Ashley Steel's Page

This is my final blog post with Latinitas, and I wanted to use it to say a big thank you to the Latinitas community! I have learned so much from all of you, and enjoyed being an “honorary Latina” for a semester. Thanks to those who participated in discussions on my blogs, and took the time to read my work. I’ve made so many friends through this organization, and had the opportunity to teach so many terrific girls.

For those of you who are new to Latinitas, I recommend the organization…

              I grew up thinking I was a little Latina. I knew elementary Spanish, and I believed that salsa (the spicier the better) was way cooler than sliced bread. I tried to put cilantro on everything, even when wildly inappropriate, and my skin would tan darkly under the Texas sun. When I grew old enough I realized that I was in fact, very typically Caucasian, and my Spanish accent would have me pegged for a gringa before I could complete the word “Hola.” I was disappointed, but…

            On paper, Cecilia is an ordinary Latina. She was born and raised in Peru, given a common Latin Catholic name, and raised speaking Spanish. Her eyes and hair are long and dark, and yet when Cecilia—now a UT student—attends a Latino sponsored party, she is the only one who fails to receive the standard greeting. Instead of cheek kisses and Spanish, she gets a hand shake and English.

                Cecilia is set apart by the fact that she is Chinese. Her dark eyes are almond…

Picture:Wonderwoman

Before & After Transformation

This semester, many of…