Member-only story
Kindly Stop Assuming I’m Latina
Or Indian. Or anything, really.
I was at a luncheon today–one that was hosted to celebrate one of the nonprofits I support. Their mission is to provide support and resources for immigrants to get settled into our community. I have been an active volunteer and a donor for the past year.
When I arrived at the event, an older (white) man made eye contact as I set my purse on my chair. He headed over to me, extended his hand and offered a well spoken greeting.
In Spanish.
I speak Spanish (very poorly), but I am by no means fluent. I understood everything he said, but I was so taken aback that he started things out in this way that I just stared at him for a moment. I’m not sure if the look of shock I gave him was appropriately conveyed, but I shook his hand and responded, “I’m Eunice. Nice to meet you.”
He mentioned that he was there because his wife is one of the volunteers with the organization, and as he pointed her out to me, she looked vaguely familiar. I nodded and waved at her as he turned back and said to me, “And how about you? Are you one of the immigrants?”
It was at that moment that my shock turned to rage and my blood began to boil. I politely looked at him and said, “No, I’m actually a donor to the organization. I give both my time…
