my own perception

I don't know if this semester long project has heightened my Hispanic stereotype, but this weekend while out with friends and talking about casual things, the topic of hair arose (yes hair) and I found myself defending my opinion that long hair isn't always prettier - I noticed myself becoming defensive, while backing up my opinion that everyone has long hair thus my reason for keeping it at a medium/short length. I then went on to say, that I myself don't want to give in to the 'typical stereotypes' of Hispanic/Latinas: long hair, hips, short, curvy... I was telling my friends how I try as much as possible to defy all of those stereotypes. [This is me being very candid, virally] Now that I realize this correlation between the two, it goes further than my hair... I've said time and again that I think that a slimmer body is more elegant therefore more beautiful - also going against my own genes and own physical attributes. It became so much more clear this weekend of how much I allow my life to be consumed by constant battles against 'physical' perceptions. I need to read beyond the lines of the sources that I've used for my research project and apply the powerful, headstrong voices of proud Hispanic women all around.