I want to use my last column to address those of you who have mistakenly thought that all I’ve done with the space is write about being Latin. I, for one, hate to labor under any misapprehension, so to cure you of this misinformed opinion, I’d like to say: Boo boo, you ain’t neva seen me write about being Latin.

Believe it or not, I’ve shied away from writing anything with the specific intent of writing about “being Latin” because I don’t know what that means. To avoid looking like more of an idiot, I’ve only ever tried to write about what it’s like being me. I know it seems near impossible that a NU student would plead ignorance about anything, but I’m going to be the brave one and do it.

When working on past columns, I’ve tortured myself and others around me, constantly trying to please everyone and represent myself in the proper way. I mean, when you’re Latin, and as involved with minority issues as I am, no one can help but assume that you’re an ambassador for all that is Hispanic and good in the world.

But even after all of my struggling, I’ve still managed to piss off any number of people because my writing about being Brown has gotten old and, gosh, can’t I just quit it. Or because I’m exposing flaws within the community to the university at large and how dare I divide our community any further?!

I’m going to throw your same Internet comments back at you homes: Seriously, are you kidding me?

Some people only see that there’s a girl who can’t stop writing about being stereotypical and Latin, but why can’t anyone see the problem that I’m the only Latino voice to get serious weekly play? Or that I’m the only one talking about these 600 odd students who are part of the Wildcat community?

And others who think I’m misrepresenting the Latin community… what does that even mean? Constructions like “Latino Community,” “Latino Vote” and “Latino Experience” confuse me so much because they’re impossible to define. There is no one experience, no one community nor one way to vote for a group made up of different nationalities, socio-economic backgrounds and experiences.

I can already imagine the kind of flak I’m gonna catch because of the above, so let me just say that I believe in Hispanic/Latino Student Affairs and its purpose. I have no problem with the concept that there are groups dedicated to bringing Latinos together because we, as a diverse group of peoples, do indeed have some things in common. I just have trouble with the idea that because of our shared interests we’ve fallen into the trap of thinking of ourselves (and letting others think of us) as homogenous.

Goodness forbid I reveal that some of us feel marginalized by our peers. Or that sometimes some of us forget that there are other groups and events to think of besides our own. Or that we don’t all think the same and that sometimes some of us are a little ridiculous. Or that, yes, sometimes I’m in the mood for a greasy-ass taco.

Deuces my babies. God bless me, and help you all, if you didn’t get it.