They all want me to correspond to whatever notion of being a Latino they created or were handed down, but they are not expecting me to break beyond it. To represent is also to be deprived of choices, to be afraid of not being what is acceptable by others' expectations. It is also the fear of disappointing the group that considers me their own. By choice I am a feminist and students are often scared by the mere mention of the word. By nature I am outspoken and strong.
Students find that intimidating, or so they say.
I am supposed to be. They may want me to be a Latina, but they do not always want me to be a Latina feminist, they get scared by it. When I rebel against something or align myself with other women, people doubt me as a pure Latina. Or they question my having come here in the first place. Among other things, I sense that everyone expects me to be grateful for being here, thankful for having the opportunity to be far from my dangerous third world home.