To Be Hispanic in the USA
We Latinos have pride in the richness of our traditions, cultures, values and even our language. But to be Hispanic in the United States is a big challenge and an adventure.
You stop being Mexican, Colombian, Honduran or Guatemalan and start being called “Hispanic.” In our countries we hardly ever hear that word and much less use it to identify ourselves.
Every Hispanic is considered undocumented, but what does that mean? For the majority, it is an uneducated person who does manual labor, eats about anything, has a big family, cannot communicate because he doesn’t speak English, and who doesn’t pay taxes.
Hispanics are regarded as something strange. They are invisible for certain institutions; for others they are second class citizens. However, they are very real for sellers, for thieves and for swindlers. Their numbers, statistically, are large, but they don’t count for health programs, education and other services, including religious services.
It is said that Hispanics are blessed with their faith, that they have great traditions rooted in their Catholic faith. Nonetheless, in their communities their leadership stays only at the volunteer level. They do not participate in the decisions at the parish or diocesan levels. Their pastoral needs have been relinquished to the will and generosity of a few people who many times do not understand the culture and try to apply a simple formula and force them to be part of the American church.
As Hispanics we should not loose our identity, nor should we be regarded as inferior people. It should be a challenge to learn about the diversity of so many people and so many cultures which make up the Spanish world.
It is also an opportunity to live the Gospel and live in unity, in brotherhood and solidarity, as the Lord calls us to do. No one should take advantage or attempt to go against the dignity and the right to be part of a community.
Father Fernando Torres