The Sell Out

The reading on body Ethics and Aesthetics Among African American and Latina Women brought up some interesting points about both cultures. The African American women base beauty upon attitude, style, personality, and presence. In contrast, the Latina women based their beauty on health and disease. However, the portrayals of Latina women in the media have changed compared to the reading and their cases. Now we see more Latinas in the media in a variety of different ways. One of the participants mentions Selena and Jennifer Lopez, two beautiful Latinas with much success in the music and fashion industries respectively. Selena is one of the best examples I can think of that represents a Latina! She overcame obstacles and barriers that kept her from reaching her dreams and goals. Her family was of Mexican descent but she grew up here not knowing much of their culture and had trouble with her Spanish. Despite all of this she was a successful Latina woman loved by all. Nowadays we have Latina girls being called "sell outs", "agringadas", or "pochas". They get these terms because they aren't fluent in Spanish or they side more with the American side than their Latina side. Some of them are even ashamed to be at all associated with their Latina backgrounds and do whatever it takes to not fit into the category. As the authors of, Body Ethics and Aesthetics Among African American and Latina Women mentions, some girls will go as far as dying their hair or wanting to lose weight to fit into the stereotypical image that they see in the media. I think it is important for girls to stay in touch with their Latina side and be proud. Embrace your culture and spread it so others learn about you and the beautiful country you come from. I believe that knowing your culture is as important and necessary in order to know where it is you come from.