A Friday feature on VL, Word en la Calle lets everyday Latinos voice their thoughts and opinions on topics of interest to the community.

Name:
Jessica Meryl Ortiz

Age:
25

Location:
Rego Park, New York

Profession:
Pre-School Teacher

Roots:
Nuyorican born and raised in Queens, NYC. Mom and Dad from Puerto Rico (Mayaguez and Vega Baja, respectively).

Languages:
English. I understand Spanish but my spoken Spanish is choppy.

What does it mean to you to be Latino?
It’s about being part of a culture with a base in good food, music, and strong families.

Do you vote in local and national elections?
Yes

Do you think it’s important to support and vote for Latinos who are running for public office?
Only if I agree with them. If the candidate is going to represent not just Latinos but the needs of all communities then yeah, I’ll support them. But if I don’t agree with even one of their positions, they are not getting my vote.

In your opinion, are Latinos united or divided as a group?
I think Latinos like to think that we are united but God forbid you mistake someone’s nationality. People get all offended. I mean go ahead and call a Puerto Rican a Dominican and see the reaction.

Place in order. I am a _________ first, a ____________ second, a
__________ third. (Example: latina, woman, american)
I am a Latina first, a woman second, and a teacher third.

Politics: (Example:middle ground, far right, far left, etc.)
I don’t identify with any one political ideology.

Who have been or are your role models?
My mom. My older sister but especially my maternal grandmother. In Puerto Rico and here she was a poor stay at home mom who ended up raising some great people who in turn raised great people.

What’s your biggest wish /desire:
I want to finish school and eventually open up my own pre-school/day care center. I’m tired of working for other people. I want to be boss!

Person you would most love to meet:
Jesus Christ. I want to ask him if all the stuff in the Bible that people are pushing on us is true. Also I would love to be able to take a picture of him to end the debate once and for all and prove that Jesus was not blonde with blue eyes!

Favorite artist in any genre:
If I weren’t teaching I’d be dancing so I’d say Martha Graham

Favorite musical style:
Salsa! If you can rock the steps in Salsa and look good doing it then everything else is easy. The beat of salsa is off the hook.

What are you going to dress up as for Halloween?
A sexy goth fairy.

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