BACKGROUND
Sex: female
Ethnicity:Latin
Born in:
Honduras
Parents born in: Honduras
Honduras
is made up mainly of "mestizos (Indian/Spanish mix).
However, there are other cultures within Honduras who are
often misunderstood. Along the Eastern Atlantic coast are
the Mosquitos, a small Indian group that makes their living
from the sea. On the North Coast are Garifunas, who first
arrived in Honduras in the 1700s as Black slaves. Although I
went most my childhood without meeting a Garifuna or
Mosquito, they were often talked about and ridiculed by my
fellow students. Looking back, the teachers did very little
to change these stereotypes. In fact, come would talk about
how they were slower learners or just not as capable as "the
rest of us".
In third or fourth grade, one of my teachers made a point of
punishing a student that was making fun of a Garifuna,
calling her "negra" and "estupida". Afterwards she made a
point of sharing with the students how we were all special,
had interesting backgrounds and should work together to make
Honduras better. I know this had an impact on me, but I
truly believe it positively affected the other students as
well.
Honduras
is made up mainly of "mestizos (Indian/Spanish mix).
However, there are other cultures within Honduras who are
often misunderstood. Along the Eastern Atlantic coast are
the Mosquitos, a small Indian group that makes their living
from the sea. On the North Coast are Garifunas, who first
arrived in Honduras in the 1700s as Black slaves. Although I
went most my childhood without meeting a Garifuna or
Mosquito, they were often talked about and ridiculed by my
fellow students. Looking back, the teachers did very little
to change these stereotypes. In fact, come would talk about
how they were slower learners or just not as capable as "the
rest of us".