Spring Break
Latina students reflect on their education
Panel discussion raises awareness of difficulties faced by Latina women in American education
Claudia Lozano
Issue date: 3/6/08 Section: News
"My accent is slowly drifting away," she said.
Meza came from Mexico when she was 18 years old and attended two years of high school. She said during the first six months she didn't like being in the United States and was crying most of the time. Meza also said she didn't like being treated as a special person, so she started to study and practice English.
Ortiz, Meza and Hernandez said in high school all their teachers expected less from them.
"No one expected for you to work to your full potential," Ortiz said.
But college is different, they said. They don't feel special treatment because of the variety of students as well as other international students.
Professor Santos-Phillips moved to the United States. when she was seven. She said when she arrived her teacher made her feel accepted.
"She never made me feel as if I didn't belong here," Santos said. "It was a good experience and it bothers me that today kids don't have the same treatment."
Ortiz said she didn't have a Latin accent, but because her looks were different she received different treatment.
They all said that they are only given special treatment if they say English is not their first language, and that it makes them concerned that their achievements were not because of their efforts, but because they are Latinas.
"We want to be given the same opportunities," Santos said. "I don't want to ask myself 'did they give me the job because I'm Latina, or because I'm good as everybody else?' "
Meza came from Mexico when she was 18 years old and attended two years of high school. She said during the first six months she didn't like being in the United States and was crying most of the time. Meza also said she didn't like being treated as a special person, so she started to study and practice English.
Ortiz, Meza and Hernandez said in high school all their teachers expected less from them.
"No one expected for you to work to your full potential," Ortiz said.
But college is different, they said. They don't feel special treatment because of the variety of students as well as other international students.
Professor Santos-Phillips moved to the United States. when she was seven. She said when she arrived her teacher made her feel accepted.
"She never made me feel as if I didn't belong here," Santos said. "It was a good experience and it bothers me that today kids don't have the same treatment."
Ortiz said she didn't have a Latin accent, but because her looks were different she received different treatment.
They all said that they are only given special treatment if they say English is not their first language, and that it makes them concerned that their achievements were not because of their efforts, but because they are Latinas.
"We want to be given the same opportunities," Santos said. "I don't want to ask myself 'did they give me the job because I'm Latina, or because I'm good as everybody else?' "
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