Barrientos Memoir

        The title of this reading assignment is Se Habla Español. The author of this essay is Tanya Barrientos. The purpose of her essay is to let others know that there’s people just like them out and about in this world. Barrientos audience are other Latinas whose background heritage is not engraved in them but they want to still fit in.  Barrientos thesis is that she wishes “we all had the courage to come out of our hiding places and claim our rightful spot in the broad Latino spectrum.”

        The value of learning that takes place outside of the classroom is extremely important. Lack of learning outside the classroom could make one feel as if they do not fit in with society, especially if one is like Barrientos. Her parents believed that if Barrientos could speak the “red, white, and blue” without any sort of accent, that she would fit in perfectly. She truly believed this too. Furthermore, she states “speaking Spanish translated into being poor.” That is a thought that no one should feel, regardless of their ethnic background.

        Outside of the classroom we look up to our parents or guardians to learn important stuff so that we all can fit in. It’s our guardian’s decision on what we learn from them and what they keep away from us. Most people would say that what their guardians kept away from them was only for their own good. While others, like Barrientos, may say that they wish their parents did not keep certain elements away from them such as their native language. Life would have been so much easier for Barrientos if she knew how to speak her native English fluently like her parents but her parents believed that she would be judged. She was already being judged though. The people that were native to her language and spoke it fluently would often make her feel like she does not belong by giving her “the look… that raises the wall” between them.

        All in all, no one should feel as if they do not want to be affiliated with their native background. We all come from different backgrounds, and that is what makes America so unique. I, coincidently, relate to Barrientos’ memoir. I use to not want anything to do with black people who act “black” as whites would say. This came about because of the elementary school I attended in 5th grade. It was predominately white, and I had to change my ways to fit in. I do not recommend this to anyone but can say that there are certain characteristics that one may want to leave out based on their native background.