Hispanic Heritage Month and Brown Fixation
Dispelling the most annoying stereotype Hispanic Heritage Month conjures
“Annette, look at her legs,” one of the adult women said to another while pointing at my little 9-year-old legs.
“Oh, you f***in’ b***h,” Annette said to me, “You don’t ever have to worry about wearing pantyhose!”
I looked down at my legs, confused. I did not understand how my short, hairy legs, which my mom said I was too young to shave, could inspire envy.
Fast forward another five or so years to some random high school at a Speech and Debate tournament. A red-haired, fair-skinned friend of mine spiraled into a panic — she had forgotten to pack her pantyhose!!
I didn’t get it. I said, “Well I don’t have pantyhose either.”
Another friend said, “Yeah but you’re naturally darker than she is.”
“So?” I replied.
“She doesn’t want to glow in the dark.”
Having been around mostly Hispanic people my whole life up to that point, including my large extended family and my hometown, I truly had no idea why anyone with white skin would feel insecure about having pale legs.
