2008 Woodie Awards
Latina like me, walking in the shoes of others
Part one of ______ like me, a six part series examining diversity on campus
Maryin Chavez
Issue date: 10/6/08 Section: Opinions
Maryin is the name, like the left "margin" of a paper. That is usually how I have to explain how to pronounce my name. However, others pronouncing my name has not been the only thing that I have had to struggle with. Growing up as a Latina has not always been easy and living in the South did not help much, either.
When I was younger, it seemed to be difficult for teachers to categorize me in a particular race. I was not dark enough to be considered black, yet I was not light enough to be considered white. I, myself, was confused and did not know where I should fit in; however, the black community seemed to always invite me with open arms.
As I got older, the Latino community got bigger, and Hispanics were more recognized in schools and the overall community.
It even became an option in the race section; Hispanic, Latino, Chicano, not Caucasian. Yet, as changes like that were made, growing up still wasn't easy. I was teased a lot and called many names for being Latina.
For example, I was called Mexican, which I find very offensive not because I don't want to be Mexican but because Mexican isn't a race, Mexico isn't the only Latin American country, and people are quick to judge and think that every Hispanic is both Mexican and illegal. Illegal I am not, I am an American citizen, and I earned my citizenship the right way. For 19 years I was a resident of the United States, but on June 10, 2008 I became a citizen of the United States of America and take much pride in it.
At MTSU, things, at first, seemed to repeat as if I were back in my elementary school years. Again, I didn't know where to fall in. Luckily, I heard of a Latina sorority and automatically I felt more like myself, and it felt more like home. I joined the sorority as a founding member along with my four other line sisters. Since the sorority has started, many people have seen our dedication and ambition to make changes on the campus.
Although there are still people who are against what we believe in, Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority will continue to strive for what the national sorority and our local Delta Iota Chapter believes. We stand for unity, love and respect of all people no matter what race, religion and/or belief.
Being in a sorority has really helped me as a person, in being confident in myself, and has given me motivation to help improve the MTSU community. MTSU is very diverse. Being active here on campus, being a part of the solution and being academically successful, I will show others that anything is possible if you believe.
I am who I am, and I wouldn't change it any other way. I am proud to be Nicaraguan. I am proud to be an American. I am a Latina.
Maryin Chavez is a senior mass communications major. She is the first of six students featured in our six-week "Like Me" series.
When I was younger, it seemed to be difficult for teachers to categorize me in a particular race. I was not dark enough to be considered black, yet I was not light enough to be considered white. I, myself, was confused and did not know where I should fit in; however, the black community seemed to always invite me with open arms.
As I got older, the Latino community got bigger, and Hispanics were more recognized in schools and the overall community.
It even became an option in the race section; Hispanic, Latino, Chicano, not Caucasian. Yet, as changes like that were made, growing up still wasn't easy. I was teased a lot and called many names for being Latina.
For example, I was called Mexican, which I find very offensive not because I don't want to be Mexican but because Mexican isn't a race, Mexico isn't the only Latin American country, and people are quick to judge and think that every Hispanic is both Mexican and illegal. Illegal I am not, I am an American citizen, and I earned my citizenship the right way. For 19 years I was a resident of the United States, but on June 10, 2008 I became a citizen of the United States of America and take much pride in it.
At MTSU, things, at first, seemed to repeat as if I were back in my elementary school years. Again, I didn't know where to fall in. Luckily, I heard of a Latina sorority and automatically I felt more like myself, and it felt more like home. I joined the sorority as a founding member along with my four other line sisters. Since the sorority has started, many people have seen our dedication and ambition to make changes on the campus.
Although there are still people who are against what we believe in, Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority will continue to strive for what the national sorority and our local Delta Iota Chapter believes. We stand for unity, love and respect of all people no matter what race, religion and/or belief.
Being in a sorority has really helped me as a person, in being confident in myself, and has given me motivation to help improve the MTSU community. MTSU is very diverse. Being active here on campus, being a part of the solution and being academically successful, I will show others that anything is possible if you believe.
I am who I am, and I wouldn't change it any other way. I am proud to be Nicaraguan. I am proud to be an American. I am a Latina.
Maryin Chavez is a senior mass communications major. She is the first of six students featured in our six-week "Like Me" series.
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