I’m Latina and I Look White

New York – N.Y. — S immigrated from South America to the United States when she was just 11 years old because of the dangers she had faced in her home country. As a 45 year old currently in New York, she works as an attorney and her and her husband own a business where they employ over 30 people. 

She remembers the struggles her parents went through to move to the United States. She said, “My parents were not rich. We were middle class. They gave up a lot to come to the United States, but education was a priority.”

When S moved to the United States, she did not speak English. Even though she spoke no English, she worked hard to get to where she is today. She graduated at the top 10% of her class in high school and was able to go to a very good university, which were all opportunities that helped her land a corporate job. 

She defines the American Dream as being able to succeed in what you put effort into doing. “I think I have been lucky and I’ve had the opportunity to have the American Dream,” said S. “I have a job, but I think I’ve been able to live the American Dream.”

She believes that her success in achieving the American Dream is due to the opportunities that she was given as a girl who did not look like the typical Latina with darker skin.

As an immigrant, she thinks that other people can view her life as a success story. There are many others who are just like S, who work hard and contribute to society. In recent years, immigrants are brought up in a negative light to which she responded, “When we say immigrants are ruining our country, when we go into those negative aspects, I think I’m the epitome of why you should be welcoming to immigrants.”

“If anything, I am the success of what they do not believe could happen.”

S is…

• 45 Years-Old
• Female, Cisgender
• White
• South American
• Upper Middle Class
• Heterosexual