Skin color and self perceptions of immigrant and U.S. born Latinos

For a class, I recently had to read an essay that discussed the negatives of us, Latinos/Hispanics having dark skin. The paper mentioned a lot of negatives, like for example, that Latinas tended to avoid college because they were too ashamed of thier skin color, they felt as if they were going to be misjudged. Research done showed that Latinas with darker skin have poorer self perceptions, than U.S. born peers, including lower self esteem, lower feelings of attractiveness, and an immense desire to change thier skin to be lighter. This piece also mentioned how dark skin colored Hispanics tend to live in segregated communities, earn less money, attain less education, have lower occupational prestige, and marry lower status partners. Latino children and teens also showed a higher level of depression and low self esteem and all because of the dark skin we as hispanics have. Even African Americans, according to this paper, have been accepted in society more than hispanics. So its it really that now our own ethnicity will become ashamed of the way we look?? Instead, shouldn't we be trying harder to prove to ourselves and to everyone, that we too are capable of becoming educated, and to succeed in life?? Yes this should always be our resolution.

I was rasied to not judge people by there skin color or to feel ashamed of my skin color. I am a dark skined hispanic and I never thought I would feel ashamed about my skin color. Now that I am in college and Im looking for a job I realized there is a part of me that is affraid to work in sorten placed bacause of my skin color and background. I try to face my fears by just walking into a office or resterant with light colored, city people and picking up a application. My fear always beats me at the end when I have to turn it in. Is there any advice you can give me?

Yoliy thank you for posting a reply to my post, it really means a lot that you are able to recognize and face your fears, and I want you to know that you are not the only one in today's society facing these types of obstacles. You mentioned that you are dark complected, and although I am not dark I too have come up to that same situation you have. The simple fact of knowing that I am Mexican makes me feel at times like if I am degraded among other ethnicities in our times. Our race is often seen as one of the lower ones and this is something one can not just ignore and act as if it is never thought of. Having English as a second language is also something that may at times make us feel like we are not good enough to be around those "Americans", but if we are determined, we can always find a solution to everything. In my case, I try as much as I can not to let myself feel like others are better than I am, in fact, when in search for a job, I have been able to perform the same level of work or at times even better than those who are seen as the "elite". Always prove to yourself and prove to others that just because we are Hispanic it does not mean that we are lesser, or that we don't have the potential. Be proud of yourself, and let others see this. If others notice that you don't have yourself in high respect, then they too will not respect you and treat you like you deserve to be treated. Educate yourself, as you are doing until now. Be involved, let others know that you count and that you too have a voice. But overall, never put yourself down, you are worth a lot, we were all created the same way just in different colors and sizes. So keep trying hard Yoliy, and surely you will succeed in today's society!