When you think of Latinx people, what comes to mind?
To some, a Latino is someone who speaks fluent Spanish, loves reggaeton and bachata, and is passionate about their country’s soccer team.
Being born in the United States to a Moroccan father and Colombian mother, the term “Latino” has a different meaning to me.
Growing up, I was immersed in Western culture and watched different music, shows, and sports than my peers in Colombia.
In 2014, when Colombia qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 16 years, their success didn’t matter to me.
Since basketball was more popular than soccer in the US, the only James I knew was LeBron James, not James Rodriguez.
As a result, I was unable to understand the Colombian people’s passion for soccer and felt no connection with them.
Now, even though his Spanish has improved and he’s found a love for soccer, he still gets criticized for not being Latin enough.
What else do I have to prove myself?
Many Latino immigrants and their descendants feel the same way.
According to a 2015 national survey by the Pew Research Center, only 77 percent of grandchildren of Hispanic immigrants identify themselves as Hispanic, and only 50 percent of the entire generation identifies as Hispanic.
By assimilating into American culture, Latinos have lost part of their identity.
Like my mother and grandmother, thousands of people immigrated to the United States in search of a better life for themselves and their children. There is nothing shameful about pursuing prosperity, so why is the current generation ashamed for being out of touch with their roots?
Many Latinos believe that success can be achieved through hard work and that it is the best way to make their families proud.
This belief is exemplified in the children of immigrants, who can take advantage of the new opportunities presented to them and realize their dreams of success.
Being “true” Latino in the United States isn’t about the music you listen to, the sports you watch, or even the language you know. Rather, it’s about embracing the aspirational values instilled in us by our immigrant ancestors, which are the ultimate expression of being Latino.
