First off, I identify myself as a Portuguese-American, and like any human being, I have a set of experiences that makes me unique to all other beings. Therefore, I do not claim to be an authority on the Portuguese people, on Portuguese immigrants to the United States, or on anything really for that matter. This is merely a reflection on being called “white” and not liking how it made me feel.
Now, let’s get to the heart of the matter. I’ve had a few conversations with family members about our ethnicity, race, and whatever other socially constructed labels society so desperately tries to impose upon people of particular origins or perceived similarities. While we don’t agree on everything, we pretty much come to a consensus that we’re not “white”.
Because, being “white” comes with its own set of privileges, doesn’t it? So, if I’m “white”, like that colleague of mine so matter-of-factly stated the other night, then why were my parents forced to assimilate to American culture when they arrived in the U.S.? Why were they ridiculed by their classmates for having “non-white” names? Why did my predominantly first-gen high school operate on a “just go to any college” mentality versus a “go to an Ivy” mentality? I know one thing is for certain, the way I interpret my experience certainly does not make me comfortable classifying it as “white”.
Now, let me state that I do agree with one aspect of my colleague’s comments. I may, to some, be perceived as “white”. This has undoubtedly afforded me privileges that I am unaware of. In other words, I may not be profiled or experience discrimination because of a perception that I am “white”. On the other hand, however, I’ve experienced the opposite as well; an assumption that I am Latino. Which, I’m sure has led to people making opposite assumptions.
This first started when I moved to South Texas. People began correcting my last name to “Duarté” (emphasis on the e), which would be the Spanish pronunciation of my name. While my name has Spanish origins, I got tired of explaining to people that I am of Portuguese descent, and we don’t pronounce the “é” so dramatically, therefore my name sounds more like “Du-art”. I gave in, and I need to stop doing that.
At the end of the day, Portuguese is an ethnic-minority in the United States. Therefore, while we may have been able to easily assimilate to American culture due to a presumption that we are “white”, we are not always afforded that privilege. I’m not saying I want it, either, but what I would like is for people to stop erasing my cultural identity by trying to apply a label to “what” I am. I’m Portuguese, and I’m damn proud of it.
closetheachievementgap 