With the growing body positivity movement, the “women come in all shapes and sizes” mantra has been voiced both in everyday conversations and in the mainstream media. But with just a glance at Hollywood’s leading ladies, it’s clear that the catchphrase doesn’t apply to Latinas. The sensual curves of Jennifer Lopez, Sofia Vergara and Salma [...]

I grew up thinking I was a little Latina. I knew elementary Spanish, and I believed that salsa (the spicier the better) was better than sliced bread. I tried to put cilantro on everything and my skin would tan darkly under the Texas sun. When I grew old enough  to realize that I was, in [...]

On paper, Cecilia is an ordinary Latina. She was born and raised in Peru, given a common Latin Catholic name, and raised speaking Spanish. Her eyes and hair are long and dark, and yet when Cecilia—now a University of Texas at Austin student—attends a Latino sponsored party, she is the only one who fails to [...]

Religion can be a touchy subject, but many Latinos are no strangers to religion. Sometimes it can be difficult to separate cultural traditions from religious celebrations. For example, quinceañeras are a popular tradition in the Latina culture. The core of the quinceañera tradition is rooted in church service by marking the transition from niña to señorita as well [...]

For most of my life, I assumed I was white because I was only looking at the color of my skin. People even called me “white girl” because I had no accent and looked, well, “white” to them. I even remember the time a group of Hispanic girls formed a circle around me and called [...]

In the diverse world we live in, there is a need to know more than one language, or at least the ability to be able to hold a conversation in a language other than your native tongue. In the United States, for example, Spanish is the second most common language and in some parts it’s [...]

Marie Hernandez has lived 10 miles away from Mexico her whole life. Growing up bilingual, Hernandez says sometimes she dreams in both Spanish and English. Chelsie Torres, who also grew up close to the Mexican- American border, said she’d rather speak English. David Gamboa said growing up with Spanish-speaking parents made it hard for him to understand [...]

How do you represent your Latina culture when the native Spanish language does not run through your mouth? Last names such as Chavez, Diaz and Garcia are daily pronounced in a wide variety of accents– some emphasize “ía” while others smoothly articulate the way they roll their “r.”  While bilingualism is a common expectation in [...]

I’m a good girl, right? This is the question that many girls ask themselves frequently. For centuries, women have made an effort to adapt to society’s standards on manners, behavior and appearance. Both men and women try to conform to society’s expectations. The difference is that women have done it to gain acceptance and avoid [...]

By Elvia Navarette Carefully placing her deceased father’s framed portrait on a round table covered with a Spanish style tablecloth, Lorena Andrade neatly arranged his favorite things such as the sugar cane, bananas, tunas and lemons and a Coca Cola glass bottle. “With the candles and the scent of the flowers they can find you,” [...]

I spent the early part of my childhood in Phoenix, AZ until my family moved to California, where I was actually born. It was a memorable time. I remember our house. A small white house with green window flaps. There was a big front yard with two wire fences. The backyard was enormous but as [...]

I grew up in Pasadena, a city on the outskirts of Houston. My childhood memories make my hometown so special to me. Pasadena is where I had friends and family within walking distance, and I first learned how to drive on its streets. There is a majority of Hispanics who live in Pasadena, so people [...]

Vea este artículo en español aquí For Edilsa Lopez, an undocumented immigrant born in Guatemala, coming out about her immigration status makes her feel nervous, but she has no fear. “I am undocumented and unafraid,” she states. “With no fault of being here undocumented because I didn’t chose to be here undocumented. Right now, I [...]

What cause has rallied activists like Jennifer Lopez and Salma Hayek? Feminists, social justice advocates and human rights activists internationally have joined forces to fight femicide – the systematic killing of women. Ciudad Juárez has recently gained international attention for the femicide of over 400 women found raped and murdered during the last decade. As [...]

It is universally acknowledged that it’s not easy for human beings to step out of their comfort zone, especially while adding the challenges of learning a new language, making new friends and getting accustomed to a new lifestyle. I learned that lesson early in life, at nine years of age when I left my friends [...]

My mom is my best friend. She is there for me when nobody else is. She has a way of making me laugh when I don’t even feel like smiling. My mom is my role model. Everything about her is perfect in her own way. My mom only wants the best for me, and she [...]

“I get annoyed with the way she does things or says things,” shares Gabriela Garza when she talks about her sister.  “We fight about clothes and money, or even plans we’ve made like if we want to go to a movie or to a restaurant.” Sound familiar? This kind of behavior is common among brothers [...]

One of my favorite memories growing up was when I was a little girl sitting at the kitchen table looking up at my mom and grandmother as they made tamale. I remember the masa leaving globs of off-white goo on the table, while everyone around the table shared their stories, memories and happy tales. Now, [...]

Here I am standing in front of an inactive volcano with my dad, mom and brother. I celebrated my quince by spending a week in Ecuador. During my visit I went white water rafting, horseback riding, dancing, shopping, swimming, and so much more! I also go to spend time with my uncles, aunts and all my cousins. [...]

Ariana talks about what made her quince special… “This really means a lot to me because all of my family. We all pretty much come together. I decided late that I wanted to have a quinceañera, so my family helped a lot in getting things planned, in getting the church, the dress and everything together. [...]

While few girls are lucky enough to even have a quinceañera, even fewer are lucky enough to have their quince featured on a hit television show. Jazmine Gomez from Panorama City, CA was one of the chosen few to have her quince featured on Quiero Mis Quinces, a Tr3s: MTV Musica y Mas series that [...]

The day has finally come, the day a young girl turns fifteen. This coming-of-age ball celebrates a young girl’s 15th birthday and dates back to ancient cultures in Mexico, Central and South America. This commemoration honors a young girl coming of age with a ceremonial mass and eventful festivity. Customarily, planning for an eventful day [...]

The quinceañera has been a tradition for many generations, but today’s quinces are not your mother’s traditional quinceañeras. Today, Latinitas push the limits of this coming of age celebration with new and exciting trends. The Court The vital quince court has been a staple in quince celebration. Now, courts come in all different varieties. Some [...]

In the Latino culture, many girls celebrate their coming of age through a significant ceremony called a quinceañera. Usually this occasion is marked by a girl turning fifteen years of age, hence the phrase “quince.” As many generations of Latin Americans become settled into the United States and become more “Americanized,” the tradition of having [...]

Alyssa Silva, a fifteen-year-old from Austin, Texas, celebrated her quinceañera with her family and friends last November. “When we were at the church and my father blessed me during the ceremony, we both cried. It was very emotional for us. He was very proud of me,” says Silva. “Mine was different than my sister’s “quince” [...]

By Cynthia Rodriguez After the church ceremony, the young woman celebrated her day at the reception which followed immediately. In her long white dress, she danced, ate and visited with family and friends. This day, which marks an enormous change in her life, is hers to remember forever and is one she will surely never [...]

Hey Latinitas where in the world do you wanna go and how do you plan on getting there? Is your family making plans for the summer? Do you have a senior trip coming up?  Do you want to organize a road trip before college? Is there a travel-abroad or volunteer-abroad program at your campus? Traveling [...]

As a country still living in the shadows of communism, Cuba represents a combination between an old and new life. This past summer, I received the opportunity to spend a week in the island’s capital of Havana for educational purposes. Before hopping on the plane, I had no idea of the many adventures that awaited [...]