I told a Brazilian friend about my new blog. He came here to check it out, and then he told me something that started an interesting conversation:

He - You don't look like a Latina, if that's your face on the first post (we haven't met in person yet).
Me - Well, that is my face. Yes, that's true. The question is, Latina is a pretty wide definition; one that includes almost three continents.
He - Yes, I agree.
Me - I don't look like a Latina, but I am Latina.
He -By the way, I think it's an awful term, mainly because most of the time it's used as a synonym of race.
Me - It's true, but I'm proud of being Latina.

That got me thinking about two things. First, about the looks. It's funny (and sad) how we all are expected to fulfill certain standards and labels. If you're Latina, you should look like it, right? Wrong! Because, what does a Latina look like?

That takes me to the second question: the "race" remarks. We are not a race; Latinos are people who belong to the Latin culture. Sure, there are physical characteristics shared by a very large number of us, but this doesn't apply for all Latinos. Blond women are less Latinas? I don't think so.

I've read an interesting testimonial about this: No, really, I'm Hispanic - found via Hispanic Trending. Elizabeth Welch says "(...) there are times when I wish my ethnicity showed.". She doesn't look like she's supposed to, and people get surprised when she says she's Mexican. You see, she doesn't fit the label. Neither do I. Give me a break! Being Latina/o is a cultural matter, and it shows in your language, in your opinions, on the way you act and how you see the world. Not necessarily on your skin or your hair.

Tú que piensas?