What does being Latine mean to you? That’s the question that we asked our Instagram community and their responses really got us thinking.

There is so much to love about being Latino – from our community and our familia, to our cultura and our resilience, our drive to be better and work harder to reach not just our dreams, but the dreams of our pápis and our abuelos too. There is no single definition of what being Latino/Latina/Latine means, and, as expected, where we fall on the Latinidad spectrum varies depending on each one of us. That being said, there is no wrong way to be a Latino or to feel Latinidad, and we hope that these answers give you the courage to accept it, embrace it, and carry it proudly.

But first, the response that left our jaw on the floor:

“I consider myself Indigenous Latinx. I have a trilingual experience growing up with listening and speaking a mixture of Mixtec, Spanish and English #indigenouslatinx” – @jeanettejaguar.

Wow Jeanette! That is so beautiful, thank you for sharing with us. If you ever want to talk to us about your Mixtec cultura and your upbringing let us know, we’re all ears!

Being Latine means embracing the skin you’re in…

“Being a Latino means I’m beautifully brown.” – @pepelokz

“Means brown is beautiful! Was taught at a young age the girls who had brown skin, brown eyes, and brown hair like me were the prettiest. 💕” – @_cynnreneerose

…and not letting anyone tell you how you should or shouldn’t feel.

“It means being unapologetically brown and proud and not letting other oppress our culture and beliefs 👏🏽” – @_ottootto_

“always persevering and continuously learn about ones culture or cultures as to not repeat the same mistakes of the past! I’m a proud Mutt of Mexican born parents! Never have I denied my culture and being what I am I would gladly die fighting then on my knees ✊🏼🇲🇽” – @immanuel_rosa

Some people have trouble feeling accepted

“Ni de aquí, ni de allá” – @marcela.nog19

“Being a Latina is being unsure if it’s okay to claim being Latina. It means fear of being rejected by both cultures that make up my being. It means to laugh at myself as being white wash so that i can pretend it doesn’t hurt when I hear from family and friends around me. It means to constantly be looking for my roots because neither groups want to claim me.” – @miszjean

First of all, whoever made you feel like you weren’t enough is projecting their own beliefs onto you! You said it yourself, both cultures make up your being. You are not either/or, you are BOTH, and that’s something that’s within you, regardless of what other people have to say. Do whatever makes you feel more secure in your identity; if it’s not knowing enough about your cultura that you are self conscious of, all the knowledge in the world is just a Google search away. There’s always going to be people telling you what to do and how you should feel, but that’s their problem, you are supported and loved and you are accepted just the way you are, and if you don’t think so, keep reading to check out Ana Martinez’s answer a little further below.

“Well I feel like I am not living up the standards of being resilient. I am struggling to get my career or studies done, I just feel overwhelmed about the pressures of being an immigrant, disabled, and with chronic issues. I don’t know how my grandma did it coming from a indentured farming family to a businesswoman in her prime time in Mexico- considering that she was not a white woman or a criollo or from a rich family. I am very tired of fighting. I am exhausted. I don’t think I represent anything of Latinx/Latina/Latine, but my grandma DOES represent that. 🇲🇽🌻” – @pandapanda_26

It’s not fair for us to compare our obstacles and challenges to those of anyone else, especially our parents’ and abuelos’. Granted, sometimes it’s hard not to, especially when we consider the lives they led and the sacrifices they were forced to make along the way, but we’re never going to feel like what we do is enough if we’re always comparing ourselves to them. It’s hard not to feel intimidated when things seem to go wrong or when things get tough but mija, you’re doing amazing! Growth is hard and uncomfortable and sometimes we fall but the most important thing is that we pick ourselves up and keep going. That’s exactly what we saw when we read your response: someone who has overcome many challenges and is tired af but is still here, growing and learning and echandole ganas. Think about a time when you overcame something you thought you wouldn’t. See? You can do anything as long as you actually try, your abuelita’s blood is in you, and you cannot fail. *Sending you a big virtual hug*

There is so much of Latinidad to be proud of.

“Being super proud!” – @sarahi_rueda

“Being Latina means being proud of your culture, and being a princess and a warrior.” – @j98oo

“What being Latina means to me: you have the upmost knowledge and first hand experience of struggles( it be family, self, work) getting by just to stay afloat(financially, emotionally, physically) but most importantly the exposure and lessons embedded in us by our adult leaders(parents/ guardians/grandparents) in our life. But on the other side of that coins what makes us Latinas unique is beside all of the above we still are shown how to hard workers, humble, and resilient.” – @tati_rivas90

“It means I love to dance. It means family will always be the most important thing in the world to me. It means I might sound like a gringa to some pero the spanish comes out real quick when im angry, smitten by a cute dog, or in other situations I better not say. It means I belong to a group of people they act like they can’t see. It means I have to explain myself to my white boyfriend over and over again. It means every time I go back home to miami a part of me that’s always empty gets filled. It means vallenatos, mi abuelita, My finca in colombia, the navidades that can never be the same again ❤️” – @saraamayaaa

At the end of the day, remember that where we are born does not determine who we are.

“It means that just because we were born in the 🇺🇸.. being children of a Mexican immigrants… we are Latinos” – @anamartinez67

We hope that you are feeling just as inspired by these responses as we are.

Notice any needed corrections? Please email us at corrections@wearemitu.com

There’s no question: from the moment we’re born, our parents dream of the day we walk across the stage with a diploma of any variety. Education is everything, and this graduation season, we’re loving all the creative grad cap decorations that Latinas are designing to express themselves.

Congratulations to the Class of 2019!

“First generation graduate making her parents extremely proud.” We can all agree that she is definitely making her parents proud. Just look at the smiles on their faces. Those are the biggest smiles you’ll see on a Latino parent’s face.

We’re excited to see you walk, too, mija.

The whole community is feeling #proudmom vibes as we see Latinos beat the odds and earn their bachelor degrees. Even more challenging and gratifying is seeing Latinas become educated AF.

Daughters of immigrants are penning emotional thank you letters to their parents.

“Mami y papi ???? thank you for your patience and encouragement. As the first in my family to attain a bachelors degree it’s been the most frustrating and rewarding process. I spent so many nights crying over the piles of bills and exam grades I made. My experience is different than most and I am proud to say I have grown through it all. Gracias por mis alas ???????? “

Because it’s no secret that Latino parents have to sacrifice triple to get their kids an equal education to white America.

“And I’m officially done ✊???? thank you to everyone for all the nice comments and most importantly thank you to my parents for making the biggest sacrifice of leaving everything they know for me. Without even knowing the language they managed to create a whole life here. I hope I made I made you proud ????”

Their kids are taking their moment on the stage to broadcast an important message about immigration.

It’s all for this one moment that many other parents and grads might take for granted. The grad cap has become a signature move for grads to raise awareness for the immigrant struggle.

This graduate shared how her family had to separate to give her the opportunity for a better life.

“Who are these people: ❤️
Due to life circumstances and the love my parents had for my brother and I, they had to make difficult decisions. My brother and I were left under the care of these loving people when mom left. My grandparents (center photo) and my uncle. They raised us to practice the most important things about humanity: kindness, love, giving to others in need, service, an attitude of gratitude, spirituality, and much more.”

First generation graduates are walking in style.

“For my parents and grandparents! If it wasn’t for them- none of this would have been possible! Gracias… Si Se Pudo!!!! Los Amo!!!! ❤️ ???? ???????? ???????? ????????‍???? ???? So much sacrifice for this very moment! I am proud to say that I am a first generation college graduate!!! Gracias!!!”

Undocugrads are making an even bigger statement by going public with their momentous accomplishment.

“I’m annoying I know but got more pics because ITS TODAY!! thankful for Meredith and the family I have created because of it. It’s been a long and crazy journey but I leave college a better person. I have been so blessed with a community filled with love and support who believed in me even when I couldn’t. This is because of them, and for them.”

The hard work for students is worth it to make their parents proud.

It’s no secret that education is everything to Latino parents. It’s been statistically proven that among demographics, Latinos value education more than almost any other ethnicity.

We know it wouldn’t be possible without our parents and their sacrifices.

Including that little Pomeranian dog who seems to be at the top of that collage pyramid. ????

Even las madres have been sharing their emotional journey to get their kids to the stage.

“I hand painted these caps personally for my children. I had my two babies at a very young age. But I fought against the statistics of being a young Latino mom and not only graduated from high school but graduated from college as well. My son graduated in 2017 & on Thursday my baby girl graduates. This was a long tough road for the 3 of us but it’s not over. I can’t wait to attend Lizzy’s college tour in June and send her off in to the world as I did her brother.”

This Latina gave tribute to her parents alongside Selena, AOC and other feminists.

“Glad I got to spend Mother’s Day with my heroes!! Better yet, I was blessed enough to have them with me while I walked on stage at graduation… a day I often thought was impossible. Me puse las pilas y con tu ayuda, este sueño se hizo posible ????????????????”

While others are owning up to all facets of their chingonidad.

“???????????????????????????????? pero ℭ????????????????????????????! Por mi mami y papi!” Way to go, mija! We are all so proud of you!

We love this lotería inspired cap!

You’re winning. You’re really winning, @jjacquelinecampos. Look at our babies grow!

The Mexicana pride is everything we need right now.

“Vuela alto sin olvidar de donde vienes// Fly high without forgetting where you came from ✊???????? Gracias a mis padres ????. Graduation is 1 week away!”

This grad’s mom hates her grad cap. ????

“Graduation day is almost here! It’s starting to hit me that I’m not going to be seeing the same people again like I’m used to. I’m starting to hit “the last of” things like meetings and study sessions. Idk my emotions are every where right now. Also my mom hates my grad cap. Oh well. ????????‍???? “

Some Latinas are making a full-fledged business out of designing grad caps for the Latinx community.

We’re here for any Latina starting their own business, especially when it’s directly lifting up other Latinas. Check out @sushiq80 for some of her designs.

@facepaintbymangandii is creating beautiful caps for this year’s grads.

So if you’re not the creative type but there’s no way you’re walking across that stage without sending a message to the haters, your familia or the pedestrian xenophobe, you have options.

Al fin, graduation day is for all the Latino parents out there who made el sueño la realidad

“Para mis padres, llegaron sin nada y me dieron todo.”???????????? “For my parents, they arrived with nothing and gave me everything.”

Felicidades to all the grads.

Future Biology Teacher ???????????? I’ll be teaching your children ????????‍???? 

The time has come for y’all to take over the world.

Whether you’re trying to become the first Latina CEO at a company and give access to other Latinas, or become a teacher and show young Latinas an exemplary example for their future, we support you. Go get that happiness your whole family has worked so hard for.

READ: Here Is Some Inspiration For Your Own AOC-Themed Graduation Cap For The Powerful Chingonas Graduating

Notice any needed corrections? Please email us at corrections@wearemitu.com