Latinidad in Portland
Cristina Gonzales
Gonzales Wine Company
"For me, this is about identifying myself as a strong, confident, Latina business woman and mother. I have struggled through my life with my identity as a Latina. Feeling lost because I was never 'white enough' or 'brown enough', growing up surrounded by Spanish language & Mexican but never learning the language until I went to college. Constantly feeling like I was search fr my culture and connection. As a mother now seeing that in my son, born in Mexican being raised in American and losing his native tongue because he's not exposed to his culture or language as much anymore"
-Cristina Gonzales, 44 y Julian Samora-Gonzales 9
Mexican American y Chiapaneco
Yvonne Perez Emerson
Herbalista, Maker, Medicine Woman
"I wanted to show the diverse aspects of Latine. I am called to work with plants, spirits, and energies and I believe the women in my lineage both Mexican & Scottish are a big part of who (I) am and what drives me. My Latina heritage has always been apart of my spiritual path and who I am as a medicine woman."
-Yvonne Perez Emerson, 58
Latina, Tamalupia Mexico y Scottland
Nanci Carrera
RUBIELA'S JELLY CAKE DESIGNER
"Soy una mujer Latina con grandes sueños que a mi corta edad me gusto mucho la docencia pero por falta de recursos mi sueño me orillo a emigrar al país de las oportunidades que desde el primer dia me acogió y alo largo de estos 25 años ha visto mi crecimiento emocional y moral, ahora no solo estoy enfocada en mis propias metas, sino también ayudo a otras mujeres a alcanzar sus sueños enseñándoles lo maravilloso que es la repostería a través de mis cursos presenciales que desarrolló para la comunidad, esta, soy yo chef: Nanci Carrera de Rubiela's Jelly Cake Creations."
-Nanci Carrera Rubiela's Jelly Cake Designer, 44 :
Guerrence Mexicana
Paula
Paula Gueuara, Self-Care Studio
"I want to remember and prioritized my Costa Rican roots, while I live as a minority in another country"
-Paula, 44
Costa Rican
Jenn
Arte Valioso
"We, as Latinos are like artwork. No matter (what) stage of life we are in, no two are the same. 'Somos Arte Vlioso!!' "
-Jenn 33
Salvadorian, Nicaraguan
Roman Dominguez
True North
"Since I can remember I’ve thought that Reality TV was super interesting. You can learn so much about emotions, relationships/friendships and growth. As I got older I realized that there wasn’t any show that represented my struggles, community and culture. I decided to change that by making my own reality show called “True North.” I believe it’s important to have representation in every filed but especially in Entertainment. We want to feel like we aren’t alone when we are going through struggles or challenges. The more people that look like us on TV the more people will understand us, culture and a struggles."
-Roman Dominguez, 24
Mexican
Lorena
Brown Pride
“Soy Chicana.
Soy Mexicana.
I am indigenous
I am Strong
I am an Activist
I am a Soldera“
-Lorena, 38
Indigenous, Mexicana, Chicana
Mara
Metas, here I go. lO QUE SIGUE
"La manera que perauo este proyecto es justo lo que dice tener una representacion como comunidad. Puvami esta imagen quiero que represente que sigue para mi en la vida. Llegue aqui con unolan que desararecio. Asi vamos a lo que sigue."
-Mara, 41
Monterey Mexicana
“I wanted to be a part of this because I'm a professor, business owner, and a bad ass. I'm also a queer Indigenous designer born and raised in Portland“
-Ori
Guatemalan, Indigenous
Queer
"Being a light skin Indigenous Mexican-American activist I never felt like I fit in either community but as I got older and finding myself I realized I am what runs through my veins and emerged myself in my roots with pride. I will pass down now what I've learned and am proud to be who I am. Soy una Chican/Xicana con orgullo."
-Melissa, 38
Chicana
Xicana
“!Somos familia! Nuestras hijas se enfrentas a un mundo lleno de contradicciones. Queremos que crescan libres, empoderadas, protegidas, y llenas de amor.“
-Claudia, Mama con hijas Munay Kenti y Illa Sisa y Caro, Madrina
Peruanas
Amor
“Proud to be Mexcan and to be part of a large Latinx community. (The) Latinx community holds true joy to be comfortable around those who are like me - we have a strong future as a cultura to grow and become stronger“
-Pedro, Eyalia, Jessica
Mexican
La Familia Martinez
"We see each other, we are here, working, living, and loving together in PDX
Nos vemos y conocemos, estamos aqui, trabajando, vivendo, y queriendonos en PDX"
-Orlando, 25 y Riley, 33
Mexicano, Chicana, Latine
LOS QUERIDOS
"Redefining Latina single moms, breaking the stigma, you can be a single mom and a boss The most important part is the 'Ponte las pilas' and just show up"
-Dunia, 27
Guatemalan Indigenous
DUNIA
"I believe that we all deserve to shine and be proud of who we are and where we come from. Often times (I) shy away from take the spotlight but I think it is important for us to take pride in our community, culture, and achievements."
-Mitzi, 30
Mexican, Latina, Oaxaca
BRILLA EN TODO MOMENTO
"We are a passionate, adventurous, vivacious, Mexican-American Puerto Rican Portlandia, Family. We are luchadores and proud of our ancestors and the legacy we continue."
-Paula, Lance, Octavio-9, Orlando-4, Ontario-3
Mexican-American & Puerto Rican
FAMILIA INMAN -MANZO BALANZAR
"Breaking generational trauma. Your pain can turn into purpose love doesn't have to hurt. When your pour into the seeds your sow the fruit of your labor will return to you that love with nutrients that is good for the soul."
-Yvette Zavala, 35
Mexican, Chicana, Latine
ADVOCATE, PODEROSA, JEFA, CHINGONA
“My name is Alexis. I am a transracial adoptee from Bolivia, raised by a white family in a very white town.
I have recently started healing the break from my Lain roots and culture through new friendships with other South American adoptees, and Latinx folx in the Portland area. I am participating in this project for my inner child and for folks (including myself) who feel 'not Latin enough'. This is me! A kind a curious babe who is learning every day how to undue the whitewashing I had been exposed to and to connect with my authentic self. “
-Alexis, 45
Bolivian Rising
Alexis, La Boliviana
Veronica, Henry, y Liam
The Gameros Family
"Primera generacion de emigrantes dejando toda su famila en Mexico. Aprendiendo una nueva vida mejor para mis hijos.
Super chingosisima saliendo a del ante!"
-Veronica, Henry, Liam
Mexicana Tijuanense
Mario Mesquita
Guerrero Silencioso
"Born and raised in Oregon, we came here, we been here, and we're here to stay and make moves.
5th generation or 1st generation soy de aqui y de alla. I got the best of both worlds. Here to support and be artist, mover, activist, educator, and cultural promoter.
We'll be making waves."
-Mario Mesquita, 41
Chicano, Mexican, Queer, Artist, Activist,
Educator, and Cultural promoter
Jenn & Rosie
Amor De Madre
"I stand here representing the single Latina mothers who choose to parent differently than generations before us. Choosing to connect with our children in ways that support ending generational trauma and promote effective communication allowing stronger connections and bonds. Connecting with our children in ways where we guide and teach them while still keeping our Salvadorian & Nicaraguan traditions as part of our identity. No somos nuestra trama somos las valientes mujeres que segan adelante! Al mismo tiempo somos madres crescendo hijos con amor."
-Jenn & Rosie
Salvadorian & Nicaraguan
Maida
I am reborn
"For a long time I've been told to hide who I was to so called "protect" me from harm. But no matter where I went I was a Latina and I was peoples expectations. But I'm me. I love my roots, I love our food, and I focus with anime.
I'm me.
Yo Soy, Latina."
-Maida, 37
Ecuadorian, Latina
VenDetta
Luxurious
"I want to create visibility for darker skinned Latine individuals. We exist, and are as much a part of the culture as our lighter skinned gente. Media tries to erase us, but I will take up space, and give space to others, so we are seen."
-VenDetta, 42
Afro-Latine
Natania Katarina
La Bruja
"My identity has always been questioned: 'What are you?'. I don't fit stereotypical views of what a Latina looks like, but I am Latina. I'm proud of my family, their sacrifice, and it's important to me to lend my voice + person to amplify we're not a monolith. My abuela helped raised me- rooted in integrity, I carry those values and the weight of my family history every day. And I'm proud!"
-Natania Katarina, 42
First Gen. Cuban French
Kara Mae
Soy Yo
"Like a lot of American born Chicanas, I live more between worlds than inhabiting just one. The joys and pains that go along with both."
-Kara Mae, 40's
Mexican-American
Carolina
Caro
"As I notice myself getting older - all the changes happening to my body - I am conscious that I don't want to miss any of it or deny it.
In this patriarchal culture, where women disappear as they get older, I won't disappear."
-Carolina, 44
Peruvian
Zeek
Zeek
"Upon learning about the ¡Soy Yo! project, I promptly enrolled my son, Zeek, recognizing it as a valuable platform to showcase and empower Hispanic children with disabilities. Over his 11 years, my husband and I have forged meaningful connections within the special needs community, engaging with numerous supportive families and participating in various advocacy organizations. While these groups provide vital resources and events for families like ours, we've observed a noticeable absence of Hispanic representation. Despite our efforts to reach out and support Hispanic parents, language barriers often impede their access to these valuable resources and opportunities. Our aspiration is for other families with children facing disabilities to see Zeek and feel acknowledged. We hope his presence will inspire and embolden them to engage with the support networks and resources available to them."
-Zeek 11
Latino
Raqi Hurtado
Raqi
"I wanted to be a part of this project as a way to show being gender fluid within the Latinx community, as well as being fluid within my identity as a Latinx person."
-Raqi Hurtado, 38
Chicano, Mexican, Cuban
Multi-image collages
20x24 Aluminum Print
20x24 Aluminum Print
40x60 Aluminum Print
40x60 Aluminum Print
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