Cambria Martin

I can not begin to introduce myself without expressing my culture, identity, languages, experiences, and my hope and passion for more accurate representation of Latin Americans within not only the media in the United States, but globally.

With being a proud first generation Mexican-American, I hope to be able to have more Latin American stories and voices presented in the media, nationally and internationally, so that out image is not only limited to stereotype. We do not have to be exclusively shown on Spanish speaking programs that don't have a global audience of non-Spanish speaking Latinos and other residents of the globe. I selfishly want more accurate Latin American representation because of how I never saw myself represented in media, nor saw any iteration of my family with our immense diversity since Latin America is truly a diverse place with a history and culture that is not being expressed accurately in the Untied States. More positive change needs to happen so that the internalized oppression of Latin America and Latinos does not continue and so that there is not this self-rewarding cycle from the media of the United States not supporting the great good of Latin America and only wanting power boosts.

More inclusive stories need to be told by different types of Latin Americans because we are not all one thing: we all don't speak the same languages because of how there is an extensive history of indigenous cultures still remaining in Latin America, and because of nations and populations being from different parts of the world that have immigrated to Latin America from other places. These stories can't only be pushed towards our own population, but towards the global population so that our story can really be told and truly heard.

I may only be an undergraduate at Pace University, but I am not taking this time I have for granted when being able to have opportunities and access to New York when my parents, grandparents, and so many nameless ancestors have worked hard for me to be able to have this privilege and opportunity. I want to see my family and myself reflected in the media that is representing Latin Americans, but I want the truth reflect even more.