Be The Change

What good are we if we only seem to fall into the stereotype others have set in place for us?


Whether it is social, economic or political, we as individuals should aspire for more.

I’d hate to be that Black Latina society paints out as this uneducated, teen mom on welfare. It has gone on for several decades and only seems to be worsening. The culprit? We are.

This is only an example of a stereotype others have given us, maybe not realizing that “we” are not all grouped into one category.

These thoughts came into my mind as I was grocery shopping today.

An older Hispanic woman was in the frozen food section shopping with her grandson.

She asked for my help on reading the sale ads and choosing the correct product.

As we walked through the refrigerated section I couldn’t help but notice all the unhealthy choices she made. The first were French fries she asked about and I am guilty of the same as many of us are, they are easy and simple. The second were those little lunchable meals that kids seem to love. Yes frozen and convenient I attest to buying them a few times, but what real nutritional value can come from them. But the third and most shocking to me was, White Castle burgers. Speechless. I am by no means judging anyone who eats this, but White Castle as with any fast food business is meant to be just that, fast food. Why would this be a product in the super market? Yes I know, maybe people love them so much they want to eat them at home as well, but it just did not sit well with me.

Granted she was an older woman and most likely set in her ways, but through all the years should there not have been a line drawn.

Then there’s the other harsh reality in the back of all our minds, the unhealthy items that are placed in these inner city, predominantly Black and Hispanic neighborhoods, giving us the option to eat this garbage.

I for one have been guilty of traveling to another borough just to purchase fresher healthier options, but am not proud of it. It is a shame that we have to go through such measures to maintain our health. This said supermarket where I met this woman was not the nearest to my home either. Let’s put it this way en route from my house to the supermarket I pass about four other supermarkets that I rather not go to.

But this also goes back to being the change you want to see in YOUR neighborhood.

How can we continue to complain about the problem but not offer a solution?