How Identities Impact the College Experience: The Hispanic and Latinx Experience
The Hispanic and Latino population at Elmhurst University has grown significantly in the past few years. As the school continues to diversify, it is important to understand the extra barriers minorities face.
While the school has expanded to become a Hispanic serving institution (HSI), many students are still facing a lack of resources and support. Hispanic and Latino culture is widely known for their close knit families, love of dancing, and amazing food.
The Hispanic and Latino communities continue to struggle with both ethnic and racial barriers both at school and in society. However, the pride of family, community, and culture connects both communities and creates a sense of comfort for all.
Ericka Creek: Hispanic and Latino/Latina are commonly used interchangeably, which do you identify with more?
Vincent Cascio: “I think it depends on the context or the situation. Personally, I do not mind Hispanic or Latinx. I know that can be controversial for some in the community, but to me it relates to the queer community. I am open to either Hispanic, Latino, Latinx, Latine.”
Javier Gloria: “I can be grouped in either category. I also use them interchangeably since they both apply to me.”
Stephanie Melchor: “I think I identify with both. Not everyone who is Hispanic, is Latina and vice versa. I do not mind, because I identify as Hispanic and Latina.”
Miguel Luna: “Latino.”
EC: Are you a first generation student?
Cascio: ” I was not. I was second generation. I am one of a handful of cousins and aunts and uncles with degrees. I am one of three to have a masters degree in my family.”
Gloria: “Yes, I am. My brother and I are the first generation. My sister dropped out of her first semester of college. Essentially, it was me leading my family, leading my brother as an example of post- high school. Being first generation means a lot to me since my parents never even completed high school.”
Melchor: “I think so. My dad went to college, but in Mexico.”
Luna: “Yes, I am.”
EC: How does being Hispanic/Latino impact your identity or everyday life?
Cascio: “I grew up in places that were predominantly white. I grew up in the city, south side Bridgeport, but then my parents moved us up to the Northwest suburbs where it was predominantly white.
I was one of few minorities in the school system so it was always brought to my attention that I was different. I certainly have a darker skin tone so I often was called something different sometimes because to others I look more ‘racially ambiguous.’
It was always a reminder growing up that I was different. Some of it was okay, but there were also situations where it was negative.
Sometimes I had to have conversations with peers about how the stereotypes they believed are harmful to the Mexican – American community. People would ask why my family was so close or why I had so many family members… It is with me everyday whether I want it or not, someone will always tell me that I am different.”
Gloria: “there are some good sides and bad sides. I am Mexican so I’m Latino and Hispanic, that means I get to represent a minority, especially here on campus.
Being able to represent my culture with me coming from a low-income household as well and hopefully getting to help my parents as well. I feel like I have to do more to be able to be heard.
A white person does not have to do much, because they are statistically more connected. They also have more resources, I have to go the extra mile for everything I do to be seen and heard.”
Melchor: “When I was younger, I felt like I was not American enough. I felt like having a good connection with Spanish was wrong. I worked at the airport over the summer before I got here and I saw everyone so proud of their language and culture.
Seeing how proud and unashamed everyone is, made me more proud and unashamed. They made me feel like Spanish was a blessing, not negative. I felt I should major in Spanish to become more familiar.”
Luna: “We are in a pretty white neighborhood and the college was pretty white when I first got here. It has become more diverse. I feel a little uncomfortable here because I have less interactions with people of color here.
When I started to feel more uncomfortable was when I took my communications class. They really pushed the ideas of privilege and minority. It started to mess with me.
I had never thought about it until then, and it negatively affected me because I never thought of myself as a minority. It made me feel as if I stood out. I sometimes feel uncomfortable when I am the only person of color around.”
EC: Do you think being Hispanic/Latino changes your college experience?
Cascio: “I think it plays a role. I was always reminded that I am coming into a space as a person who is different. I have always known that I was different and society made it known that I was different.
It can certainly influence how you come into space. There are times when I am a little more closed off because I do not know the vibe. There are times when I see other people of color in the same space and know that I can bring my guard down, because I know they get it.
We have not all had the same experiences, but they are similar enough to know that we can relate and support one another. Going into predominantly white spaces and institutions can sometimes be uncomfortable and it is important to build a community of support around you.”
Gloria: “particularly here at Elmhurst, there are not a lot of Hispanic teachers. It’s disappointing because I don’t have anyone to connect to. In my specific degree, most of my professors are white. As for students, I don’t see a lot of minority students, even in the political science and urban studies fields.”
Melchor: “Most Hispanics do not have college experience and do not know what it entails. Most of my family, especially my mom’s side, did not go to college. They ask me why I am not working. The support system is a little different because we do not get the same support, resources, or knowledge.”
Luna: “For sure. Here, I am always thinking about how I am a minority. I sometimes feel uncomfortable when I am the only person of color around.”
EC: How can the school better your experience as a Hispanic/Latino student?
Cascio: “Every institution struggles with this, this is not just an Elmhurst issue; however, as an institution we are working on investing in staff and faculty development, increasing our awareness of culturally responsive curriculum, and moving from Hispanic enrolling to Hispanic Serving.
We need to understand and embrace those differences. I think it is important to have real conversations about how certain processes will impact other communities more than what we thought.
I think right now, we have the opportunity to evaluate certain policies and procedures to see if they are actually helping our students, in particular, our students coming from underrepresented minority communities.
If they are not helping, we need to change them. I think there were good intentions with certain policies and procedures put into place, but it was coming from a deficit mindset.
Almost like white savior complex, rather than ensuring that students have easy access to resources so all students can be successful. The same thing goes for employees, we need to create a sense of belonging for staff through investing in professional development so everyone is getting the most out of their experience.”
Gloria: “I would like to see more representation in faculty. The only way that happens is in Spanish classes, but even some of the Spanish teachers are white.
Since Elmhurst has been given an HSI grant, that could be used to attract more Hispanic students, especially low-income students. Being from Chicago and the high school I went to, and the resources I was given, I didn’t have to suffer as much as students from the south side of Chicago.”
Melchor: “I know there is La Promesa Azul that was just implemented. I think this will be a great resource because most Hispanics do not have access to everything.
I know grants for Hispanics are nice because they allow us to have paid internships, we all need internships but most of us need money more.
I would like to see Elmhurst recognize that many of us live in the moment, and do not have the privilege of focusing on the future. Another thing is having more cultural events and food. Even when we walk into Founder’s Lounge, the music is always in English.”
Luna: “Maybe having more Hispanic teachers or more diversity in the faculty. Personally, I did not like the communications class because they pushed the ideas of how much of a minority you might be. My mentality is that you were given what you got, so you have to work with it.”
EC: Have you experienced anti-Hispanic/Latino discrimination on or around campus?
Cascio: “I have experienced microaggressions…like microaggressions about stereotypes or the misculturing of people like ‘aren’t you Puerto Rican ‘no I’m Mexican’ ‘oh but you are all the same right?’ A dismissal of culture and differences, kind of like an overgeneralization of who we are as a community.”
Gloria: “This instance was not towards Hispanics specifically, but a professor made a comment about the relocation of a metal scrapyard from Lincoln Park. Lincoln Park is made up of primarily rich white people.
They wanted to move their facility to the Southeast side of Chicago, which is primarily Hispanic and Black. Many organizations around the south side rallied to protest the permit allowing the facility to move. The professor noted that it gave people jobs, but it was a capitalistic approach.
Those living on the southeast side of Chicago already face a lot of pollution from the many companies already down there. Adding the metal scrapyard facility would be another example of environmental racism. I took offense to it, because they are already facing so many issues.”
Melchor: “ Yes, if I go into stores and people are wearing pro-Trump clothing. If you are associating with that, that is being hateful to everything he stands against. Personally, I mostly experience microaggression such as a Trump hate or being asked my nationality or ethnicity.”
Luna: “Not that I know of.”
EC: What is your favorite part of being Hispanic/Latino?
Cascio: “Part of it is the rich culture I come from. For Mexicanos, we are collective as a community. Like most Latino communities. We are very family oriented.
In general, we are always in constant communication. The level of support sometimes is just so valuable.
For me, it is a sense of pride in my background, having a better understanding of our history, and a better understanding of my own personal history and its indigenous roots. There are so many cool things about it; the music, the culture, the food.”
Gloria: “Not to brag, but the food. I went to Mexico recently and was obsessed with the food there. Mexican food is way more flavorful, there is a wide variety of dishes, and it is easy to make.”
Melchor: “Just being able to say I am Hispanic is something of pride now. It also brings connections, just being able to speak Spanish with someone creates a bigger connection. Not everything in English translates directly to Spanish. Having something else that identifies me, adds to me and brings me pride.”
Luna: “The culture! Specifically music and dancing. My siblings just went to Mexico and my little brother who never wanted to dance here went and was forced to dance.
I like that because you are able to move around and express yourself. You get to be a community. I feel like American culture lacks that. At least the dancing aspect.”
EC: Do you have a community on campus? If so, who makes up this community?
Cascio: “My community is made up of majority professionals of color, which are majority women. Which I appreciate. Since I got here in June, I have been connected with so many people from different areas, whether it’s different departments or cultures.
The majority of my community is women of color or just women in general. They have taken me in and we share similar goals and values.
There is my friend Adrianna from financial aid, Rejeska from grants, Karina who is our new project director, Dana from Academic Affairs, and of course Bruce King who is my direct supervisor.
The ladies in our OSI suite have been incredible as well! It is a family of what I call ‘my little disruptors’ because we all disrupt in a way that is intentional and positive for students.”
Gloria: “My primary community are the folks on SGA because they were some of the first friends on campus. Since I started here as a commuter, it was hard to meet people because I only came here for classes.
I had a part-time job and had to take care of my family, so I could not take part in clubs outside of my availability. I also have some community with folks in the OSI office; Cheryl, Amanda, and Vinny.”
Melchor: “The Spanish department makes me feel very comfortable. It is like a little family because professors and students get along so well.
Alpha Mu Gamma, most of the Spanish majors are in it. Professor Gomez is the head of the Spanish department and advisor for Alpha Mu Gamma. I never thought I would join this club, but I have made life-long friends.”
Luna: “My community is made up of friends, other computer science majors, the Learning Center. Even the staff at the Learning Center, we are like a big family.”
