Two Interesting Stories: Latina Confessions (documentary) and a Racist School Bus Driver

Filed in archive Latin Issues , Latinas on September 29, 2007

As usual, Hispanic Trending brings us two excellent and very interesting pieces. The first one is about a documentary about Latinas, how society portrays them and what they're expected to be. "Latina Confessions", created by Louis P. Moreno, interviews 25 latinas, from different places, backgrounds, ages and heritages.

The contradictory challenges and expectations Latinas living in the US must face are explored:

On one side their family, especially the women of the family, are telling them that they have to remain virgins until they get married. Being "pure" is was a major deal within their culture, more often than not because the mothers and aunts were Catholics. However, everyone expects Latinas to be sexy and flirty yet innocent at the same time. They would be seen as "cute" by the Latino men and, unfortunately, as meat. One woman said this was because, "Latino men have yet to accept that times have changed and women are not going to fit into the stereotypical Latina woman like they once did."

Definitely worth reading. The other one - Bus driver reprimanded for calling 'rowdy' Latino students Brown garbage' - reports a school bus driver offended Latino students, because they were misbehaving.

"He said, 'All you brown people are garbage,' " said the Latina student, who attends Bonneville Junior High. "Your people are pieces of trash. You guys are nothing."

Everybody knows teenagers can be REALLY annoying, but there's no excuse for the use of racial slurs. The driver's name hasn't been revealed; I think they should inform who said those things to the students, and fire him. As simple as that.

You can read the rest of both stories on Hispanic Trending. Just follow the links. ;)