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Caption: EN MEDIO Paloma
Caption: Meet Paloma. A Californian whose travels have taken her far from home and now to the Midwest region of the United States. As a kid, she struggled with her Mexican heritage but a trip abroad changed how she viewed herself but also the world around her as well.
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Caption: Paloma and her parents were born in California but the rest of her ancestors were born in Mexico.
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Caption: When she was younger, the term Mexican was not something she thought of favorably.
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Caption: "... I did not like that side of me ... "
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Caption: A trip to Colombia in her senior year of high school was what sold her on the uniqueness of her roots.
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Caption: "When people ask me what my ethnicity is, I just say Mexican."
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Caption: Because of her complexion and frizzy hair, Paloma says she often gets confused for different ethnicities. Her racial ambiguity, whilst fascinating to others also highlights the need for people to place others in categories.
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Caption: There was even the one time she was confused for being Russian.
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Caption: "...this racial ambiguity is kind of an interesting thing, and it brings up some interesting topics."
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Caption: People don't want to be kept guessing, she believes, which is why they are so interested in placing her in a category.
"I think it's mostly so they know where to go from there type of thing." She concludes.
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Caption: "Americans in general ... We are just kind of Cold."
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Caption: "Nobody like makes a scene about anything ... "
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Caption: "Here we are just kinda more reserved and not as touchy-feely and affectionate."
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Caption: "You are so cold ... "
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Caption: Paloma also delved into the illegal immigrant topic. She's not a fan of how it is used and believes it is a racial slur.
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Caption: Thoughts on the American Dream I
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Caption: Thoughts on the American Dream II
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Caption: "I have never viewed being a woman as a disadvantage ... "
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Caption: Paloma's mother has and continues to be a strong female presence in her life.
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Caption: Education has played an important role in making her who she is today. She understands how important education is in empowering women.
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Caption: "A lot of times I feel like I do better than my male counterparts ..."
Caption: For more information on the En Medio project, please visit
Facebook.com/enmedious
Instagram.com/enmedio_u.s
Mkoleosho.com/enmedio
And my personal profile at
Instagram.com/el9th