Why Indigenous People Want You to Stop Labeling Them as Latino | Odilia Romero | TEDxDelthorneWomen

Summary

The speaker shares their personal journey as an indigenous Zapotec woman from Oaxaca, Mexico. They recount their experience of cultural displacement upon moving to Los Angeles, encountering racism, and being labeled as Latina or Mexican, labels that don't reflect their indigenous identity. The speaker emphasizes the dangers of such labels and advocates for the recognition and respect of indigenous people, languages, and cultures. They highlight the impact of colonization, the importance of solidarity, and the need for collective awareness to protect indigenous rights and resources, stressing the interconnectedness of global struggles.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The speaker is from Oaxaca, Mexico, and grew up speaking Sapotec, one of over 60 variants of the language.
• 🏞️ The speaker's hometown is rich in natural beauty and tradition, with a strong sense of community and self-sufficiency.
• 👵 Raised by her grandmothers, the speaker experienced a deep connection to her indigenous culture and values.
• 🚫 The speaker faced cultural shock and racism upon moving to the United States, where she was labeled with various identities she didn't identify with.
• 🍽 The transition to American life was difficult, with the speaker noting the stark contrast between the food and lifestyle of her hometown and that of Los Angeles.
• 🏭 The speaker discusses the dangers of labeling indigenous people, emphasizing the diversity and richness of indigenous cultures and languages.
• 🗣️ She shares her experience as an interpreter and the negative impacts of assumptions about language and culture on indigenous people.
• 🌳 The speaker highlights the importance of recognizing and respecting the diversity of indigenous identities and languages.
• 🌐 She calls for solidarity and support from non-indigenous people to help protect the rights and cultures of indigenous communities.
• 💪 The speaker emphasizes the need for continued resistance and the importance of standing up against stereotypes and prejudices.

Q & A

What is the speaker's native language?

The speaker's native language is Sapotec, which is a language spoken in the highlands of Oaxaca, Mexico.

What is the significance of the speaker's hometown, San Bartolo Mesogocho?

San Bartolo Mesogocho is significant because it's where the speaker grew up, it was her community where they grew their own food, drank water directly from the mountain, and had a communal lifestyle.

Why did the speaker's grandparents refer to Los Angeles as 'the white man's land'?

The speaker's grandparents referred to Los Angeles as 'the white man's land' due to the deep colonization and lack of exposure to the outside world, which led to them not knowing English or Spanish and perceiving the place where the speaker's parents lived as foreign and dominated by white people.

What was the speaker's first experience with racism?

The speaker's first experience with racism was when she came to the United States and was labeled with various identities such as Oaxacan, Mexican, Latina, and Hispanic, which she refused to fit into.

Why did the speaker's grandparents send her to Los Angeles?

The speaker's grandparents sent her to Los Angeles to reunite with her parents after they discovered she had been sexually molested in their community.

What was the speaker's first impression of the cities she encountered after leaving her hometown?

The speaker's first impression of the cities she encountered was that they lacked trees, rivers, and birds, and that the food was terrible compared to what she was used to in her community.

Why is the label 'Latinidad' considered dangerous according to the speaker?

The label 'Latinidad' is considered dangerous because it attempts to categorize and erase the diverse indigenous identities, languages, and worldviews under one umbrella, which does not accurately represent the rich cultural diversity of indigenous peoples.

How many indigenous languages are spoken in Mexico besides Spanish?

There are 364 indigenous languages spoken in Mexico besides Spanish.

What is the connection between the speaker's personal story and the broader issues faced by indigenous peoples?

The speaker's personal story highlights the broader issues faced by indigenous peoples, such as the loss of cultural identity, displacement due to resource extraction, and the dangers of assuming all indigenous people speak Spanish, which can lead to misunderstandings and human rights violations.

What is the speaker's call to action for the audience?

The speaker calls on the audience to be uncomfortable when they encounter prejudice and racism, to not assume that all indigenous people speak Spanish or fit into labels like 'Latina' or 'Mexican,' and to support indigenous peoples' rights and liberation.

Why is it important for the speaker to emphasize her identity as an indigenous woman from Sogocho?

Emphasizing her identity as an indigenous woman from Sogocho is important for the speaker to create awareness of the existence of indigenous people and to resist the erasure of their identities by nation-states and dominant cultures.