Being Latina is Beautiful
I have always been proud of my Puerto Rican heritage, but in the past, when society praised white women and made them the beauty standard, I found I had a hard time feeling like I fit in.
From a very young age, I was well aware of how different I looked compared to my peers. My skin was darker, and I had thick, dark body hair — including a noticeable mustache. This contrast became the source of my self-consciousness, especially as I entered the third grade when I began shaving: a task my mother had to help me with
My hair was another reason I hated the way I looked. It was unruly, frizzy, and curly – the opposite to the straight hair that seemed to be the epitome of beauty in society. In an attempt to blend in and feel accepted, I started straightening my hair constantly. It was a painstaking process, but it seemed worth-it when I received so many compliments. These moments of praise were the only time I felt pretty. Looking back, it's disheartening to realize that I felt the need to change my natural appearance so drastically just to feel a sense of belonging. To this day, I still can’t escape the “you look better with straight hair” comments.
Language and cultural differences also seemed to make me stand out. Growing up in a Spanish-speaking household, I occasionally struggled with the English translations of minor words. This language barrier, though seemingly small, was somewhat frustrating when speaking to non-spanish speakers. Regardless, I found joy in comparing the different words we used for the same object with my friends that spoke different dialects of spanish.
Most importantly, my name, which rolled off the tongue with a beautiful rhythm in Spanish, sounded sharp and awkward when pronounced by non-Spanish speakers. This difference in pronunciation might seem irrelevant to some, but to me, it was a reminder of my two identities – one that I embraced at home but felt out of place in the outside community. To this day, introducing myself to non-Spanish speakers is something I am hesitant about, as I can feel myself cringing when I distinctly pronounce the “T” in Tatyana.
These experiences, while challenging, have shaped my understanding of beauty and identity. They have taught me the importance of embracing one's heritage and the unique qualities that make each of us who we are. Although I am still on a journey of self-acceptance, I've come to realize that the beauty standards I once aspired to fit into were narrow, and that true beauty lies in embracing and celebrating our differences. My culture has so much to give. It’s full of history, family, and love, and I’m thankful every day to experience it.
-Tatyana M <3
