Nora Turriago ’16 studies history and government at neighboring Smith College. An established media contributor, she authored Huffington Post’s “The Top Five Myths About Attending an All-Women’s College.” Since July, the piece accumulated over 2,000 likes. Of Colombian and Italian ancestry, she also penned Thought Catalog’s “How to Know You Are Racially Ambiguous.” She currently studies abroad in Barcelona, where she hopes to sharpen her knowledge of Spanish (“a work in progress” as she puts it.)
Less than 2% of women consider single-sex universities. Why do you think your HuffPo article appealed to so many?
I think the article was well received because while there are plenty of articles stating the benefits about attending an all-women´s college, few directly address the various stereotypes of such an institution. The style of writing I used for this article–informal, with humor–also made it, I think, a more enjoyable read and helped further communicate the sense of utter exasperation in dealing with these stereotypes.
What tips can you recommend for “getting in the heads” of your audience and expanding viewership? Profile the typical person who reads your work, for example.
If you write what you are truly interested in and do so in an engaging manner, readers will be drawn to the article. As for expanding viewership: sharing on social media can do wonders. I think the typical person who reads my work is a college student, as much of what I write about is more relevant for those around the same age as me.
You declared concentrations in history and government. What drove you to select those two?
I selected history from the start because I find it really fascinating: history explains why things are the way they are. If I want to better understand a situation, history is the gateway to understanding the various factors that caused something–be it a social movement, a demographic, a set of legislation-to exist and, perhaps, prevail. I’m focusing on women’s history, as I am learning information that simply isn’t talked about or mentioned in mainstream textbooks or even in connection to the concept of “history.” I’m a government minor, and I chose this because I’m interested in politics and understanding governmental structures and policies around the world. The two together make a great combo: with my government classes, I’m learning about the overarching frameworks of legislation and regulations enacted by a select few. With history, I learn how those governmental regulations impact the lives of everyday people.
You write for many popular publications like Elite Daily and Thought Catalog. Judging by the reach of these sites, you seem to expertly connect with peers.
Many frustrations, awkward experiences, or life enjoyments we have had individually have also been shared by a multitude of others. So, a concise, easy-to-read article that successfully summarizes the experience (hopefully with a dash of humor!) can be easy to relate to for many readers, especially if it is directed to a specific audience, such as those in their 20s, college students, those who are racial ambiguous, et cetera.
Your Thought Catalog article took a lighter approach to race relations. How do you typically handle racially charged social blunders?
It depends: is this person truly trying to insult the racial group I´m part of? Or, are they merely lacking the proper terminology and knowledge to discuss this topic? If it is just a harmless, awkward misunderstanding, I’ll usually offer a quick laugh and then set the record straight.
You talk in-depth about the experience of a “racially ambiguous” person. How does that affect the way others treat you, if it does?
When people meet me for the first time, it is not uncommon for them to immediately inquire “what” I am. From this, it is interesting to observe the need to perhaps categorize a person and–as in my case–if it’s hard to tell what racial/ethnic group I fall into, well, something must be done about it! I also am often “exoticized” a lot because of my mixed background and am supposed to be pleased by this supposed “compliment.”
I understand you are of dual Colombian and Italian ancestry. Where did you grow up, and how did the surrounding environment shape your cultural identity?
I grew up in Amherst, MA- a small town best known for its universities, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, and liberal mentality. Although the town and school system always discussed and advocated for diversity and respecting various cultural backgrounds, it did not change the fact that in many of my after school clubs and AP classes, I was consistently one of the few brown faces in such an environment. In terms of my cultural identity: I have always felt 100% American. I was born in the US, English is the only language I speak fluently, and while I am Colombian and Italian, I really have no strong connection or even knowledge of these cultures.
What long-term goals are you currently working towards?
To continue gaining more experience in writing, learn more about advocating for women’s rights, and increase my knowledge of US foreign policy and international relations.
Lastly, could you name an interesting personal fact few friends know?
I have kept a journal since kindergarten!