Unseen Racism: A Latina Student's Struggle

“‘Most of the racism in schools today is not born out of intense hate and does not come from this place of wanting the worst for students of color,” [...] It’s subtle.’” explained Jarrod Schwartz. Racism has become a part of our everyday lives, and it goes by unnoticed and unacknowledged on a day to day basis. Being the victim of unintentional racism, I know how it affects one emotionally and makes one question their own identity.
Growing up, my ultimate goal has always been to attend a great university. So I worked for my grades. I did my homework. I strived to be successful. It never occurred to me that my peers assumed that since I am Latina, I am not capable of obtaining good grades. For some reason, whenever that topic was brought up among my friends, it was always a shocker. When people told me “Oh you have good grades?” or “You’re smart for a

Mexican” although it seemed like they were trying to give me a compliment, it offended me. The idea that I couldn’t be smart because I am Mexican was wounding. Am I not supposed to get good grades because of my ethnicity?
Assuming a person’s academic success based upon their ethnicity is simply unethical.

In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Calpurnia is able to read, but other African-American folks are not. During that time period, it was common for black individuals to be uneducated, but even so, “‘It was Miss Maudie Atkinson’s aunt, old Miss Buford’” that taught Calpurnia her letters (Lee 165) Many made the assumption that since Calpurnia was African American, she was illiterate. This demonstrates how you can disregard stereotypes and focus on your own success, and not others opinions.
Some may say that these comments are jokes and meant to be taken lightly, but it is actually “a terrible back-handed compliment that suggests that my education and success mean I am not "really" part of an ethnic minority, which highlights how well I've done but dismisses my self-identification and deeply insults my people.” (Blanco) When you notice someone being unintentionally racist it affects you just as much as it would if someone made a blatantly racist comment, because although the racism is veiled, the message is still

conveyed.
Children shouldn’t be obligated to fit into the stereotypical mold society has created. Not one child should feel as if they need to change themselves to please others. Not one child should feel as if they can’t succeed due to their ethnicity. Not one child should be criticized for who they are. Instead, children should be taught that all races and ethnicities are valued, and have the ability to succeed. Awareness is the only way to prevent oppression. By understanding how each and every one of us contributes to racism, whether it’s at school or work, we can eventually, with time, come to a point where each and every child will be able to be comfortable in their own skin and be capable of reaching the highest mountain of success.
As shown in the video, even the most successful students must overcome adversity and racism. Larissa Martinez is a prime example that anyone has the capacity to triumph over discrimination, regardless of your ethnicity or background. By noticing and acknowledging daily racism, we will no longer be victims of negative stereotypes. It is this awareness that helps me know that my success is not defined by my ethnicity but by my hard work.
I am Latina and I will succeed.