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: Angélica María Tirado
Age: 29

Location: El Paso, Texas

Profession: Education (Teacher and Softball Coach)

Roots: Mexican-American

Languages: English and Spanish

What does it mean to you to be Latina?

Being Latina means to me that I encompass pride for my family, and myself, love of culture, and a desire to see my people achieve. One of the main reasons that I love teaching in El Paso, where 99% of my students are Mexican and Mexican-American, is that I can instill in them the love for their heritage and the desire to fulfill their dreams.

What is your biggest criticism of Latinos in the U.S., if any?

As a people, I feel that we are afraid of forward movement. We are afraid to be active in our communities, run for office, and lobby for change on the political front. We also still hold onto old fashion values that are not conducive to the 21st century. In this technologically advanced society, we need to promote higher education for our people, both men and women, and understand that education does not take away from our cultural ties, but adds to them.

In your opinion, are Latinos united or divided as a group? Why?

Politically, we are divided as a group because we have bought into the propaganda that has been fed to us by those in power. As long as we see ourselves as being different we cannot fully meet our potential. Since our population is increasing, I predict more political propaganda to separate us in order for us not to gain the political power afford us by sheer numbers.

Politics: I would cosider myself on middle ground. I am conservation on some fronts, but tend to lean on the left.

Have you ever experienced racism in your life? Can you give an example?

I think it would be extremely difficult for a person of color to grow up in the U.S. and not experience racism. We encounter it every day in our American systems. On a more personal fornt, I have encountered it several times. As a light-skinned Mexicana without an accent, people who are not of color often mis-identify me as being White. I remember an incident that occurred while I was in college in Stockton, CA. After the death of my father, my mother and I were looking for a smaller house to rent closer to campus. I met with the owner of cute two bedroom home a few blocks away from campus. We made a verbal agreement on the rental and agreed to meet back up the following day to complete the paperwork. The next day, I arrived with my mother. My mother was from Sinaloa, Mexico and spoke little English. As I introduced her to the future landlord, I began to translate. His faced changed dramatically and even took a step away from us! He made up a story about the paperwork not being ready, even though he was holding it in a manila envelope. He had his wife call us the next day with a story about them forgetting that they had already agreed to rent it to a friend of the family. I drove by two weeks later and the FOR RENT sign was still up.

What are you most proud of?

I am most proud of my parents, especially my mohter. As a child she suffered a terrible accident which took her out of school in the second grade. Nevertheless, she instilled in me the importance of education as well as the work ethic and desire to achieve. Today I hold a Master’s Degree in Education Administration which I owe in great part to her. If she were still alive, I know she would be proud of me.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I see myself in education, as an administrator so that I may have more impact on change. I also hope to have started my own family in order to pass on our rich traditions down to the next generation.

Person you would most love to meet:

My first child.

What are you doing this weekend?

WORKING!!!! That’s the life of a coach!