White liberals get into the act & eagerly assess my Latino-ness.
By Ruben Navarrette
Latinos have a favorite parlor game that no one ever seems to win. Its childish and cruel and yet extremely popular. It could be called Im more authentic than you.
I know this game. In fact at various times over the years Ive sat down on both sides of the board.
When I was in college and going through an identity crisis of my own as a Mexican-American at a predominantly white school I looked down on Latino classmates who I decided didnt sufficiently identify with their ethnic background. Maybe they spoke Spanish poorly wore blue contact lenses or came from upper-class families.
Now in a kind of karmic payback others will sometimes do the same thing to me.
Latinos on the left will read a column detailing my criticism of President Obamas cynical policy of deporting record numbers of illegal immigrants and accuse me of not being ethnic enough. Whatever that means.
Things take a turn toward the absurd when white liberals get into the act and eagerly try to assess my Latino-ness. Recently one Obama defender labeled me an apologist for Republiscum and declared my ethnic identity a bit tattered and less-than-authentic.
That line of attack is racist rude and condescending. I cant imagine being so forward as to tell a black person that he isnt black enough or a gay person that he isnt gay enough.
But apparently its fine to do that with Latinos.
Christina Aguilera knows exactly what Im talking about. The pop diva turned reality-show star recently said in an interview that she gets criticized for not being Latina enough.
Ive dealt with that (criticism) my whole life the co-host of The Voice said in an interview with Latina magazine.
I dont speak the language fluently. And Im split right down the middle half Irish and half Ecuadorean. I should not have to prove my ethnicity to anyone. I know who I am.
She went on: I wouldnt be questioned (about my heritage) if I looked more stereotypically Latina. Whatever that is. All I know is no one can tell me Im not a proud Latina woman.
In 2007 Jessica Alba got in hot water with the culture cops after the third-generation Mexican-American - who also is part Dominican - appeared to downplay her ethnicity in an interview for a Spanish-language magazine.
Alba is my last name and Im proud of that the actress told the publication Para Todos.
But thats it. My grandparents were born in California the same as my parents and though I may be proud of my last name Im American.
Throughout my whole life Ive never felt connected to one particular race or heritage nor did I feel accepted by any. If you break it down Im less Latina than Cameron Diaz whose father is Cuban. But people dont call her Latina because shes blonde.
Latino bloggers went bonkers viciously attacking Alba for not being Latina enough - and more precisely not proud enough of being Latina.
These are just two high-profile examples of Latinos who have had their ethnicity challenged. There are no doubt hundreds of thousands of other stories from everyday people.
Inter-ethnic-group squabbling is nothing new. It was going on hundreds of years ago and itll probably be going on hundreds of years from now. At the beginning of the 21st century Latinos may be disappointed in liberals and angry with conservatives but they still save the sharpest barbs for one another.
Its a ridiculous waste of time and a distraction that Latinos cant afford right now.
These are tough times for Americas largest minority. Their numbers are growing but so is the anxiety that other Americans are feeling about the idea that the United States is becoming a Latino nation. In Alabama Arizona South Carolina and probably other states to come the resistance is digging in by passing anti-Latino laws disguised as immigration statutes.
Just when the nations 50 million Latinos should be feeling more empowered than ever many of them are feeling powerless and picked on. Just when our institutions - media government academia corporations etc. - should be embracing diversity many of them seem to be intent on preserving the status quo.
Against this backdrop Latinos need all the friends allies and partners they can find. So they cant afford to be at war with their own tribe.
Its time for a truce.
