La Nueva Latina

 Paquita La Del Barrio said it best: 

Aquí las mujeres mandan!

It’s a new day, a new time for Latinas. We have shifted; evolved into a whole new Latina if that makes sense. We’re not trying to be like our abuelas or even the crazy tias. That doesn’t mean we don’t respect them and their values (I can see the chanclas flying now), it just means we are now strong enough to stand on our own two feet and defend our very own beliefs. 

1. The Workplace 

While there is a still a hell of a lot of work to be done here, clears throat - like equal pay - we have made strides in the office. We understand that our cultures are assets to the workplace. The days of not speaking Spanish in front of anyone are gone. In fact, pay me more since I’m Bilingual! Our perspective is important if you want to reach the Latina market. We are not just sitting at a desk to fill a quota; we’re ready to work. 

2. Motherhood on our terms

Marriage, children and family still rank high on the list of Latina priorities for sure but we’re doing our own thing now. We areliving together without being married first. We are not having kids right away. We are working full time jobs and splitting the cooking and cleaning with our partners 50/50. We are calling the shots and realizing we are pretty darn good at it. Weepaaa!

 3. Self-care is a thing 

Finally, we are taking time for ourselves. As a Latina, I feel we are incredibly nurturing. We are selfless. We want to make sure everyone else is taken care of before we take care of ourselves. I have seen this in many ways. Think about it, your mom serving everyone else before serving herself during dinner time - seems like a minute detail but it played a big part in how her life played out daily. Now, she is making time for herself and making sure she is sitting at the dinner table with you, instead of after you. 

As I said earlier, we still have a long way to go. I am not being naive, I know we haven’t quite reached the point where the entire world knows and understands the immense value Latinas bring to the world - I am aware and as a whole, Latinas are aware also. But we are making our voices heard. We are rising in big numbers and defending who we are. We are not waiting for a seat at the table; we are building our own table. And since we are Latinas, you know that shiii is hecho a mano.