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Cultural Conflict: Being Too Polite
One of the great dilemmas we encounter is aligning our upbringing and culture with the expectations of the mainstream–especially in a conservative field like the law. Cultural conflicts often demand that we change our behavior so that those in charge find it easier to accept us. But as the current VP says–that’s a bunch of malarkey! Before we opt to make changes, it’s important to analyze and decide why we have to change just so that systems of power feel comfortable around us. Easier said than done! Instead, many times we just opt to play by the rules to get just an inch ahead–even if the rules don’t seem logical, fair, or natural to us.…
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Are You the Interpreter?
I’m a huge fan of TV and am always excited about the new fall line-ups. I am doubly excited this year that a new show starring a very funny Latina comedian will be on ABC. Cristela Alonzo will play a law student, and that makes me excited to think that perhaps there will be a storyline on t.v. with which I can actually relate! One scene that immediately struck a chord with me was the promo where a white woman misidentifies Cristela repeatedly (around the 30 sec mark). First, as the cleaning crew; then as support staff. The punch line happens when the lady asks Cristela (who she assumes to be…
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About Us!
Hello! Welcome to Latinas Uprising! This is a community for new and aspiring attorneys seeking to excel in the legal field. Latinas make up less than 2% of legal professionals in the United States. To even be admitted into law school, Latinas must overcome more social, cultural, and systemic barriers than other social groups. No doubt, it is a tough journey to a J.D.! Latinas Uprising is here to guide you through the higher education maze; give you tools to overcome the systemic barriers in law school; help you navigate the cultural conflicts you experience with family as you embark on a new career; and equip you with practical knowledge…
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FAQ
Why is this needed? Latinas are part of the fastest-growing and largest minority group in the United States, but compose only 1.3% of the legal profession. Our lack of representation is due to myriad of obstacles that we encounter that deter us from even getting to law school. Before law school, many of us had to overcome many barriers, including– poverty; the limitations imposed by acculturation; an unsupportive educational system; as well as rigid social customs and gender roles that rarely empower us to join this profession. Once we’re in school, we often face subtle and blatant racism, sexism, micro-aggressions, and behavior that make us question our own worth. Many…
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The Mission Statement
Latinas Uprising was born from the frustration of visiting mainstream internet communities that discussed being a lawyer or a women professional or even a female lawyer, but never seemed to take into account the experiences we have as Latinas. We often hear that women make around 70 cents to the man’s dollar, but that’s actually the statistic for white women. Latinas make 55 cents to the man’s dollar. That type of disparity will create an entirely different experience that is just not being discussed in mainstream communities. Why aren’t we included? We consist of the largest growing minority group in the U.S. and are a huge consumer group. We are…
