Breaking the Status Quo: A Personal Reflection on Identity, Stereotypes, and the Fight for Change

This past weekend was a busy one. Between donating, celebrating my nephew’s birthday, and making time to hang out with new friends, I barely had a moment to myself. As I moved from one activity to the next, I realized how crucial it is to carve out time for myself. Lately, it seems that my own company has become the most important, perhaps because it’s in those quiet moments that I can truly reflect on my experiences and the world around me.

One of the reflections that hit me hard this weekend is how tired I am of the status quo that surrounds me. Whether it’s in the workplace or in my social circles, I see too many people who are afraid to stand up and speak out for themselves. This observation made me think more deeply about my own journey and the challenges I’ve faced—and continue to face—as a Honduran woman living in the United States.

My journey to becoming a U.S. citizen wasn’t easy. I only received my green card in 2018, and by 2023, I proudly became a U.S. citizen. However, even with this achievement, I can’t escape the stigma that society has created about me. You see, because I come from Honduras, there are certain expectations—or rather, lack of expectations—placed upon me. People often don’t expect me to speak multiple languages or to be educated. These assumptions are frustrating and exhausting to deal with on a daily basis.

It’s particularly disheartening because, in many ways, I don’t fit the stereotypical image that people might have. My skin is white, which leads me to wonder: if I were dark-skinned, would the prejudice I face be even worse? In the U.S., prejudice isn’t a one-way street. It works in multiple directions, with minorities often pitted against whites and, even more tragically, minorities pitted against each other.

What’s even more troubling is how deeply ingrained these stereotypes are. The rhetoric that Americans and Europeans have historically created about developing countries—rhetoric used to justify conquest, colonization, and destruction—still permeates our society today. It’s so deeply embedded that many people don’t even realize when they are acting upon these biases.

But here’s the thing: I refuse to let this status quo continue unchallenged. I refuse to be silent in the face of ignorance and prejudice. I believe it’s time for all of us—regardless of our backgrounds—to stand up, speak out, and challenge the stereotypes that hold us back. We need to create a world where people are seen for who they truly are, not where they come from or what they look like.

This is my commitment: to fight against the stereotypes and biases that still exist in our society, and to help create a world where everyone is valued for their unique contributions. It won’t be easy, but change never is. And as I continue on this journey, I hope to inspire others to do the same.