parents didn't attend college here. My father is our only income right now, as my mother is still going through recovery of her cancer treatment. My father has worked very hard to maintain my family, but when it comes to paying for school, he can only do so much. I started working my first semester of college, but my money went to school and helping my family out. I currently do no have a job as I just moved to Los Angeles and am an intern at Warner Bros. Records, which is un-paid.

I 've faced many challenges because I am undocumented, my parents and I immigrated to the U.S when I was eight months old. When I was nine my parents told me I was illegal, they told me that we had crossed the border illegally and that we would get deported if the government found us. They also explained to me that being illegal meant I wouldn 't have the same opportunities but it wasn’t an excuse not try. If anything it meant I had to work twice as hard because they believe I could achieve anything with hard work. We believed that even if I was undocumented my good grades would make me an exception and every night we prayed I would receive scholarships. Since that day, if classmates or friends asked me where I was born I would say

Throughout last generation, immigration has been vital for my family- my mother is an immigrant, and so are my paternal grandparents. Being Mexican immigrants in a land that does not accept you is hard; I’ve seen the struggles firsthand. Like my grandparents, my mother did not have many opportunities once she entered the United States. She came seeking to start a career and make a name for herself, yet ended up being an assistant manager at Wal-Mart. Nonetheless, she has worked hard alongside my father to provide the best for my brother and I. But I know if she was a white American without a Mexican accent,

Growing up, the struggles of my father showed me that hard work and being a good person will not stop others from having stereotypes about the Mexican community. Racism and discrimination exist, but my community stays strong. Through strong men and even stronger Mexican

I was a 5 footer in a 6 foot environment. A few months after I migrated to America on June 2009, my parents told me that I am undocumented. From watching movies and TV shows, listening to the news and hearing the comments made by the people around me, I learned that being undocumented came with many limitations: I cannot work, I cannot freely volunteer, I cannot get financial aid-I cannot gain necessary experience for my future. My immigration status kept me from developing my character, causing me to fall short compared to the average student.

This group of immigrants face even greater challenges when migrating to the United States. Indigenous Mexicans are often viewed as being at the bottom of the social and economic ladder, instead of being associated with an appreciation to the indigenous culture. They face barriers both within the U.S. society and even among other Mexican migrants, as many times they speak neither English nor Spanish (Cengel). “They look at us with disgust in their eyes. Trying to make us feel inferior, when we come from the same country,” says Maria Guadalupe Cruz an indigenous Mexican from Oaxaca, “They think they are better than us because they are from the city, but here they view us all the same, like Mexican immigrants.” This causes indigenous migrants to become more isolated than any other immigrant group, making it even more difficult for them to assimilate into life in the

When I was younger, I was surrounded by primarily caucasian students. I went to a private school up until first grade. I often remember being the only one with dark colored skin. I never had a problem with my appearance until others began to point out what they saw as flaws. I was told by another girl, that because I am black, I am not as beautiful as her. Frankly, I was shocked. I, being six years-old, could not understand how having a deep complexion was not beautiful. Then what she saw, I began to see in myself. I began to see that my hair was not as long, but rather short and curly. I began to see that in the winter, my skins dryness was more noticeable. I began to see all the so called “flaws” she saw in me. However, she only saw those

It’s frustrating to see many Mexican women’s work go unnoticed and unappreciated, I say this because I’ve noticed it within my family and friends as well.