Puerto Rican Illinoisan

Labels given, a combination of fact and fiction:

Puerto Rican

Born in Florida but raised in Illinois 

In my mind, Florida=abuse so home is Illinois

Not Chicago, but the 'Burbs

One of a dozen Hispanics in a nine hundred person school

Racism

Discrimination

"But you dont look Spanish?"

From so many people

Because of my light skin? Or my lack of tight clothes and heavy makeup you expect from the telanovelas?

"Are you adopted?"

From an interview for a service scholarship

Because I wasn't fitting your ideas of how Hispanic people act?

Slut, lazy, and stupid are some of the nicer words I've heard

*laughs* "Honey, you should really look at community colleges"

From my high school college counselor

Because without looking at my grades, accomplishments or anything at all you just knew where I would fit best?

"You're Hispanic? Oh that's how you got into a top 20 college"

Because it's impossible I was accepted based on merit?

I can't choose what labels others give me

But I can choose the labels I give myself

Labels chosen:

Daughter

Survivor

Special Education major

Queer

Service leader

Woman

Animal rights activist

Friend

Puerto Rican Illinoisan