Bridging Gaps

A few recent events have made me think about my bilingualism in a way I had never previously considered. There have been a couple of instances when a peer and a co-worker, both fluent in English and Spanish, have chosen to begin a conversation with me in English, but then switched to speak in Spanish around other peers and co-workers who are known to only speak English. During both occasions I felt extremely uncomfortable for two reasons. First, I did not want my co-workers, who I would have to work with daily, to have a bad impression of my friends and me. Secondly, I did not want my friends to feel rejected by me for choosing to respond in English as they continued to speak in Spanish. 

One of the dynamics of language is that it can either unite or separate people. In this case, it is possible that my friends’ selection to speak Spanish was influenced by their wanting to connect with me in a personal level because we all have similar backgrounds. However, doing so, whether consciously or subconsciously, this affiliation often times results in a division between us Spanish-speakers and them English-speakers. It undoubtedly emphasizes the differences of both groups. As much as I wanted to bond with my friends through our shared language, and I did by answering the first couple of sentences in Spanish before switching back to English, I could not comfortably continue the conversation in Spanish for fear of alienating the other people in the room.  I also did not want to create a gap between my Latino ethnic background and my American background

This is an example of a situation when it was difficult to embrace my two cultures at once. While it would be great to put on one identity one day and a different one the next, it is not that simple because you want to show loyalty to both cultures. I have found it beneficial to be inclusive and flexible with both cultures by finding solidarity within them. While it is completely appropriate (and sometimes subconscious) to connect with another person through the convergence of a language, we should make an effort to be mindful about when it is or is not appropriate.

As a bilingual Latino-American I am constantly faced with options, many consisting of choosing with whom and when to associate either background. It was not until confronted with these situations that I realized the power of my behavior. It seems to me that our bi-cultural identity becomes an advantage when we learn to manage both identities in an effective and cohesive way. The ability to gain the support of both audiences can help in bridging the gaps between both group’s relationships.

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Interview with a Facebook Fan

 

Interview with a Facebook Fan

Posted:10/06/2010 

Our Facebook Fan, Niki Sosa, a senior at Colorado State University-Pueblo, is President of the organization Benefiting the Education of Latinas in Leadership, Academics, and Sisterhood, also known as B.E.L.L.A.S, established as a first step to help bring the sorority Lambda Theta Nu, Inc. to campus. All of the supporters who believe in this momentous step participate in fundraisers, volunteering, and other events. In an interview with Niki, she shares the accomplishments and goals she holds for the organization and the campus.


Why was it important for you to establish B.E.L.L.A.S on campus?

Niki: I attended the University of Colorado-Boulder before I transferred to Colorado State University-Pueblo. While at CU-Boulder, I pledged a Latina Sorority but due to health reasons was unable to complete the process. Once I arrived at CSU-Pueblo, it came to my attention that a Latina sorority hadn't been established. I was looking forward to joining an organization that fostered unity, sisterhood, and volunteerism. However, when I investigated other Greek Life on campus I discovered that we only had one sorority on campus. This was a traditional Greek Sorority, it wasn't what I was looking for and I refused to settle. I wished to bring a cultural aspect to Greek Life at CSU-Pueblo with a Latina sorority (non-traditional). A friend from CSU-Fort Collins told me about a sorority she was involved with, Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. Their values fell right in line with my own: academic excellence, community involvement, leadership, and sisterhood. Confident in what this sorority believed in, I began taking the necessary steps to expand the sorority on campus, one being to establish the group B.E.L.L.A.S on campus.

What is your mission and how does this organization benefit Latinos in college?

Niki: Our mission is to strive for academic excellence and community involvement. To ensure all members maintain a good academic record we will be implementing ten weekly study hours for the entire group. We also help Latinos become leaders on campus by encouraging involvement with campus events and community service. Our moral support is what keeps us strong. We want to help young women stay in college, stay academically strong, and stay driven towards benefiting the community; this is possible through our commitment to sisterhood and friendship. It is also worth noting that this organization welcomes women from all ethnic backgrounds, it is not limited to Latinos.

What was the process of becoming a new student organization like?

Niki: Becoming officially registered was simple, but it has been a challenge gaining interest and members. B.E.L.L.A.S requires a lot of hard work and a lot of time dedication; many girls are not up to the task.

Since the organization was implemented, what kind of projects and/or activities have you worked on?

Niki: Although we got off to a rocky start, after getting organized our initiatives on campus and in the community really picked up. An important asset of the organization is that we help the Pueblo community and not only the campus community. We have participated in a local event called the "Duck Stampede" (where ducks race in a pond). The money raised during this fundraiser goes toward purchasing dictionaries for every third grader in Pueblo. We have participated in a "Walk" on campus to raise money for CSU-Pueblo athletics.
This semester we plan on assisting with a conference entitled "Soy Unica Soy Latina" � geared toward creating positive self-image for young girls; and smaller events during Hispanic Heritage Month. We are hosting two blood drives and a month-long book drive to donate to a local school and/or library. We plan to pick up a lot of steam this semester and really make our presence known on campus and in the community.

In addition, the national sorority we are expanding is very involved with the community, holding annual philanthropic events such as an annual conference for young girls to encourage them to be strong leaders, a book drive and fundraiser to promote literacy in the Latino community on a national scale, along with helping a national non-profit.

Did you get a lot of support as you were bringing the organization to campus?

Niki: I'm actually surprised with the amount of support we have had. Members of the national sorority we are attempting to expand have been extremely supportive and are excited that we have chosen to expand Greek life with their sorority. On campus, our faculty adviser continues to help us with the expansion process, and the director of Student Activities has provided us with every useful resources available to make the process smoother.

When do you foresee the sorority established on CSU-Pueblo campus? How would you like to see it grow?

Niki: Our goal is to have a chapter of Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. established on campus by spring 2012. Right now a lot of the girls are expected to graduate in 2012 or 2013 so we want to be strong enough so that when we are gone, the chapter can still thrive. My hopes are to have the chapter grow in number every year and establish its own original annual events on campus that differ from the requirements of the national organization. I would also love to see this organization as a trend-setter for other Greek organizations to come onto campus and would like more non-traditional and traditional Greeks to establish chapters at CSU-Pueblo.

What's your ambition?

Posted:09/17/2010 

As a summer intern for an amazing insurance company, Allstate, I was invited to attend the annual Best Companies for Multicultural Women National Conference in New York City. With a focus on the successes of multicultural women in the workplace, this year's theme was "Ambition." It wasn't until this two-day conference that I became aware that being an ambitious woman is often viewed negatively by others. As a first-generation Latina, daughter of immigrant parents, there was no question about the importance of my education and my role as a leader. At a young age my family instilled in me that I could become whatever I wanted as long as I continued my education, worked hard, and never doubted my potential. However, as the day went on it became clear to me that not everyone grows up with the same level of support.

During a break-out session called Same Race Circles: Owning your Ambition, the conference leaders had all of the women go to rooms according to the ethnicity they self-identified with. I sat proudly in the room of accomplished Latina women who either work in Corporate America or own their own business. During this activity, we discussed a moment in our lives (an "ah-ha" moment) when we realized that yes, we are motivated women of color and yes, it is perfectly okay to publicly display our ambitious side. I felt inspired by the women's stories of overcoming the challenges of being a first-generation student, single parent, widow, or divorcee. Still, I couldn't help but wonder: If we are all Latinas who share similar journeys and constantly contemplate what we can do to help other Latinos develop a professional life, then why do so many of our burdens come from our own ethnic group, family, or communities? Many of the stories involved fathers, husbands, boyfriends, or family members who encouraged the women to be less assertive and more obedient in the workplace because, "you can keep your job that way." All too often that suggestion is a reflection of the belief that the Latina woman's place is at home.

This panel resonated with me because there we were, a room full of beautiful, successful, and independent women listening to immense similarities in our stories about the things we have had to bravely surmount in our daily lives. This was the moment for all of us to look eye-to-eye with a sympathetic heart and recognize that all along, when we thought we were alone, there was someone next door or across the nation fighting through the same worry. It shouldn't take someone to allocate us to a room to have these discussions. The conversation can, and should, start today. Your first step can be coaching your neighbor, sharing your story, and leveraging your diverse experiences. I left the conference thinking about how I can be an active participant in my community rather than only being a vigilant listener, and sharing this blog with you is my first step.