Dear Stereotypes,

I hate you. Elementary school is usually a time of fun and friends. However, my 3rd and 4th grade revolved around one word- bullies. Not only was it already difficult being the new girl, but additionally, I was a Mexican and African-American girl in the Dual Language program. The Dual Language program consisted of an English speaking class learning the language of Spanish before other students would later on in their education. Being Mexican, you would assume I was in the Spanish class, but I wasn’t. My peers found this dilemma “unfair” and they saw it as me having an advantage, even though I hardly knew any of the language. My peers would hate me for that reason and then make stereotypical jokes about me.  They saw them as jokes but I just saw them as reasons why I didn’t want to be Mexican anymore. I would constantly hear “How did you cross the border?” and “Go cut my grass.” These words trickled deep into my mind and constantly hearing these phrases made me wonder something. Would I get teased this much if I wasn’t Mexican? I felt like I should only be proud of being African American, and growing up in my town, I was surrounded by African Americans, so I thought I would fit in more.  I began telling my peers that I had more African American than Mexican in me, hoping the teasing would terminate.  Along with this change, I began to pretend to be someone I wasn’t. Instead of listening to the music I adored, I began to listen to common music that those who would torment me did. I felt myself slipping away, and I started to miss the bubbly and energetic girl I once was. Realizing what had happened, I decided to no longer shy away from my Mexican side.  This setback I encountered affected me by making it evident to me that I should be proud of being African American and Mexican and that nothing should get in the way of taking pride in my ethnicity. A marble cake. Mixed. A combination of things. When you take your first glance at me, you probably won’t guess what my ethnicity is. Am I Spanish? If I am, I must be Mexican right? Wait, my hair is curly, does that mean I am African American? These questions would constantly be asked of me, and even if they are accurate, they are common stereotypical questions. Although the stereotypical jokes that were said to me made me want to lose a part of myself, it gave me a glimpse of the struggles that both African Americans and Mexicans have been facing and most importantly, it increased my sense of pride. I am proud to be Mexican and African American, and no thanks to you, but thanks to overcoming you. Stereotypes do so much damage. They judge a person based on race. You create depression, anger and turnoil. You need to be stopped before the world becomes full of hate.

From,

Maya Brown