Latino

       What is Latino? Que es Latino?  So much is undefined in this term. We were born into our Latin American countries (or derived from them through our parents) and were slapped with a label: Latino. This term has no easy definition. If you define yourself a Latino, like the way Wikipedia defines Latino 
( see link:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latino) you'd say to yourself, Is that it?
        There's definitely more that comes with it. What I've learned growing up is that Latinos define Latinos. We make the rules. We break them. We roll everything out on a big conveyor belt that is constantly changing and evolving. Who we are now has so much to do with who we were then. Any Latino will tell you how proud they are to be a Latino, to be part of a beautiful colorful group of people from all countries, accents, foods, etc. What I take away from the debate of identity in the past 20 years, that like all ethnic groups, we do things our own way. We do things with sabor. We add a little twist to a rhythm you've never seen or heard before. We embrace diversity but we hold our own roots. We savor our heritage and yearn to understand more of who we are and where we came from. The stories of struggle and poverty don't embarrass us. They make us feel like we're worth more because of how hard we've worked, how far we've come.
        As the world grew, Latino awareness spread. You can see it everywhere. In the decor, the menu at your local eatery, the ads around your neighborhood. Perhaps you think, "They want to make me feel at home." or "They paint the colors I love in my streets so I feel welcome, not alone." I find myself walking through Los Angeles exploring how Latinos have changed the businesses around my hometown. How names attached themselves to the walls that surround me: "Ferreteria Gutierrez", "Muebles Sanchez", "Pupuseria Flor Blanca" It is completely amazing to be surrounded by ourselves, to bring our countries to this one and to make ourselves known to others and sprinkle their lives with some of our own. 
      We continue to define this term "Latino" as much as we define ourselves every day by the way we live our lives in this country. We share stories with each other of the customs that remind us most of home. I used to say that my home was Little Mexico in L.A. My mom lived like she knew how: the way she watched her mother do things. Even though she was not in Colima anymore, she cooked the same meals and prepared things in the same way. She played the same music she remembered my Abuelita play when she grew up. She made tortillas by hand even though we had faster and more modern ways of producing them. I observed a lot of moments growing up that made it clear that she missed Mexico and that even though she wasn't there anymore, she wanted to make this her Mexico away from home. 
       Every Latino must define him or herself. Does being Latino mean speaking more Spanish at home? Does being Latino mean not abandoning holiday traditions? Does being Latino mean doing things the way your Mom used to do them? Does Latino mean working as hard as your Dad did? I think that bringing a foreign way of life into your new one is making a whole new Latino emerge: the Latino who exists as his experience has shaped him, the way his roots have molded him but has adapted to a new culture while not forgetting nor abandoning that red rose, that cinnamon stick, that black or pinto bean, that fried delicacy, that folkloric dance, that passion for fiestas, that lively demeanor, that hardworking spirit. These are the things that rule over the cheeseburger, the Starbucks latte, the french fry, the club scene. These are the things that survive from generation to generation.