VivirLatino

i read a quote from her in a magazine (us weekly, so who knows how credible) something like george lopez went up to her dad and started speaking spanish and her dad said "i'm sorry i don't speak mexican" and that she was embarrassed.

i wonder if this will mean magazines like Latina and Hispanic stop featuring her? probably not, all it takes is a great-great grandma and/or a spanish surname to get on the cover of that. let's not forget, latina magazine put mariah carey on the cover.

First of all, if you read carefully, she's not saying anything negative about Latin people or culture. She's just being honest about her own experience in this country. She considers herself more of an American, and there's nothing wrong with that.

It's not her fault her family raised her a certain way. And her mom's white, by the way. You know, you're coming across as hypocritical because you're blogging about immigrant rights and talking about how Americans don't accept Latinos. And you want Americans to accept you on your Latinos the way they are. Yet, you and the Latin community can't accept Alba because she's not like most Latinos. It's very hypocritical. I hope you can see that. Please practice what you preach.

Mariah Carey's Father is Venezuelen.
Her comments about mexicans having a bunch of kids could be construed as negative because she herself states that she does not associate herself with the mexican culture, so when she made that comment it was as a put down, not as an honest observation or even as a silly "oh us mexicans have lots of babies". Whatever, she's got more than just mexican american identity issues. she used to be anorexic, she hates herself. and she is VERY stupid

Yea, I don't like self depricating people!

It would be one thing for her to say that she doesn't identify with the Latino culture but that's not what she said. Instead, she relied on old stereotypes of super fertile Latinas. So I don't think we're being hypocritical. If anything she is, after all she had no problem presenting at the ALMA awards a few weeks back. You cannot be Latino when its convenient.

Mariah Carey is just like Alba; Carey doesn't speak a word of Spanish. And nobody ever said that Alba is the smartest person in this country. She's an actress, for cryong out loud.

Maegan,

I agree that her comments about Latinas were insensitive. But, you know what, she's right. Like it or not, Hispanic women in this country have, on average, more children than Whites. And I think that's a problem that needs to be addressed. I know you and others may not like to hear it, but it's true. Latinas who live in poverty shouldn't be having more and more children. The Latino culture of poverty in this country is very sad. You could argue that it's because of discrimination, but the point is: we shouldn't pretend like it's not a problem. Alba didn't lie; she only spoke the truth.

I also love how the Hispanic media is hounding Alba, and they don't get outraged with others. For example, Cuban-American actor, Raul Esparza, has made negative comments about Mexicans. But no one seems to care. Sure, he accepts his Latino roots, but he's also said that he's a White Latino who doesn't seem to care much for non-white Latinos.

I also love how Hispanic-Americans in this country are so proud of their Latin roots. However, people in Latin countries aren't as supportive as you would think. This topic was touched upon in the movie Selena. Hispanic-Americans are usually seen as too Americanized for REAL Latinos in Latin America but too Latino for the White Americans. The truth is, many (real) Mexicans look down on Chicanos/Mexican-Americans, and the same probably holds true for other nationality. Maybe we should stop bashing fellow Hispanic-Americans, and start addressing the real problems.

THE TRUTH IS THAT ALL THE MEXICAN WOMAN YES HAVE MANY CHILDREN BUT AT LEAST THEY TAKE CARE OF THEM THEIR SELF. BUT THE WHITE WOMAN HAVE ONE CHILDREN AND THE HAVE THE WELFARE OR FOOD STAMPS TO TAKE CARE OF THAT CHILD. AT LEAST WE MEXICANS KNOW HOW TO WORK AND HELP OTHERS IN NEED.ALL OF YOU HOW AVE MEXICAN ROOTS SHOULD BE ASHAME OF YOUR SELF.WHAT IS "SHE ONLY SPOKE THE TRUTH" WHAT IS THE TRUTH LATIN VOICE??? ITS LIKE YOU SAID
She's an actress, for cryong out loud.
SHE DOES NOT CARE WHAT POPS OUT OF HER MOUTH.SHE SHOULD THINK WHAT SHE SAYS BEFORE OPENING HER BIG MEXICAN MOUTH. EVEN IF SHE DOESNT LIKE IT SHE HAS MEXICAN ROOTS.

Veronica,

1. The truth is that Hispanic women have, on average, more children than White women.

2. The truth is that more Hispanics are born into poverty than Whites.

3. The truth is that many Hispanics (certainly most Mexicans) are Catholic, and the Catholic church doesn't allow many forms of birth control.

I could go on and list more truths. But, you know what, being a Mexican is an ethnicity. It's not a race. Mexicans can be of any race. So, I don't understand why everyone is going crazy over her comments. She consdiers herself more of an American. She never said anything about her race.

Also, you should consider that Americans, Canadians, and people from other nations help others in need. Mexicans aren't the only ones. Actually, Mexican officials have been known to violate the human rights of indigenous people in their country and the rights of Central Americans, too. Mexicans aren't as perfect as you think they are.

Well she really has to face it like it or not she will never break from her roots.Even thogh she thinks she is a mutt, she still is MEXICAN.If it wasnt for her grandad or who ever crossed the RIO GRANDE,illegally or legally, she would never have been who she is now.

You can't blame her for being embarrassed to be 1/2 Mexican.

Okay I understand that her grandfather was “scared” to be Mexican because things were different back then but c’mon, what year is it? She should really not be a SELF hater and be proud. If she is going to PRETEND she is white then she has NO RIGHT to talk about Mexicans the way she does (ie.” Mexicans pop out tons of children…” or whatever). She has no right to be at the ALMA awards because that’s for real LATINOS and she should change her “SPANISH” last name…then bleach her skin like Michael Jackson so that MAYBE…people won’t confuse her for a “Latina”. She's a stupid pathetic wannabe. She can't act for shit. She can just go to hell with her FAKE self. Oh yeah and MARK COHEN she is not HALF Mexican, thanks

Who would want to be even 1/2 Mexican??? Nobody, that's who.

wow, there's a lot of racist commentary here. latino's we, wow what can I say can be of any race and I consider her latina no matter what she says

eat my shorts you racist bastard!! im 1/2 mexican and dam proud of it you stupid cunt!

Why are you proud of being hispanic? What have you people accomplished? OK, you did invent the modern street gang... I'll give you credit for that. You also are probably the best at spraying graffiti.

So what Mariah Carey or Jessica Alba don't speak Spanish. Mariah was raised by her white mother and Jessica's grandparents chose to assimilate into white society be it right or work she is still a latina. My ancestry is Cuban and Puerto Rican and I don't speak a word of Spanish it does not make less Cuban or Puerto Rican. I am a social worker let's not talk about who is on welfare that was an assinine statement because there is alot of everyone on welfare not just white, black or hispanic. Just like anyone else there is many shades to this rainbow and that comes with many different ways we were raised.

Well, we hispanics have done nothing! Just have produced the MAJORITY of Miss Universes have about a dozen a list stars (not the crappy Alba) like Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin, even Christina Aguilera (who is proud of her ecuadorian roots)!!! I hate racist people!! Screw you Marky dork!!!!!1+

Being born with Latino genes is NOT an accomplishment. Accomplishments are things like graduating from medical school or starting up a successful business. Accomplishments are discovering cures for diseases or inventing things like airplanes and computers. Losers who dwell on race will get nowhere in life. If all you have to be proud of in life is being Latino, then you are a sorry person.

I am Jewish and Jews are responsible for most of the great scientific acheivements (medical too). We are the best, that's all there is to it.

Mark,I can tell you're an EXTREMLY insecure soul. Your self esteem must be plummeting by the second, judging from the hateful things you write. Fortunatley, as a strong, educated, Mexican- American woman,I can say to you that you are in my prayers. I see hope, since you feel compelled to log on to a site like VIVIR LATINO, which transalates into living Latino, (how ironic, you're on it, which theoretically means YOU ARE Living Latino :>)Shalom, my brotha'.

Nice. Jessica “tortilla face” Alba strikes again.

Latinas are gorgeous–unfortunately those blue contacts and blond hair in the fabulous five movie make her look ugly. Repeat after me Jessica-- I'm not Swedish.

Mark, you are obviously a very sad teenager or a mentally challenged or disturbed adult still living with your parents.
I feel sorry for you but let me teach you this: if you say racist about others--it just opens other losers to say racist things about you. Its a big ball of stupidity.
Okay? "Mark "Burn in the oven" "Camel nose" Cohen

The above is just an example, I don't really think anyone should be singled out because of the way they look.

To Marc Cohen: And you still don't have your own country. Too chicken to fight for one yourselves. Parasites.

Mexicans don't assimilate like other immigrants. Other immigrants came to this country to become Americans and make a better life for themselves. Mexicans come here to be Mexicans in America. I don't blame her for her comments one bit. I live in Chicago and feel that Mexicans are the ignorant to American culture, extremely messy, fat and raise their children to be just like them.

extremely messy, fat and raise their children to be just like them.
_______________________________________________

That sounds like being American to me BB- have you ever read the study about how Mexican immigrants' health decreases the longer they are in the U.S.? Why? How ironic that you metion being fat when A) the U.S. is one of the most obese nations in the world and B) while the U.S. is "invaded" by Mexicans, Mexico is being invaded by all of the processed, unhealthy U.S. crap through free trade- children in Chiapas are now dying from drinking Coke, cup-o-noodles and doritos because they are cheaper than real food. :( While there are many chubby Mexicans (by the way, seen as being "healthy" by many poorer Mexicans), you CERTAINLY will NEVER see size XXL and XXXL in Mexico- It still shocks me to this day how many American men and women run around looking for these sizes, especially while living so comfortably in the U.S.

All I will say about this topic in response to ALL of these comments is this: You cannot generalize Mexican-Americans. We have all had different experiences and if Alba's dad wanted to "de-mexicanize" himself, so let it be...that supposedly has been "integration" and "assimilation" in his eyes and many other's eyes, just like many Jewish, Polish, etc...who changed their names. Unfortunately, that means carrying complexes and having voids in your life...sad for Alba, she seems to have an identity crisis.

My father is a third generation American of Mexican descent- we are all college educated people, but I don't see that as "rare," we have moved up the ladder like many other immigrant groups. We also have many children because FAMILY is primary in our culture- I don't see that as being a negative thing. That is actually something being lost in this country...we count with a great family network and grew up with family all around us, which I attribute to our success. No loneliness, isolation, parent problems, and drug problems like many young Americans have unfortunately fallen into...

My family never shed its roots. We are bilingual, to the point that I speak English and Spanish without accents, and I confuse people as to where I am from. I feel very comfortable in Mexico- however, I like MANY Mexican-Americans, know who I am- an American. I vote yearly, as do all of my family members and like my Mexican-American friends. I was taught to be proud of my roots but to be proud of being AMerican as well. These so called "studies" and information roaming around the net are pure and utter exaggerated BULLSHIT. That has more to do with the stigma this country has held for over more than a century towards Mexico and Mexicans than with anything else. That there are problems, YES, that the problems are exaggerated, HELL YES.

Another issue is my dislike for the term "latina" when discussing politics, especially after reading Latin Dude's comments up above- note, I feel hermandad to all Latin Americans/U.S. born latinos, but the term homogenizes the different experiences of three groups in this country and I find it unfair to do so. I truly enjoy listening and learning about cultural development with these groups, but, for exmaple, Cuban-Americans and Mexican-Americans have WAY different relations to the U.S. and experiences. I do NOT relate to anything going on in Miami for that matter, so a "latino" speaking on MY BEHALF is unfair and wrong since this individual does not know what I feel or what I have experienced. I actually feel more in common with my Brazilian husband, a southerner who grew up eating steaks and listening to German polka-inspired music like I did. ;)

All in all, the history of Mexican-Americans in this country is skewed, as is the immigration issue- decades of labor recruitment and use of poorer Mexicans to fill manual labor needs is totally IGNORED as to being a part of the current problem with immigration....convenient. Isn't it ironic how most of us had great-grandparents and grandparents imported for labor needs? Hmmm...we aren't cattle, and the consequences are being seen.

to the young Mexican-Americans out there reading these things- don't EVER be ashamed of who you are. Be proud, and educate yourself on the history of your peoples in this country. Participate in politics and make your voice be HEARD. It is very important to do so, and don't hate Jessica Alba, feel sorry for her, that she had to grow up denying her roots even though genetically she looks 100% Mexican-American, hehe.

Jessica is an American actress. I agree with her contention that it's not fair to call Cameron Diaz an American actress, and Jessica a Latina actress. They're both American actresses. Americans aren't just white. They're brown too. And if Jessica doesn't identify with Mexican/Latino culture, that's OK. She doesn't have to.

But where Jessica loses me when she spouts negative comments about Mexican people. The comments about her cousins spreading their seeds and popping them out was degrading and an attempt to distance herself from that side of the family. I can't believe she would talk about her own family that way, and to the media no less. She has no class.

Funny, she says that she has never felt accepted by any race, yet she doesn't say anything insulting about white people.

She has issues and it must suck when your inside doesn't match your outside. She's too dumb to see that she has a platform and that she can change stereotypes about Mexican origin people. Instead she's just trying to run from part of who she is. That never works because wherever you go, there you are. I feel sorry for her.

Mariah Carey dad is Venezuelen. Her mom is Black... Maybe her mom did not want her speaking spanish. Think about that. Alba sucks anyway. I'm not even Hispanic.

Latino/Hispanic isnt a race! Latino refers to people from latin american cultures. Hispanic refers to anyone whose fist language is spanish (therefore excludes Brazil and Portugal).
When white america refers to looking latino they mean usually someone whos Amer-Indian or part Amer-Indian. Mostly from Aztec and Mayan Stock. Many are Mestizo (part european and part amer-indian). Mainly though its a european face that refers to a white person.
Many Latinos are European, many are african but most are Amer-Indian or Mestizo. Therefore those should be the proper classifications, Alba is Mestizo(mixed race). Aguilera is of european origin. Puerto Ricans like rosie perez are part black, white and amer-indian.
Latino is not a race!
Hispanic is not a race!

I AM MEXICAN-AMERICAN
I UNDERSTAND HER POINT OF NOT NAMING HER SELF LATINA. I JUST DID NOT LIKE THE WAY SHE SAID IT, SHE WAS NOT RAISED LIKE ONE.
THERE IS A MISTAKE HISPANIC PARENTS ARE STILL MAKING, THEY THINK BY STOPPING SPEAKING SPANISH TO THEIR KIDS, THEY WILL ASSIMILATE BETTER TO THE AMERICAN CULTURE. IN MY OPINION, THEY ARE WRONG.

Mark Cohen, I thought the Germans were responsible for most of the technological advances? You know about Germans don't you? lol They are a great race of people especially those from the 1940's.

Jessica Alba, I feel is simply ducking her ethnicity because its the simple thing to do with all the politics of immigration in the air these days. I won't hate on her I just won't see her movies or support her career. I'll take the words of the dumbest president ever, "if you ain't with us, you're against us".

Jessica Alba will never pass for white in any sence of the word. Eventhough her mother is white, her latin looks shine through. Hollywood praises her for her "exotic look", the word exotic in hollywood, basically means not white. So even in Hollywood, she's being embraced as different. I find it really hard to believe that she didn't have much of an oppurtunity to learn spanish, because she grew up in California almost half of the population of California have roots in Latin America. The spanish language is very well represented in California and can be seen spoken throughout the state. To say that she is proud of her heritage is lying, for she had almost every oppurtunity to learn and embrace her culture, but she did not.

I was first enraged when I read her comments. I thought, HOW IGNORANT can she be? Wow, she's so uneducated...She really IS Mexican (some might say). I'm so embarrassed for her. She looks foolish and pathetic. First, Hispanics do have lots of children but so do other racial groups outside the United States, EVEN WESTERN EUROPEANS! It's Americans that limit their kids to an average of 2. Second, like it or not, she's brown. No matter how much she thinks she has "cut loose" from her heritage, her brown skin gives the fact away that she's not of white decent. As my grandmother says "tiene Nopal" ('she has a cactus on her forhead')

Nothing she said was stating that she identifies more as an American. Everything she stated was very racist and self hating. I personally Identify myself more as an American, and I'm 1st generation Mexican American! HOWEVER, I will never deny, forget, or hide where my family came from.

If she wants to cut all ties to her ethnic background, so be it. I couldn't care less, it's probably for the best. But don't go around announcing your hateful stereotypes and feed the angry fire of hate and discrimination that some people already have burning inside them (like Mark Cohen).

As for Mark Cohen, Hispanics have accomplished lots. Being that Hispanics are a mix of indian (Mayan, Aztec, Inca..etc) and Spanish, they have accomplished a lot! If it wasn't for our Spanish ancestors, you wouldn't be here in the new world. You'd be selling Falafels in Israel. Aztecs were the first group of people to master Mathematics, they were the first to keep EXACT time via the sun, kept the first calander year, and built the most powerful empire in the world with the most gold and beautiful pyramids. Like any people group, we have done a lot in the past and the present.

I don't hate Jessica. I just feel really bad for her and her family that live in another world. I'm honestly embarrassed for her. They all need help and this is coming from a Psychologist...I know what I'm talking about.

She's not a Mexican you ignorant jerks. Just like John Travolta isn't Italian. Dwight D Eisenhower wasn't German, he was an American. That is their heritage, but they were Americans born and bred in the USA. She wasn't born in Mexico and doesn't even speak Spanish, so she's not Mexican. Her parents weren't Mexican. Her grandparents weren't Mexican. Do you get it now? Dolts.

Should Americans of Scottish descent have to walk around in kilts and play bagpipes and consider themselves to be Scottish? Should Americans of Irish descent have to eat potatoes everyday and keep telling people they are Irish? Should Americans of Italian descent have to speak Italian and eat pasta all the time? So why is Jessica Alba supposed to "act" like a Latina and push her heritage? She just wants to be a regular American. I see nothing wrong with that.

You fools need to get a grip and stop being so worried about race and ethnicity.

Rob,
What you are saying makes sense in a more perfect world; unfortunately we don’t live in one. We Americans are still unable to just call ourselves Americans, and a lot of that simply has to do with the Anglo-Saxon roots of our country, trust me, I have a degree in US History. Almost everything that is good and wonderful in the United States has to be painted a shade of white, if it’s not, at the very least it’s pushed off to the side.

Whereas I do not condone Ms. Alba’s comments, if they are indeed hers, considering the history of our country, they are understandable and by no means unique in the immigrant experience. A perfect example that most of you may be familiar with was the Kevin Kostner movie “Untouchables”.

The character that was played by Andy Garcia (George Stone) was an Italian immigrant who chose to adopt an English last name because of the rampant bigotry directed towards Italian immigrants during that time period; Italian immigrants were simply too swarthy, too Latin, and too Catholic for the tastes of the Anglo-Saxon population (sounds familiar?) I could also say that Italian women popped out too many babies, even though most lived in abject poverty and on, and on …

Mark, I am not even going to get into some of things that were said about Jews, and in some quarters are still being stated although in a more circumspect manner; you should ashamed of some of the comments that you made.

The bottom line is that even now, in the 21st Century, the average American almost invariably will tell any new person that he or she meets his entire ethnic/racial history. That is because we, as Americans, never allow ourselves to forget it, and most people will ascribe to whoever they meet, the least desirable ethnicity. Why is Barak Obama more black than white for example? He is 50/50 is he not?

So, everyone please take a deep breath. Ms. Alba is likely not a bad person, it’s also quite possible that she was taken out of context. Besides, which one of you out there is without sin on this issue? I know that I am not.

I am not white, but I consider myself an American. I am not proud or ashamed of my race or ethnicity, it's just who I am. I am proud of my accomplishments, not my race. If somebody has a problem with the color of my skin, that is their problem, not mine.

Im mexican but my ancestors are black and i dont got nothing bad to say about them..i know that mariah carey dont talk spanish because she feel she hekka white when she isnt...and for jessica alba she should be proud of being part mexican and i wanna tell her that so what if we mexicans have alot of kids at least we have them when we are young and we dont care if we destroy our figure or not and atleast we get to see our grandchildren and not when we like 80 and abour to die!!!!!!!!!!

she mexican and she said in one of of the magzines i read...that shes proud to be mexican and she also said that she was not accepted in the america community or in the latin community..but she still latin and she was in 2nd person for sexiest latina in the world on E! channel..but i'm proud to say shes latina because everyone thinks shes white..her mother is french not white and danish...so all those people that say shes white shes not...!!! ..she mit be america to everyone else but to me she is latina..i love jessica alba..holla!!!!

I for one du kare dat she doesnt like her mexican ansestry how cum shes ok wit her moms wite race but not wit the colored one its ok dat she considers herself american but after dat keep her pie hole shut and don tak about no rase and its true she don like her skin color but sorry dats the way it is i wouldnt change it for da world VIVAN LOS NOPALEZ LOL

Hi all, well amazingly I agree with everyone here!Everyone is right in their own way.

I am as most of you seem 50/50 mex-american. I feel so confused sometimes, and I guess we all do...what are we really supposed to be proud of? and why?
I am thankfull to all the latinos out in the world who are making a good name for us, that really matters to me. Let it be the skin that show their roots, the last name, or the place of bith (a latin american country, or of latin desent).
You can deny your roots but truths always come out, we all here know better.
Even when Jessica seems she would rather be white, the celebrity status she will always receive is of mexican backround (mexican-american, hispanic, latina etc)case closed! =o)

OK--in italy we know that the Americas had and are having a huge holocaust that doesn't get in the history books---the Spaniards slaughtered millions of natives and when they couldn't work the gold mines from being under fed and tortured the Spaniards brought blacks to do the dirty work--hence the black population of the South and the West indies----The hispanics are still to this day treating the indigenous as third class citizens.
i think there should be some shame along with all this hispanic pride we read about. Also some restitution made to the blacks and the indigenous by all the Americas---and the Indian holocaust should be put in ALL the history books---
read about the Taino Indians and the coming of Christopher Columbus

To Mark Cohen who said:

"You can't blame her for being embarrassed to be 1/2 Mexican."
and
"Who would want to be even 1/2 Mexican??? Nobody, that's who."

This coming from a Jew, flat-out THE most hated race/ethnicity in the history of the world for being parasites. God forbid anyone says anything about illegal Israel, then you're an anti-semite. Good going there, Cohen. Way to reinforce the stereotype of hateful, racist, and parasitic Jews.

You are all idiots. It's AMERICA..BE AMERICAN. I have grandparents that came from Europe but I dont care to be anything except AMERICAN. I would only consider African Americans to be those people from Africa,not their parents or grandparents..or so on. I see fat Mexicans all the time don't kid yourself. Your food is loaded with lard.If Alba doesnt want to be anything but American leave her be. As for only being latino when it suits her..heck the blacks do that all the time. Oprah is only voting for B.O becuase hes black, After all she said it right on tv..About time we finally got "one of our own".If you were born here in AMERICA you are American. Forget the mumbo jumbo crap..my ancestors came from mexico..africa or whereever.

All jews are not hated. If you hate people because of their religion or race then you are a MORON. Thats like saying the blacks are the laziest,money mooching people ever or the mexicans are nothing but a bunch of people invading another country illegaly and whining about how dare the US try to keep them out or pass laws to stop the ILLEGAL invasion. Not everyone in a group is bad. Oh by the ways JEWS do have a country called Isreal...read more than the liberal press and you will find out the TRUTH!

What are you Sherry? An arrogant American ignorant BITCH?
I am Mexican and French,but people think I am white. I am damned if I let you talk that way about my Country.I was born in Mexico,to a Mexican mother and a French father.And she is not fat at all. The only reason my fellow Mexicans are crossing the border illegaly is because U fukin gringos took our Mexican Cession in the 1840's.well you prabably would not Know that because youre a dumb ass, and prabably did not listen in History class.

Our country is sad....seriously. We don't band together. We're to busy fighting and arguing with each other over race, over where our ancestors came from. When the truth for most of us is that if we went back to where our ancestors came from, we probably wouldn't fit in. I'm an american of portuguese descent. I'm proud of my portuguese heritage but I am american first. My great grand parents came here for a better life for their families. I am thankful to them for that.

But it's no surprise that we seperate ourselves. Our own government seperates us by race from the first day we enter school. Your parents get a paper to fill out to state your race. You can't even apply for a job without getting a form to check your race. I even got one when I bought my house.

Jessica Alba has the right to choose the language she wants to speak. People who have Spanish-origin last names and their descendants are not obligated to speak that language.

It is wrong to think that we are all one people, when we are in reality several ethnicities and races.

WE ARE NOT HISPANIC

Hispanic means people from Hispania (Spain and Portugal)

The truth is that people have the right to choose their own identity. Most of Latin American people -especially Mexicans, Central and South Americans- are Indigenous/Native people and Afro descendants. The US government and the media keeps trying to push an European identity on us, and that is not who we are.

It is who some of us are. There are Latinos/Hispanics of mainly or entirely European descent, and if anything the American image of a Latino is of an indigenous person and not of someone who may "look like a gringo". Though I do agree that we have the right to choose our identities.

i agree with how she feels, i am from latin decent, and i accept my culture, but i am also american and i was raised here in the states. so i grew up a different way from my cousins too. my race doesn't define who i am, i do. so if i want a different lifestyle than my relatives for my family, i shouldn't be looked at like i am abandoning my culture. you just can't escape prejudice.

Rob, you don't get it. If someone has a problem with your skin color, it sure is your problem if you're denied a job, made to sit in the back of a bus, denied a lease or mortgage, denied access to a restaurant, etc...

People develop pride in their culture as a response to discrimination. Oh, that's right, you probably think that doesn't exist.

Oh, and you're an asshole.

I honestly believe the entire thing was taken out of context. I feel she's prould of being Latino, but considers herself to be an American. I'm black, native american, and italian, but I grew up speaking English and Spanish. I identify myself as an Amerian. I don't affiliate myself with any certain ethnic group. This is actually what she said:

"I've got cousins galore. Mexicans just spread all their seeds. And the women just pop them out. My grandfather was the only Mexican at his college, the only Hispanic person at work and the only one at the all-white country club. He tried to forget his Mexican roots, because he never wanted his kids to be made to feel different in America. He and my grandmother didn't speak Spanish to their children. Now, as a third-generation American, I feel as if I have finally cut loose. My whole life, when I was growing up, not one race has ever accepted me, ... So I never felt connected or attached to any race specifically. I had a very American upbringing, I feel American, and I don't speak Spanish. So, to say that I'm a Latin actress, OK, but it's not fitting; it would be insincere. My grandfather was the only one in our family to go to college. He made a choice not to speak Spanish in the house. He didn't want his kids to be different. [Before] I always felt like such an outcast and now I feel like people are more diverse ethnically. I was always [self-conscious] of my puffy lips and darker skin when I was a kid, because I felt like I didn't fit in. And now its mainstream, and color isn't as big of a deal and if anything, it's better"

This was reported recently:

"Alba, who never learned Spanish as a child, reportedly began mastering the language during her pregnancy, with the intention of speaking only Spanish to her child once he or she is born."

well i dont speak any itlian and i understand what she is say because my family have poped out alot of kids and i dont even speak the language which i find disapointing.. so i do know where she is coming from and she wasnt being negative in anyway in my eyes

sorry ive got itlain in me! sorry i didnt add that in!!

thank god someone made sense out of what she said even though i understood it..
I too went to school and didnt fit in ppl are jugemental and on that fact if you didnt speak the your meant to know your jugde for that too so how are you meant to make everyone happy miss alba is disappointed in the fact she doesnt know her language and as i am and she is trying to teach her future child is a way of making sure that they can live through life with out that passing jugdement. Give the women a break and try to understand instead of passing jugdement!!

I think her grandfather was wrong for trying to hide his background. I think it's sad. You should always accept your background and try to preserve it and try to make sure that it isn't lost. That's why my mom pressures me so much to learn Khmer. But i'm also a latina,I'm half Afro cuben, But since my dad left me since i was little, I really don't no nothing about the latin community. I was raised by the black community though. I'm easily mistaken for being Hispanic and black.
Yea I feel her though, i'm not accepted in any community also i'm sorta of a outcast, but I like it dat way. I just know that i must not forget my cultural background, and just accpet who i am, even if they don't want me they just gotta deal wit it.

I am mexican american i was born in california but both parents are mexican.My dad use to be skinny until he came to the us and he is not illregal.Not all mexicans have alot fo children and not all mexicans are poor im not. I live in detroit and theirs alot of mexican. Overhere the mexican are the richest they have the most money. All the white people are poor or bums in the street. I have never seen a mexican bum.Well if jessica wants be be white let be white. But she should shut her mouth saying that we have lots of children that they just pop out of no where cuz they dont. If mexican want to have children let them. They work hard to make thgeir money atleast they work. They take any job they can get they dont camplane. My mother was a hard workin mexican and my father he always gave us what we wanted. Why? because he worked hard. Then americans comlpain that mexicans take their job well they dont they take jobs americans daont. Who picks their fruit vegtables and other foods. You never see a american with a job like that. WE Mexicans work hard we accomplish alot dont listen to mark cohen he just another stupid mexican hater. DONT HATE APpreciate. mexicans are just the smae as any other race we are not any better or any worst just because we cross the border and the us took most of our land alot so they are in our territory they are the ones who crossed our border. I work hard and i might even have a better job than you my american friend

Hey latino rhyme with Taino... Taino, name of the indigenous
people of Borikén,or Borinquen. In Borinquen lived to types of culture Tainos and Caribs together they raided and traded with the each other. The Caribs were the source of the gold which Columbus found in the possession of the Taíno; gold was not smelted by any of the insular Amerindians, but rather was obtained by trade.

The Caribs were skilled boatbuilders and sailors, and seem to have owed their dominance in the Caribbean basin to their mastery of the arts of war. Some where in the 15th century, the Taíno tribe was being driven to the Northeast in the Caribbean (out of what is now South America) because of raids by fierce Caribs. Regrouping in Borinquen the Taino out-number the Caribs.

The Taino had organized systems of religion and government. They believed in good and evil spirits, which could inhabit human bodies and natural objects. They sought to control these spirits through their priests or shamans.
The Taino's political system was hierarchical, in which the islands were broken up into groups, each island in turn was divided into provinces ruled by chiefs known as Kaciques. The provinces were allocated into districts ruled by a sub-chief and each village was ruled by a head-man

later in the 18th century, Taíno society had been devastated by introduced diseases The Taíno population estimates range all over, from a few hundred thousand up to 8,000,000. They were not immune to Old World diseases, notably smallpox. Many of them were worked to death in the mines and fields, put to death in harsh put-downs of revolts or committed suicide (throwing themselves out of the cliffs or consuming manioc) to escape their cruel new mastersSome of the words used by them such as barbacoa ("barbecue"), hamaca ("hammock"), canoa ("canoe"), tabaco ("tobacco"), yuca ("yucca"), and Huracan ("hurricane") Tatuaje(tattoo) have been incorporated into the Spanish and English languages.

This place Call Borikén,or Borinquen is now know as
Puerto Rico.. Thats why Puerto Ricans call themselves Boriqua

I came to know myself when I learn this things of the past.
And Latino does rhyme with Taino. Wonder Why!
Aim Proud of Me.
American/Hispanic/Latino/Puerto Rican/Boriqua

If she doesn't speak Spanish, she is not a true Latina and no one should care about her not being proud of her Latin roots to begin with. Be mad at her if she truly made those ignorant comments, but don't be mad at her for her not admitting she is of Latino descendency. That's just a waste of time. If you were her friend, yes, you could try to teach her Spanish and other things about our beautiful culture, but most, if not all, of us who are sending comments to this website are not. We need to take care of the Latinos who are proud and who have taken the time out to learn both Spanish and English. Those are the ones we should worry about in general and even cherish. The more we educate ourselves and accomplish things in this country in science, art, sports and all the other areas we have always contributed to, the more respect we will get from ourselves and others, including those who at 1st may not want to admit where their ancestors came from.

el derecho al respeto ajeno es la paz.

I can sort of understand where Jessica Alba is coming from. However, she did go overboard with the stereotypical comments about Mexican females/Chicanas in general. Stereotypes good and bad or generalizations are for the most part true but the way she said it and the words she used lead me to believe she is a bit ashamed of what she is. I am a 20 year old MexiCAN AmeriCAN chica and damn proud of it. I myself don't know Spanish and am not only judged by other Mexicans but by people of other ethnic backgrounds for it. I would never deny my roots or ancestry and wanna "break free" from my beautiful colored skin 'though. That is where Alba is truly lost and pathetic..pitiful.*