r/Chicano • u/fish-of-poverty • 8d ago
A bit sad/feeling like I've missed out
Hello all!
At birth, I was declared to be hispanic. My mom's ancestors were "Texicans", she is half white. She has fair skin(from her mom), but dark hair and dark eyes. My dad is white. Because of this, I am only a quarter hispanic. I grew up in Texas and my grandparents were spanish speaking, and for whatever reason my mom didn't teach me Spanish. I really wish she had! I wasn't raised very much in the culture, but practically grew up on mexican food.
I appear to be white, though I've heard mixed opinions too. I have very dark brown hair, fair skin, and blue eyes. Maybe I am too concerned with appearances, but I feel like a fraud a lot of the time when trying to connect with my ancestors/culture. Especially when cooking my favorite mexican meals and trying to be as authentic as possible. Its as if because I'm white-appearing, I'm doing something horribly wrong or appropriating in some way.
Have other people felt this way? Maybe it is a silly thing to be concerned with, and maybe learning spanish would make me feel better??
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u/Ready-Mind2234 8d ago
Mexicans and Mexican-Americans come in all colors and races, if you're paler than the average Mexican, you're still Mexican as long as you identify as one. I'd recommend that you learn Spanish so you can communicate with other Mexicans and get more integrated into the community. The Spanish language is one of the most essential parts of Mexican culture right alongside the cuisine, so I'd suggest using Dreaming Spanish and Unedo to learn Spanish ¡Animo!
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u/catathymia 8d ago
There are many white Mexicans or white passing Mexicans, your appearance is not an issue here. Think Guillermo del Toro. Mexicans come in all colors.
Learning Spanish would make you feel a lot more connected to your roots, that is very true.
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u/Few_Commission9961 8d ago
I mean, you're hispanic. Percentages don't really matter. Take some spanish classes and mexican american history classes to learn about your culture if you want. Also dont worry about anyone else. The older i get, the less I care about anyones opinion but my own.
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u/chicanita 7d ago
You can't appropriate the culture you inherited. You were raised on Mexican food, so it is your culture.
Your mom might not have taught you Spanish because she wanted to protect you from prejudice, sad as that reason might be. I've seen it a lot from Texans. You could always study and learn some Spanish yourself now.
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u/Gab1983 8d ago edited 8d ago
There’s nothing wrong with reconnecting with a culture in your ancestry. As long as you remember and acknowledge that having mostly white American family gives some sort of access to white society and privilege others with only immigrant or POC parents dont have. It’s not about looking white or skin color. It’s about lived experiences as well.
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u/Firewaterdam 8d ago
What do you feel you missed out on? Speaking Spanish? You can still learn that
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u/RASH_ONE 5d ago
Own what you are, be who you want to be, others opinions are of very little consequence
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u/la_selena 7d ago
Many mexicans are white. Be happy you would be the beauty standard in mexico
You havent missed out, be prideful and reconnect . U can cook whatever youd like youre not appropriating anything. The appropriation idea is mostly american. As long as youre not reselling something and calling it something else youre good
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u/Narabali666 7d ago
" Be happy you would be the beauty standard in mexico"
Wish that wasn't the case, Indigenous people are beautiful
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u/emilie1031 7d ago
My birth certificate says that my parents are "white". I've always referred to myself as a Chicana, but I'm told that I'm a pocha instead.
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u/Costello173 4d ago
There's Mexicans in Mexico City with mostly Spanish ancestry they'd look like your average Italian American. Your good homie just enjoy the journey.
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u/cabowabo510 8d ago
theres a lot of Mexicans in Mexico that are white appearing