The Rising Trend: Latinx Individuals Embracing Diverse Heritage Beyond Spanish

Is there any commonality between Sen. Ted Cruz, Oscar-winning actor Ariana DeBose, and a perplexed child struggling to respond to questions on live television? Yes, they are all Latinos who have faced criticism regarding their Spanish-speaking abilities.

The issue frequently arises in online debates and even on the presidential primary stage. A recent study conducted by the Pew Research Center sheds light on the extensive reach of this issue.

According to the study, approximately half of non-Spanish speaking US Latinos have experienced shame due to their language skills. It highlights that 54% of Latinos who only have limited knowledge of Spanish have been made to feel bad by other Latinos for this reason.

Among younger Latinos, the prevalence of this experience is higher. According to the study, 57% of individuals aged 18-49, who stated that they could converse in Spanish only "a little" or "not at all," reported being subjected to shame by other Latinos for their limited Spanish proficiency. Conversely, only 44% of those aged 50 and above had encountered such shame.

Interestingly, the study also revealed that over three quarters of Latinos believe that speaking Spanish is not a prerequisite for being recognized as Latino.

"Its this interesting set of tensions around what the role of Spanish is in Latinos lives," says Mark Hugo Lopez, director of race and ethnicity research at Pew.

Why do these tensions keep flaring?

According to Lopez, there is a gradual change in the percentage of Latinos who speak Spanish at home. While the majority still do, the Census Bureau's data shows that among younger Latinos, a larger portion speak only English. As a result, significant occurrences on TV and the internet often revive discussions on whether an individual meets the criteria of being "Latino enough," as highlighted in Pew's study. Language frequently becomes a crucial factor in these conversations.

During a 2016 debate, Sen. Marco Rubio criticized his Republican presidential primary rivals' language skills, specifically commenting on Sen. Cruz. Rubio questioned Cruz's ability to understand what was said on Univision since he doesn't speak Spanish. In response, Cruz fired back in Spanish, and the debate carried on.

• Last year, DeBose shared her insecurities about speaking Spanish in an interview with Lin-Manuel Miranda. Initially, she had reservations about taking on the role in the 2021s "West Side Story," which ultimately led to her winning an Oscar. "I'm not fluent in Spanish, and I used to believe that this made me somehow inadequate," DeBose revealed in a video featured in Vanity Fair. "There were moments when I questioned whether I represented my community well enough due to my limited language proficiency."

• In a more recent incident, a debate erupted online when a reporter attempted to interview a child outside SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, following Mexico's CONCACAF Gold Cup victory. Videos of the visibly perplexed child struggling to respond to a series of rapid fire Spanish questions quickly went viral. This sparked criticism towards the child's parents and the current generation's attitude towards language acquisition.

The Pew Research Center's latest report on Latinos' views on speaking Spanish mentions Sen. Ted Cruz and actor Ariana Debose.

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Theyre helping Latinos learn Spanish without shame

Upon witnessing the video making rounds on the internet, Jackie Rodriguez noticed a reflection of herself in the countenance of the young boy depicted therein.

Being present at the soccer match as well, she thoroughly enjoyed the abundance of happiness and the spirit of togetherness that prevailed. Nevertheless, had someone questioned her in Spanish about the specifics regarding the events that took place on the field, she admits she would have been at a loss for words.

"I can share my favorite player, who appears impressive, and the winner with you, but delving into the technical aspects is beyond my capabilities," she expresses.

According to Rodriguez, being humiliated for one's comprehension of Spanish, similar to the incident involving the child on broadcast and the internet, can leave a lasting influence.

"When you dwell on that, it's when those mental barriers begin to form. And the next time you wish to communicate in Spanish in public, that moment will come to mind," she explains.

For years, Rodriguez has been assisting others in confronting their uncertainties regarding speaking Spanish.

She is one of the co-founders of Spanish Sin Pena, an organization that creates a nurturing environment for Latinos to engage in the process of healing, practicing, and enjoying Spanish with a community who have similar experiences. The name "Spanish Sin Pena" translates to "without shame" in English. Spanish Sin Pena provides virtual language classes and discussion groups, as well as in-person travel opportunities for participants.

The co-founders of Spanish Sin Pena, Wendy Ramirez and Jackie Rodriguez, reveal that what initially began as a modest initiative has transformed into a thriving community of over 1,000 individuals who are enthusiastic about rekindling their connection with the Spanish language and providing mutual support.

The program initially began five years ago as coaching sessions for a small group of individuals. Over time, it has evolved into a thriving community consisting of over 1,000 people, as stated by Wendy Ramirez, another cofounder.

"Our program includes a diverse range of participants, from grandparents to expectant parents. We welcome individuals at various stages of life, including students and professionals," adds Rodriguez. "It's truly fascinating to witness the wide array of backgrounds and experiences within our community."

A significant number of individuals bond over their shared identity as children or grandchildren of immigrants, expressing a desire to improve their Spanish skills in order to foster stronger connections with their families.

A recent study by Pew, published this week, reveals that a majority of Latino individuals in the United States can speak Spanish, yet the percentage of speakers varies across generations. Approximately 70% of U.S.-born children of Latino immigrants claim to have the ability to hold a conversation in Spanish quite well. However, among subsequent generations with Latino immigrant ancestry, only 34% report the same proficiency.

We need to stop apologizing

The Pew report doesnt delve into the impact shaming over Spanish has in the lives of people who face it.

However, Dr. José Medina, with his extensive experience as a teacher, principal, and educational consultant, is well aware of this reality. Over the years, he has encountered numerous individuals who are facing difficulties. According to him, some individuals experience guilt for not being able to speak Spanish or for choosing not to have their children learn the language.

Many people are mocked when attempting to use Spanish or Spanglish during conversations.

Medina, who has gained a substantial social media following with his videos on Spanglish and dual language education, recently addressed these stories on TikTok. He attributed the difficulties many face in speaking Spanish to the education received in the US school systems.

"We must cease apologizing for the Spanish we speak, or even for not speaking it," he declared.

@josemedina1000 Let's put an end to apologizing for our use or lack of use of #Spanish! Our linguistic abilities are outstanding! #Spanglish #español #Mexican #Chicano #Pocho

♬ original sound - Dr. José Medina

His message sparked hundreds of responses. Among them:

"My ability to speak Spanish was suppressed from an early age, starting in kindergarten. We were made to feel embarrassed about our language."

"It fills me with dread to visit Mexico and have my family criticize the way I speak, treating me as if it's my fault that I am not fluent in it."

"I was bullied even in my own family for the wrong Spanish I spoke."

Responding to shame with a game

Carlos Torres, who grew up in California, had limited opportunities to converse in Spanish with his mother, who had immigrated to the US from Mexico. Throughout his childhood, his family, including his grandparents, consistently emphasized the importance of learning English, assimilating, and attending a higher-quality educational institution.

At the age of 31, he admits to often turning to his wife, who has a better command of Spanish, to seek answers to his questions. They soon realized that their experiences were common among their peers, leading them to develop "Yo Sabo The Game." This engaging game consists of cards that test players' knowledge of Spanish vocabulary while also encouraging them to reminisce about their childhood memories.

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The game's title, "no sabo kids," is a clever play on words and has gained popularity on TikTok through hilarious videos of Torres and his wife, Jessica Rosales, engaging people with the cards. These laughter-filled videos have earned the game millions of likes.

"Its a term that has been used to kind of tease people about their Spanish or single them out and try to make someone feel that theyre not Latino enough," Torres says.

Carlos Torres and Jessica Rosales have ingeniously crafted a game that aims to transform the shame experienced by many Latinos when struggling with the Spanish language into a rewarding chance for connection.

Torres and Rosales aim to challenge this notion and facilitate communication between families and friends by means of their game.

According to a study conducted by Pews, speaking Spanish is strongly associated with Latino identity for a significant number of individuals.

However, Torres notes that their game is unveiling a more intricate picture as well. He emphasizes that the amount of Spanish he or Jess knows is inconsequential. Rather, what matters is the striking resemblance in their childhood memories and experiences within Latino households.

And that, Torres says, should bring people together "rather than us putting each other down based on the amount of Spanish we know."